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Family-Friendly Hikes in the Eastern Townships

Updated on Aug 13, 2025

Introducing your little ones to hiking when they’re young is one of the greatest gifts you can give them. Ready to hit the trails with the kiddos in tow? You’ll find lots of fun trails in the Eastern Townships—perfect for your adventurers-in-training.


©Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises

For the little ones

Starting at age four, children can start actively participating in family hikes. In Sutton, there’s plenty for tiny trekkers to explore along the Village-Montagne trail, including the Marmite aux Sorcières trail.

From Stoke, you can try Grotte de l’Ours, an easy segment of the Sentiers de l’Estrie hiking trail network. Finally, in Baldwin Mills, Mont Pinacle offers plenty of kid-friendly hikes with an alluring reward: Lac Lyster and its lovely beach.

Another must-visit for kids (and everyone else, for that matter) is Parc de la Gorge de Coaticook and the ever-popular Foresta Lumina, which offers over 2.6 kilometres of pure magic sure capture the imagination and delight the senses.

Finally, the Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises, in Magog, as well as the Centre d’interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin, also have excellent hiking trails for youngsters. The terrain is relatively smooth and home to all kinds of interesting critters thanks to a diverse flora and fauna.


Parc régional du Mont-Ham ©Ian Roberge

For Enthusiastic Adventurers

If your little ones have a bit more stamina, or starting at around 7 years old, Mont Ham, in Ham-Sud, boasts at least four easy hikes and as many intermediate ones.

On Mont Orford’s Ruisseau-Des-Chênes trail, you’ll find a small waterfall about 1 ½ kilometres from the trailhead (located at the intersection of Chemin North and Autoroute 112, in Austin). Note that while the trail is technically rated difficult, it’s worth trekking out to the waterfall, even if you turn around and come back down right away.

Evidently, this list isn’t exhaustive. The Eastern Townships region is a vast playground for hikers of all abilities. Note that all four of the region’s national parks (Mont Orford, Mont Mégantic, Frontenac and Yamaska have beginner-friendly trails. Visit their websites for more information.


©Centre d'interprétation de la nature du lac Boivin

A Few Helpful Hints

  • Bring plenty of snacks and don’t forget bottles of water.
  • To keep your child engaged, give him or her a mission: Find a certain type of bug, tree, rock, etc.
  • Stop for breaks regularly.
  • Make sure your child is well versed in hiking safety rules. (Don’t stray too far, watch your steps, stay away from cliffs, etc.)
  • When choosing a trail, remember that a child can walk a number of kilometres equal to his or her age, approximately. Check the distance before you set off—and don’t forget to calculate the return distance if it’s not a loop!
  • If you're planning to visit the Eastern Townships this fall from Montreal, the Navette Nature could be a great option for you! It lets you leave from home and takes you directly to the hike of your choice: the Mont-Orford, the Mont Ham or the Gorge de Coaticook. Check out their website for the full schedule.

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

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