It was on my mind to write about this walk we did back in early September, on a sunny day but the ground was slippery from rainy days before. The trail is rough. Although it is considered an intermediate – easy hike, it can be difficult for young kids. The park does not allow strollers. It includes a walk along the river, a waterfall and a steep climb uphill. I definitely recommend taking a child carrier backpack, or to hike with older kids.
The path (translation: a veil of the bride) is 2km return leads to Guy lake but part of a whole trail network as it is the starting point for much more challenging trails which we have not done yet. Despite its name, the park has only one waterfall, the 7th.
Address: 4031, chemin Brassard Sud (Route 131), Saint-Zénon, J0K 3N0, QC
Region: Lanaudière, MRC Matawinie
Car: Drive north from Montreal for about 1h45
Entry fees: 6$ for adult, 3.75$ (age 6-17), family 14.5$
Check dates and opening times online
Not suitable for baby strollers – strollers not allowed into the park
Park at the designated parking (parc regional des sept-chutes), walk towards the red house – and pay the park entry fees. There are toilets at the house. The hike ‘Voile de la Mariee’ is marked on the map in red.
The first part of the walk is along a river and it is very narrow and above the water. The day we visited it was very slippery and we used the ropes provided along the way to avoid falling. There are clear signs throughout which divert from the main path for a few meters – in order to view the waterfall from close proximity. There are some wooden bridges and stairs in order to reach the viewpoints.
The walk then continues going uphill, and we were climbing on rocks using the ropes as the path is not groomed in any way. The climb was difficult for my 3-year-old and my husband had to carry her, my 5yo climbed slowly but managed ok. We reached Guy Lake (Lac Guy), we stopped there for a snack, there is one picnic table, but we preferred to be near the water and we enjoyed competing throwing stones inside the small lake.
Most hikers continue from Guy lake for many other loop hikes towards Lac Remi, Mont Barriere (610 meters) or Mont Brassard (650 meters) but for us, with the young kids, it was a good and sufficient walk. We decided to head back to the car, the same way we arrived, slowly, and we enjoyed going downhill!
Quebec Family Hikes 