Parc des Chutes de Sainte Ursule offers great lookouts of the Maskinongé river’s waterfalls. This 2km hiking trail allows you to walk along the waterfalls and to view an impressive 70 meters drop. The hike is considered an intermediate level of difficulty. Picnic areas and a kids’ playground will let you enjoy nature with the strong sound of the streaming water.
Interesting facts about the area:
The waterfalls of Sainte Ursule are the second-highest waterfalls in the area, at 70 meters. First place goes to chutes Montmorency at 84 meters and third place is the well-known Niagra falls at 57 meters. This part of Maskinongé river once had a forestry activity, a sawmill and pulp mill which were active until the beginning of the 1900s.
How to reach the park:
Address: 2575, rang des chutes , Sainte-Ursule, J0K 3M0, QC
Region: Mauricie
Drive about 1h30 north-east from Montreal
Opening time: May to September 2nd – open every day from 9:00 to 17:00.
Entry fees: Adult $7.5, kids 7-17 and seniors $5.5, kids under 6 go free.
Free parking (part of the entry fees)
No restaurant in the park
Picnic tables are available near the reception area and throughout the trail.
Intermediate level of trail – Not suitable for baby strollers (too many stairs)
Before reaching the parking area, stop at this booth to pay the entry fees and receive a bracelet to wear during the hike.
Reception area, head there to ask the staff for information about the trail and receive a hiking map of the area.
Near the reception area, there is a small kids’ playground:
Indications for the hike:
The first part of the trail is near the bridge. We were told by the staff that we can cross the bridge to the other side of the waterfall to access the two viewpoints and then come back as the trail is along the reception side of the waterfalls. The trail’s indications are the letters A to K (please see map), and red arrows.
The park is a bit run down, it needs some work on a few bridges, reception area, facilities, pathways and indication signs but the trail itself is worth seeing.
Great viewpoints with roaring water streams:
We returned back with the bridge and followed the red arrows and letters. This part is along the water stream and the hike is going down and then uphill with lots of stairs to reach another great viewpoint.
This bridge (near the letter G) was closed:
More stairs going downhill:
This point of the hiking trail is reaching the water stream, swimming is forbidden. We relaxed and enjoyed refreshing our feet in the water.
Continuing a few more meters, you will reach the “plage” – beach area. Again, swimming is not allowed.
The path continues uphill in the woods, gaining elevation from the waterfall and reaching the reception area.
We stopped at a nice ice cream place in the nearby city, Louiseville. Near the shop, there is a great playground for kids. Try one of these super tasty ice cream flavours.
Address: Pignon Rouge, 491 Bd St Laurent E, Louiseville, J5V 1J1, QC
Quebec Family Hikes 