In collaboration with Outaouais Tourism and Kenauk Nature, we’ll share a simple long-weekend itinerary for Montrealers to step out of the city chaos and enjoy a getaway in the Outaouais region. We focus on the townships of Montebello and Ripon, where you can unwind for a few days surrounded by history, local flavours, and nature.
Day 1: Arriving at Kenauk Nature
Montebello lies just 1.5 to 2 hours from Montreal’s city centre. You’ll quickly exchange skylines for crop fields, rolling hills, and forested expanses—the bucolic Outaouais is in full display. Agriculture thrives here, with a strong emphasis on sustainable farming. Keep an eye out for roadside fruit and veggie stalls; it’s the perfect way to support local growers and start your retreat with a taste of the region.
Bonus Destination
On your way to Kenauk, you’ll likely spot signs for Parc Omega—a safari-style trail often called a living museum. Here, bison, bears, wolves, and elk roam in their natural habitats. Visitors can even feed carrots (available at reception) to the friendly deer and elk along the route from their cars. If you arrive in Montebello before check-in, this is a perfect stop to fill the time and set the tone for your wilderness retreat.
Kenauk Nature
You’ll soon come across a large sign marking the threshold of an extraordinary wilderness. Kenauk is one of North America’s largest privately protected areas. To put its size in perspective, its vast wilderness stretches across an area nearly three-quarters the size of Montreal. Entire ecosystems of wildlife, 60 pristine lakes, and a network of hiking trails await your discovery.
Abandon all WiFi, ye who enter here: While Kenauk has a cell tower, reception is patchy and varies between cottages and ready-to-camp tents. There’s no WiFi, so it’s best to plan ahead: let friends or family know where you’ll be, download movies or shows in advance, and pack books or games for offline entertainment. Disconnecting is part of the experience—embrace it.
The Lynx, Coyote, and Cypress tents sit in one of Kenauk’s most northern accessible areas, about a 30-minute drive from reception. Nestled near the shores of Lac Papineau, each tent is equipped with essentials: a queen bed, table, mini fridge, and USB ports for charging. Outdoor propane-heated showers and well-kept outhouses add comfort without breaking the off-grid charm.
An Evening in Montebello
Don’t get too comfortable just yet. After settling into your cozy canvas home, it’s worth venturing out to experience Montebello’s local social spots. From Kenauk, head back to Route 323, then turn onto Route 148 (Rue Notre-Dame), where you’ll find a handful of local spots showcasing regional flavours. A standout is Les Brasseurs de Montebello, a microbrewery known for hearty, refreshing beers made with local ingredients. Be sure to try the Kenauk Ale, brewed with honey harvested from beehives on the land itself. Kenauk Nature also maintains a fish hatchery that produces over 100,000 rainbow, speckled, and brown trout each year to not only sustain their lakes but to supply nearby restaurants with premium, responsibly raised fish.
Have dinner at one of the nearby restaurants before imbibing a pint (or two) at the brewery. Before heading back for the evening, make use of the local supermarket for supplies to bring back, or help you wind down during your first night in the wilderness.
Day 2: Hiking at Kenauk Nature
It’s time to lace up and explore Kenauk’s trails. There are over 40 km of trails available for all levels of hikers. For easy navigation, we highly recommend downloading the Ondago app, which provides offline maps and directions for the land and the surrounding region.
A must-do is Trail 10—Mont Baldy. From the tents, drive back toward Lac du Poisson Blanc, continue past the Les Rapides chalet, and follow signs toward the Makwa chalet. The app will help you navigate in the right direction. Just beyond, a small wooden marker—partly hidden by brush—signals the trailhead. A narrow shoulder across the road offers space to park.
Trail conditions: Mont Baldy is Kenauk’s most challenging hike. Expect uneven footing, exposed roots, and steep elevation changes. Trekking poles are handy, and bug spray (plus tick repellent) is essential.
The payoff is worth it. The trail eventually opens onto lichen-covered rock, where cairns guide the way to sweeping viewpoints. Pause for a snack and water break, take in the silence of the forest, and let your gaze wander across lakes and rolling hills stretching to the horizon.
Relaxing Lakeside
On the return from your hike, you can cool off with a swim at Whitefish Activity Centre, where canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards await, or head back to Papineau Lake and take advantage of the privacy and access to kayaks and canoes, which are reserved for tent-village guests, making it easy to slip out onto the water. Take some time to relax, then we’re heading back into town for the afternoon.
A Historical Detour
Montebello is home to many attractions, but the Fairmont Le Château Montebello is arguably its most famous landmark, being the world’s largest log cabin.
Just next door is the Manoir Papineau National Historic Site, a Parks Canada historic site. If you’re someone who likes to learn about the history of the places they visit, then you’ll appreciate the visit to the former home of one of Quebec’s most influential figures, Louis-Joseph Papineau, a prominent lawyer, seigneur, and leader of the Parti patriote. The manor reflects his eclectic tastes and served as his family home after returning from political exile.
You can explore the grounds and outbuildings on a self-guided tour, or register for a 45-minute guided tour inside the manor for just $10. Once you’re done, take the rest of the day to enjoy other areas Montebello has to offer, or head back into the remoteness of Kenauk to end the day.
Day 3: Heading to Ripon, Quebec
Pre-dawn. Barred owls call from the trees, loons answer across the lakes, nature’s alarm clock. Rise and shine, or sleep in and take the morning to relax in Kenauk for the final time. We’re checking out, but we’re not done with the Outaouais region yet. Today, we’ll explore another expanse of the Outaouais: Parc des Montagnes Noires, located just outside Ripon, an 800-acre forest that combines the woodland environment of Petite Nation with its agricultural landscape.
Before heading out, stop at Poisson Blanc to get a better signal and, if you can, download the summer trail map for Les Montagnes Noires in the Ondago app. Several trails at Parc des Montagnes Noires de Ripon have designated parking.
We’ve chosen Trail 7—Belvédère, a 4-km loop that connects to the more challenging Trail 10—Grand-Pic. Mountain biking is popular here too; rentals and a repair station are available. Helmets are mandatory.
On arrival, either check in or use the self-serve system: take an envelope, leave $10 in the box with your car info, and display the attached paper on your dashboard. If paying online via QR code, write the transaction number on the dashboard paper.
Trail highlights: Belvédère is an intermediate-level hike but manageable for most hikers. Follow the trail markers to the first lookout. Summer offers rolling green hills; in fall, the colours are a sight to behold. A canopy and picnic tables at the first lookout point provide a spot to pause, and an outhouse is available if needed.
Continue another kilometre to the second viewpoint: a watchtower. Climb the steps (acrophobics beware) and enjoy the views. You’re halfway through the loop.
Note: Trails intersect, and some are reserved for cyclists. Your offline Ondago map will help you stay on the correct path.
Lunch Break at Café des Orties, Ripon
After a couple of hours on the trail, it’s time to head into Ripon for lunch. Café des Orties is a favourite stop, housed in a repurposed French colonial-style home with a large veranda perfect for sunny days. Inside, the décor is a blend of artsy, with what we can only describe as a hotchpotch of antiques and old furniture. There are cards and board games, so feel free to sit for a spell for some friendly competition amongst friends.
However, the place has a knack for drawing in the younger crowds, and baristas are ready to serve you up fresh pastries and iced lattes, which is precisely what we’ll have.
Sweet Farewell in Montebello
On your way home, head back into Montebello. Right next to the Manoir Papineau National Historic Site is another must-visit gem: ChocoMotive. This award-winning artisanal chocolate factory offers a paradise of treats for the sweet tooth. All chocolate is crafted from organic cocoa and sugar. Stock up for the road—if you can resist eating it all before you get home.
Heading Home
This long weekend itinerary only scratches the surface of what the Outaouais region has to offer. From spring through fall, the region brims with ways to connect nature and culture, whether it’s hiking through Kenauk’s vast wilderness, sipping a pint in Montebello, or discovering the area’s history. Kenauk gives you the rare chance to disconnect truly, while Montebello invites you to slow down, smile, and enjoy the essentials of life.
Make it more than a one-time trip and come back for another weekend or two, and let the pace of this place work its simple magic. After all, it’s closer than you think, and you’ll always be welcome here.
Visiting in the winter? Don’t miss our 3-day itinerary showcasing the Outaouais’ frost-filled charm.
Share on
