Seven and a half miles north of Quebec City you’ll find a natural wonder called Montmorency Falls, a waterfall located at the point where the Montmorency River dumps into the St. Lawrence. At 83 meters, the chute trumps Niagara Falls in height. Visiting the waterfall makes for a great half-day excursion from Quebec City. The park can be visited year-round, although it’s important to note that some of the facilities and activities may be closed depending on the season.
Getting There
If driving from Quebec City, Route 440 will take you right to the Station / visitor center and parking lot at the foot of the waterfall. Parking is available for a fee.
For the public transit-savvy traveler, the Réseau de transport de la Capitale (RTC)’s Bus Line 800 leaves from just outside of the Gare du Palais in Quebec City and will take you to the top of the waterfall in about a 30 minute ride.
What to Do There
Walking down the steps to the bottom of the waterfall to take in the views and back up again was enough for me. I had to overcome a crippling fear to be able to descend the 487 stairs to the bottom of the chute – seriously, three different times I turned back and almost left the park before I was able to work up the courage! No words can possibly describe how I felt when I got to the bottom, when I conquered all fear and was able to take in the full beauty of this majesty.
If you’re not a scaredy-cat like me and you’re up for a bit more adventure, the park offers via ferrata rock-climbing and zip-lining over the basin. There is also a cable car that runs between the Station and the Manoir Montmorency at the top of the cliff. These activities are all seasonal, so be sure to check with the Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (Sépaq) for the most up-to-date rates and schedules.
The Manoir Montmorency is a historic manor that you can visit and houses an interpretation center on the history. The current building is a rebuild of the 1751 manor, which burned in 1993. The manor was built by Frederick Haldimand, governor general in chief of Canada. Notable later residents included the Duke of Kent, father of Queen Victoria, and the Patterson family who were pioneers of the forest industry in Quebec.
If you want to make your visit to Montmorency a dining experience, the Manoir offers a classic Sunday brunch and a full-service Terrace Restaurant open for lunch every day seasonally. Or if you need a grab-and-go option, there is a sandwich stand in the Station and a snack bar at the top of the waterfall on the east end of the bridge. Both the Manoir and the Station offer restrooms and gift shops.
Montmorency is near and dear to my heart when it comes to travel experiences. It was one of those experiences where I really found a piece of myself. Whether you’re mastering the stairs like me, ziplining over the waters (*gulp*), or simply taking in the views, maybe you will find part of yourself at Montmorency too!
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