The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Parc Naturel Du Mont Bélair

Vélopiste Jacques-Cartier / Portneuf is a 68-kilometre multi-use rail trail built along a former railway corridor, linking Saint-Gabriel-de-Valcartier to Rivière-à-Pierre, passing through forest and along rivers, lakes, and small communities northwest of Québec City. The Shannon to Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier section follows one of the trail’s quieter stretches, passing through picturesque wooded landscapes and open views near the Jacques-Cartier River on a gentle, crushed-stone surface that's ideal for cycling and walking. Connected to Québec City via the Corridor des Cheminots, the route combines easy grades with peaceful scenery and access to nearby outdoor recreation, making it one of the region’s most popular long-distance trails.

Fossambault-sur-le-Lac sits on the southeastern shore of Lac Saint-Joseph, about 30 kilometres northwest of Québec City, known for its lakeside setting, forested surroundings, and long history as a vacation destination. Originally developed as a resort community in the early 1900s, the town grew around summer homes and tourism, with much of its character still shaped by the lake and natural landscape. Today, visitors come for its beaches, boating, and quiet residential streets framed by mature trees, making it a peaceful place to stop along the Vélopiste Jacques-Cartier / Portneuf route. From this spot, it’s a short trek into the small, charming town, or you can take a break here at Fernand Lucchesi Park, nestled right along the trail and Rue Gingras.

The Great Jacques Cartier Peat Bog is a vast wetland complex covering roughly 6.6 square kilometres across Sainte-Catherine-de-la-Jacques-Cartier, Fossambault-sur-le-Lac, and Shannon, just east of Lac Saint-Joseph. It’s one of the last large peat bogs in the Capitale-Nationale region to remain largely undisturbed. There are wooded areas, open bog pools, marshes, and rare wetland habitats that support diverse plant and wildlife species. The peatland also plays an important ecological role by storing carbon, filtering water, and helping regulate water flow within the surrounding watershed.

The Jacques-Cartier River Bridge is a former railway bridge near Shannon that crosses high above the Jacques-Cartier River, originally serving the rail line between Québec City and Lac-Saint-Jean. It now carries Vélopiste Jacques-Cartier / Portneuf users across the steep, forested valley, with beautiful views over the river corridor below, and is one of the more recognizable remains of the region’s railway history.

The trail is well constructed - wooden steps take you up a hill near the riverbank, and as you stroll through the woods you get a nice view of the water. This spot is especially beautiful in autumn when the leaves change.

Chauveau Park has a nice balance of forest, trails, riverside, and a sports complex. It’s a popular spot for walking, trail running, and cross-country skiing in winter. Trails are well-marked and easy to follow. Here, on the northern end of the park, there is parking and restrooms, a great spot to start exploring.

Parc du Passant is a small community park with plenty of green space, well-maintained pathways, and convenient access points to the river corridor, linking to longer walking trails. This park offers a peaceful, open atmosphere and is a nice contrast to the wooded sections along the river.

Rivière Lorette is a tributary of the Saint-Charles River, flowing through the Quebec City region, including L'Ancienne-Lorette. This charming river traverses a blend of urban and natural landscapes, bordered by forests, parks, and residential neighbourhoods. Its gentle current and modest size play a significant role in shaping the nearby green spaces and local trail systems.