Hike up the King Mountain Trail and savour a spectacular view of the Ottawa River Valley. The 1.9-kilometre King Mountain Trail has interpretation panels and 10 lookouts. It takes about an hour to complete the hike.
A Diversity of Forests
As you walk along the King Mountain Trail you will encounter a series of different forest types. The rapid changes between types of trees are due to differences in the soil, water and light. The result is forests ranging from dark evergreen forest to rich deciduous forest to a windswept plain with stunted oak trees.
Most of the evergreen trees on King Mountain are eastern hemlock trees. The north-facing slope of King Mountain is steep and rocky with poor soil, making it perfect for hemlock. Few plants other than moss can adapt to such growing conditions, but a hemlock can last 500 to 600 years.
The hilly landscape around King Mountain is part of the Canadian Shield, one of the oldest and hardest rock formations in the world. King Mountain is on the southern edge of the Canadian Shield, which in this area is marked by the cliffs of the Eardley Escarpment.
The First Geodetic Survey Station National Historic Site is on King Mountain at an elevation of 344 metres (1,129 feet). It was the first geodetic station, or triangulation point, established in Canada for land surveys.
Help us protect Gatineau Park and leave no trace.
Note: Dogs and pets are not permitted on the King Mountain Trail.
|Washrooms||There are universally accessible dry toilets by the trail.|
|Parking||Free parking is available.|
|Picnic Areas||There are picnic tables by the King Mountain Trail.|
|Universal Accessibility||The picnic area and dry toilets are universally accessible, but the trail is not.|
For more information see Gatineau Park’s visitor information.