Trail that did not make the Book - #2

Gatineau Park features one of the most extensive trail networks of any nature park located close to a major Canadian city. In Hiking Trails of Ottawa, I featured 10 routes inside Gatineau Park, and I could have shown many others. One of those that did not make the book, but which I quite enjoy, is Trail 36, from the P11 parking lot at O'Brien Beach toward the Meech Valley.

This is a wonderful trail at all times of year, but very nice in April and May. Flowers are poking up everywhere, their leaves, more than their blossoms, providing a welcome splash of colour onto the grey and brown forest floor.

Trail 36 is also quite a physically challenging route. Except for a few hundred meters shortly after the parking area, it is almost never level for very long. Hill-climbing - or descending - will be a constant feature of your walk, and a few of these hills are likely to leave you a little short of breath. Expect to feel some ache in your hamstrings when you finish, especially if you neglect to stretch.

But there are many worthwhile sights. Within a kilometer of the start, you cross a bridge over the outflow from Lac Meech. This is almost always a lively place, as the gap is quite narrow and a fair amount of water needs to flow toward the Gatineau River.

About 2.5km into the walk, the path edges around a cove on Meech Lake, passing in front of a private cottage. This is a scenic spot, and is a favourite resting point for those who are enjoying a relaxed weekend amble.

If one is eager to obtain exercise, Trail 36 can be followed to its end at a junction with Trail 50. Turn left, and you will reach either Herridge or Healey shelters, 10km from P11 and providing a respectable 20km return hike.

My choice, usually, is to hike to a bench located on the shore of Meech Lake about 6km from the start. This is an exceptionally tranquil location, and in the summer, a wonderful swimming destination. I hiked here on April 30, and we could hear both loon and wild turkey, and sighted an osprey. (Did not swim yet, however.) After a brief rest and a snack, we retraced our path back to P11.

Do not let the fact that I did not include it in the book deter you. This is a very enjoyable walk, and the main reason I left it out was that once the beach opens in the summer you must pay a fairly substantial fee to use the parking area. My frugal nature triumphed, and I left Trail 36 out of the book.