Canada #32 Montmorency Falls
The splendour of Montmorency Falls can be seen from many vantage points, each one crowded with visitors to the highest waterfall in Québec.
A wide suspension bridge over the Montmorency River passes above the water just where it tumbles over the cliff edge. From the bridge, a panoramic vista extends beyond the river’s junction with the Saint Lawrence River to downtown Québec City 12 kilometres away.
Platforms and staircases on both sides look out over the 84 metre high falls. To the right, the viewing decks are enveloped by dense forest while, on the left, 487 steps lead down the steep gravelled slope to the base of the falls.
At the bottom of the staircase is another platform where a cloud of mist envelopes everything. Raincoats and ponchos are no barrier to the power of the water.
A path at the bottom of the staircase goes along the river bank to a footbridge which leads to the visitor centre. Inside the centre is the lower terminal for the Funitel, an aerial tram rising above the river and forest-covered slopes to Montmorency Manor.
For those with a sense of adventure, a ride on a 300 metre zipline goes closest of all to the cascading water.
We find two more ways to view the Montmorency River and, unlike the crowded viewing platforms and staircases, we share them with just a few other people.
From the side of the suspension bridge an unmarked path leads upstream through the forest, taking us away from the falls.
The path ends where Avenue Royale crosses over the river; the calm water flowing under the bridge gives no indication of what lies a little further downstream.
Later, near the visitor centre, we spy another path beyond the train tracks. This one, lined by water meadows filled with wildflowers, takes us to the opposite side of the river and almost to the base of the falls.
A fallen log makes the perfect picnic seat and we linger after our lunch is eaten. We have the best view of Montmorency Falls – almost to ourselves.
Join Jo for Monday Walks
Nice
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It was beautiful.
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Looks like a great adventure and some beautiful natute
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We had a wonderful day out. We took a local bus there and back so we got to see more of the city as well.
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Looks like you found the very best spot through the water meadows to that log for your lunch! Sometimes it’s hard to get away from the crowds – you obviously have a knack for it!
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It wasn’t super crowded at the falls, but it was busy and this spot was very peaceful. I loved being right at the water’s edge.
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Great post 😄
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Thanks.
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No problem 🙂 check out my blog when you get the chance 😁
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You two are obviously the people to travel with! The one thing that puts me off sightseeing are the crowds and you know how to leave them behind – your lunchtime view was perfect! Love the wildflowers!
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It certainly pays to leave the crowds behind and if we see a path we like to explore. I wondered why neither were signed, but that worked out well for us.
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Oh, the power of water. I love water, love falls, love walking, but no way in this world would I be able to ride a zip line across that water. I can imagine it is an amazing ride, but I am way too chicken to do it.
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I would love to do it, but as I said to Anabel, it was so expensive and only takes a few seconds and it’s over. I just couldn’t justify the cost. Our views were just as good, if not better and we could sit and look as long as we liked.
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Looks great, though I might leave the zip wire to others!
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I would love to have a go at a zipwire like this, but considering the whole experience only lasts a few seconds it’s very costly.
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Absolutely fabulous, Carol! This is my idea of a walk 🙂 🙂 Sitting chilling with the Newcastle friends. It’s been such a hot day 🙂
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It was a lovely gently walk Jo and quite peaceful. Enjoy your time with your special friends.
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The falls are gorgeous, and so pleased you found the perfect vantage point to view them from away from the madding crowd. What an amazing spot you found for your picnic. Those tracks looked so inviting. Lovely post.
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Sitting on that log was the perfect way to enjoy our lunch. The paths through the forest were quite lovely and very peaceful. Thank you Chris.
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Wow those staircases do look challenging.
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I was happy we were going down not up and I was very careful because they were wet and slippery.
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We don’t realise the true power and force of nature until we encounter falls like these Carol! 🙂
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True, there is so much energy in moving water.
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What is it about water falls that captivates us?
I’ll bet lots of people would just walk past those wildflowers and not even see their delicate beauty.
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For me, it’s the mighty power of the water as it goes over the edge of the cliff. Some of the wildflowers were so tiny but they were such pretty colours.
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I never made it here so it’s nice to see what it’s like through your photos 🙂 How long did yuo stay in Canada?
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We were in Canada for five weeks and we had a wonderful trip. We spent the longest time in Toronto as that was where our daughter was living.
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Beautiful photos. I love waterfalls, so this sounds ideal. Glad you found such a perfect place for a quiet viewing. Only the roar of falling water, which I find soothing. Great post.
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Yes, the noise was amazing. Water has such power.
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What a fabulous tour you are giving me of my own country! Great photos of the gorgeous waterfall. I would definitely be in for the zipline. The lunch spot looks perfect too. Wonderful to see the falls from so many different perspectives.
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I would love to do a zipline like this. We spent a long time seeing the falls from all sides. I’m glad you’re enjoying seeing Canada from our point of view.
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Is that you on the zip line? Lovely floral pics!
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Ha! No, not me but I would love to have a go. The trouble is the cost is totally disproportionate to the time this takes – only a few seconds. I can think of better ways to spend my money. Aren’t the wildflowers pretty. Some of these were very small.
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I admire your willingness Carol. I wouldn’t even think of going on it, even it was free!
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It would be great fun!
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Oh my… It is amazing falls! The nature around is very beautiful. I am glad that I had the possibility to visit it thru Your wonderful photos. Thank You.
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Wow, looks truly beautiful. As for that zip line, gulp … I’m not sure. I think maybe your view from the ground was the best!
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You wouldn’t have much time to look around on the zipline that’s for sure.
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Nope, definitely not. I’d be too busy screaming 😧🤣
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Oh dear! Best you stay grounded then. 🤣
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very nice!
– Sarah
http://bigworldawaits.travel.blog
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Thank you. The waterfall was wonderful.
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Spectacular.
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Such a fun adventure! I liked that you walked through the forest and found yourself a picnic space near the falls. This is our kind of adventure 🙂 I’m glad to have come across your blog.
Looking forward to reading more! – amor
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Thank you and welcome! We like to find out of the way spots that aren’t quite so crowded and this one was ideal.
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Same for our family! We do that too, we sometimes get lost but it adds to the adventure. 🙂
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The zip wire looks like fun! 🙂
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I thought so too, but the cost for such a fast adventure was more than I was prepared to pay. I enjoyed watching though.
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