Any one of us can experience an unusual adventure in the heart of the Laurentian forest. The Sentier des cimes – treetop trail – which celebrated its first birthday this summer, has already hosted more than 200,000 individuals of all ages and backgrounds.

All you need is just over an hour to complete this gentle adventure in the boreal forest. For visitors who want to know more, who will stop and absorb the information on the panels which dot the walkway, two hours would be needed. Of course, those free of any time constraints will linger over the several fun-filled balance games and stay for a while at the top of the tower to enjoy a spectacular view of the magical panoramas.

Because this trail is not merely a walkway at treetop level. With its 1,350-metre length, the trail takes walkers along a six percent maximum slope to the summit of this attraction: a panoramic tower 40 metres high. The giant net which covers the middle of the tower invites the most daring to move, their feet on the mesh, some 12 storeys over the void.

Shop and restaurant

Following the hike, visitors can enjoy a wide selection of regional products, souvenirs and gifts at the Sentier boutique. Seated on the terrace, surrounded by magnificent gardens, they can delight in the delicious offerings of the restaurant Chez Émile. And please note that musical, yoga and themed events – their schedule determined by the changing hours of daylight – also punctuate the Sentier des cimes program.

“We are very proud of this first year, both in terms of the quality of the facility and of the exceptional service provided by our employees,” says Nicolas Joly, general manager of EAK Sentiers des cimes.”

Accessibility, the keystone of the Sentier

Equipped with access ramps and an elevator that brings guests to the walkway, the Sentier des cimes can be used and enjoyed by the greatest possible number of people. It’s no surprise that the company has been nominated in the “Accessible tourism” category of the Prix excellence tourisme de l’Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec – the tourism excellence award from the Québec tourist industry alliance’s biggest competition.

“It’s a really lovely recognition,” states Nicolas Joly. “In being 100 percent accessible, our infrastructure allows families to enjoy unusual experiences. Personally, that’s what I’m most proud of,” he confides. “One day, I saw a father push his son, in a wheelchair, right up to the very top of the tower. He then took his son – a young adult with significant physical limitations – in his arms and they lay down side by side on the net. Everyone present was in tears. You could feel that they were experiencing something unique. It was very moving.”

What’s new

Without wanting to reveal too much, Nicolas admits that, “subsequent phases of development are underway.” In the meantime, the Corporation de développement économique des Laurentides (CDE) continues to invest in the site. Play modules made of wood, as well as walking trails, have been added to the tourist infrastructure.

And there’s more. The Maison du Pisciculteur was inaugurated on September 18. This is a musical space dedicated to the history of the former pisciculture – fish farm – in which producers from this area are featured through a gourmet workshop. For the occasion, a podcast was revealed. It allows guests to discover this fabulous destination.

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