Piedmont: Nature, Trails and Local History

Piedmont combines nature experiences with visible traces of its local history. Parc Gilbert-Aubin has a 1.9-kilometre, easy-rated hiking trail through a large natural park. During your stay, you can choose between trails through nature, outdoor activity and cultural discoveries.

Nature at Parc Gilbert-Aubin

Parc Gilbert-Aubin gradually took shape from a former sand pit: several extensive projects transformed the site into a large natural park. One of its distinctive features is Lac Charbonneau, the park’s own lake, with a fountain. If you like having a specific destination in mind when you visit, you can include the lake in your park visit.

Parc Gilbert-Aubin has a 1.9-kilometre trail rated as easy. Access is through the park, and parking is available there. The stated distance and difficulty rating give you a clear reference when planning your day, without requiring you to schedule a longer outing. Parc de la Gare de Piedmont, on the grounds of the former railway station, also has children’s play equipment, picnic tables, rest areas and public toilets. These provide convenient places to stop for a break with children.

Trails, Water and Activity

If you want to explore a variety of trails, Réserve naturelle Alfred-Kelly has 13 different trails. One important visitor rule: animals are not allowed in this nature reserve. If you’re travelling with an animal, keep this in mind when choosing your destinations.

At Parc du chemin du Pont, a photo exhibition runs along the park trail. The images feature local residents, making a visit an opportunity to connect with local life. The same park also has a launch site for canoes and kayaks, accessible in spring and summer. If you’re considering an outing on the water during this season, you can take this location into account; the launch site is a separate attraction from the exhibition along the trail.

Gare de Piedmont is also a starting point for an active exploration: from there, you can join the “Vélocité” urban cycling route. It links the linear Parc linéaire le P’tit Train du Nord with the Corridor aérobique and passes through Piedmont, Saint-Sauveur and Morin-Heights. This connection is especially useful if you’d like your bike ride to take in more than one place.

Local History Along the P’tit Train du Nord

The Circuit patrimonial de Piedmont presents local history through twelve panels permanently installed throughout the municipality. You can take in the information at several stops, rather than focusing on the history of just one building. Structures representative of Piedmont’s history include Pont Gagliesi and the buildings of Centre de jeunesse Shawbridge.

The former railway connection is also part of the region’s history. Tracé de l’Ancien-Chemin-de-Fer-du-Nord is considered an important site in Québec’s history and became the route of the linear Parc linéaire le P’tit Train du Nord in 1996. The former Piedmont railway station is one of the preserved stations along this 201-kilometre route. The multipurpose hall next to Gare de Piedmont also hosts exhibitions by artists from the region. This gives you a chance to combine an interest in local history with a look at regional art.

Choose Piedmont as a Vacation Destination

A vacation rental in Piedmont offers a combination of nature experiences and local history.

More destinations: Estérel, Wentworth-Nord, Ste-Marguerite-Du-Lac-Masson, Sainte-Anne-Des-Lacs, Morin-Heights, Sainte-Adele and Saint-Sauveur-Des-Monts.

For the broader travel overview: Les Pays-D'en-Haut.