Parc national de Plaisance

The Zizanie-des-Marais trail is the absolute top must-see of parc national de Plaisance. One kilometre of pathway – including over 400 metres of floating pathway – takes you right to the heart of our marshes teeming with life! You will most certainly spot beaver or muskrat dens along the way if not a great blue heron or red-winged blackbird! The flowering aquatic plants found here in the summer are also a gorgeous spectacle not to be missed.

Come and step into another world! This trail offers you a complete change of scene as it wends its way to the heart of a lush forest. The trail also features over 500 metres of raised walkway on stilts. Located in a section of the park that floods every spring and is normally inaccessible, this raised walkway allows you to visit the splendid Rubaniers marsh.

Whether walking or cycling, your visit to the Perras tower will amaze you! This nest-shaped observation tower is a tribute to the tremendous diversity of the birds that live and reproduce within the park, such as in the Perras marsh. You will be treated to spectacular views of the marsh and the Ottawa River. Bring your binoculars! Starting point: Galipeau house, Thurso sector.

Cyclists will fall in love with the Outaouais bike trail. This 21-kilometre round trip follows the Ottawa River and crosses numerous habitats, including marshes, bays and a majestic stand of silver maple. Have a snack at the baie Dubé picnic area before starting back.

With a vertical drop of nearly 60 metres (higher than Niagara Falls), these falls, also called the Plaisance Falls, are definitely worth a visit. Fear not, however. The idea is not to go down them but rather to paddle along the Petite Nation river to view them from below. This beginner level, 10-kilometre trip takes approximately 3.5 hours and can be done by canoe, kayak or paddleboard. The team’s friendly suggestion: bring a snack! From the base of the falls, a small path leads to a lookout offering breathtaking views.