Hiking during Hunting Season in the Townships

Updated on Sept 22, 2026

Autumn has arrived and many people wish to take advantage of this time of year to go hiking. Careful though! Many trails in the Eastern Townships are closed during the big game hunting season. Will your favourite trail be open or not this autumn? Here’s a little guide to help you find all the information you’ll need.

Open during Hunting Season

Here is a list of the main hiking trail networks in the Eastern Townships that remain accessible during hunting season:

  • Parc national du Mont-Orford
  • Parc national du Mont-Mégantic
  • Parc national de Frontenac
  • Parc national de la Yamaska
  • Parc régional du Mont-Ham
  • Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook
  • Mont Pinacle in Baldwin Mills (closed during freeze-thaw periods)
  • Parc d’environnement naturel de Sutton
  • Parc écoforestier de Johnville
  • Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises in Magog
  • Parc des Sommets Network in Bromont
  • Parc des montagnards and Parc écologique Jean-Paul Forand in Shefford
  • Sentiers du Morne et de la Maison du Granit
  • Piopolis Trail Network, including Mount Scotch Cap
  • Parc du Mont-Bellevue in Sherbrooke

Closed during Hunting Season

Depending on the sector, the dates reserved for hunting will vary from one year to the next. Therefore, here are some dates indicating when the region’s most popular trail networks will be closed during the autumn of 2026.


©Daphné Caron

Les Sentiers de l’Estrie

The closing dates for this trail network vary depending on the sector. In the Stoke Mountains sector ARE CLOSED :

  • From Rang 8 (Montagne du 10) to Rang 14 (Mount Chapman/Pic Bald) from September 30 to October 9, from October 17 to October 21 and from October 21 to November 22, 2026.

The Village of Kingsbury at the edge of Mont-Orford National Park (km 9) and the Marais Loop on Morin Road ARE CLOSED:

  • From October 3 to November 22, 2026, inclusively

Lac Trousers Hill is CLOSED:

  • From October 3 to 21, 2026
  • From October 31 to November 1, 2026
  • From November 7 to 22, 2026

The trails south of route 112 (mount Singer, Glen, S11 at Mount Foster and Chagnon) ARE CLOSED from:

  • From October 3 to November 22, 2026

*Please note that Mount Foster remains open but is accessible only via the Appalachian Corridor trail (Paramount Road).


©Pierre-Jean Moreau

The Sentiers frontaliers Trails

Trails including the ZEC Louise-Gosford, Mount Gosford sector ARE CLOSED from:

  • Saturday, October 3 to Sunday, October 25, 2026
  • Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 1, 2026
  • Monday, November 7 to Sunday, November 22, 2026

Please note that the trails in the Mount Gosford sector ARE OPEN from:

  • From Saturday, October 3 to Sunday, October 25, 2026
  • From Saturday, October 31 to Sunday, November 22, 2026

Mount Hereford

The Hereford Community Forest hiking and biking trails ARE CLOSED from:

  • Saturday, October 3 to Friday, October 9, 2026 (inclusive)
  • Saturday, October 17 to Wednesday, October 21, 2026 (inclusive)
  • Saturday, November 7 to Sunday, November 22, 2026 (inclusive)

©Pierre-Jean Moreau

The Mont Bélanger Trails

The Mont Bélanger hiking trails, and the campground, are closed from September 15, 2026, and will remain closed until May 15, 2027. The trails are not maintained during the winter.

Hiking Without Leaving a Trace

Because enjoying nature also means protecting it, we follow the 7 principles of the Leave No Trace movement. In practice, that means planning our activities carefully, staying on designated trails to protect the soil, and packing out all our waste — even what others may have left behind, when possible. We leave plants, rocks, and wildlife just as we found them, so that everyone can enjoy them. Most importantly, we show respect: greeting fellow hikers, keeping noise levels low, and keeping dogs on a leash — so nature stays a welcoming place for all.
Discover the Principles

At all times, remember to wear bright-coloured clothing and to be very careful. Have a great hiking season!


You should read

The Hiker’s Code
Head Outdoors and Enjoy our National Parks!
5 of the Most Beautiful Lookouts of the Eastern Townships
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