Weekend Getaway in the Laurentian Mountains
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Are you in need of a quick escape from the hustle and bustle of city life?
Look no further than the Laurentian Mountains in Quebec. This stunning mountain range offers a wealth of outdoor activities and breathtaking natural beauty, making it the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. It’s located close to the Ontario border, making it the ideal weekend getaway from both Ottawa and Montreal. If you don’t mind a scenic road trip, you can easily get here from Toronto too (like we did).
If you're wondering what to do in the Laurentian Mountains, the options are endless. During the warmer months, you can enjoy hiking, mountain biking, and fishing in the great outdoors. In the winter, the Laurentians transform into a winter wonderland, with opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing.
But the Laurentian Mountains have more to offer than just outdoor activities! The region is home to several charming towns and villages (like Mont Tremblant), each with its own unique character and history. You can explore local art galleries, sample delicious local cuisine, and visit historic sites.
No matter what your interests are, the Laurentian Mountains have something for everyone. In this blog post, I’ll share our top recommendations for things to do in the Laurentians during a weekend getaway, plus a short review of my favourite hotel in the area.
Get ready to escape to the great outdoors and experience all that the Laurentian Mountains have to offer.
IN THIS GUIDE
Explore the BEST Things to Do in the Laurentian Mountains During a Weekend Getaway
History of the Laurentian Mountains
Brief History of the Laurentian Mountains
The Laurentian Mountains have a rich history dating back thousands of years. The first humans to inhabit the region were Indigenous peoples, who lived in harmony with the natural environment. This region played a significant role in the lives of these Indigenous communities, providing a source of food, shelter, and other resources.
In the 16th century, European explorers and settlers arrived in the region, bringing with them new technologies and ways of life. The Laurentian Mountains became an important fur trading area, with the Hudson's Bay Company setting up several trading posts in the region.
Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the Laurentian Mountains experienced significant economic and cultural development. The region became a popular vacation destination, attracting tourists from all over the world with its beautiful natural landscapes and outdoor activities. Today, the Laurentian Mountains are home to a thriving tourism industry, as well as a number of small towns and villages.
Despite the many changes that have occurred over the centuries, the Laurentian Mountains remain a beloved and important part of Quebec's history and culture.
Where to Stay in the Laurentian Mountains
The Laurentian Mountains are a popular vacation destination, offering a variety of accommodation options to suit different needs and budgets. From ski chalets to yurts in the remote woods, this place has it all.
When I visit a new destination, I like to stay in a hotel (or some form of accommodation) that reflects the local culture and vibe. A place that’s unique, but still has the amenities I prefer when traveling. A great example of this is when I stayed at this hybrid museum-hotel in Quebec City!
That's why during my first visit to the Laurentians, I opted to stay at the Stonehaven Le Manoir.
This historic mansion-turned-boutique hotel sits on the foothill of a small mountain overlooking the lake in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts. The location is truly breathtaking, but trust me when I say the interior is even better.
Imagine old-world charm meets modern comforts. You can tell that the owners of the Stonehaven Le Manoir have taken great care to preserve the history of the property, with many of the original features still intact. The rooms rival the modernness of a luxury high-rise hotel, even though you're in a quiet and intimate setting. There are so many cozy and inviting spots to sit and relax around the hotel. You can curl up by the fire in the old chapel, read a book from the library, sit by the windows to watch the turkeys, or pull up a stool at the bar to try one of their famous cocktails.
The hotel features one of the best restaurants in the Laurentian Mountains, with a five-star dining experience. Although we didn't stay for dinner, we did eat breakfast here in the mornings and I can't tell you how delicious the pancakes are. It's something you have to taste for yourself!
Perhaps my favorite feature was the outdoor spa, complete with a swimming pool and hot tub. It's free for all guests to use and open late, which I love. Is there anything better than relaxing in the hot tub at night and watching the stars? I don't think so.
There are some other activities too, like a private hiking trail (ask for a map) which leads you to a beautiful view up a small mountain.
We stayed in the Panoramic Suite, which is arguably the best room in the entire hotel. It features sweeping views of the property and lake in Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts. The bathroom is absolutely gorgeous, but the best part was the bed! I have never slept on pillows so soft. If you're looking for a romantic weekend getaway in the Laurentian Mountains, the Stonehaven Le Manoir is the perfect spot. You can book your stay at the Stonehaven Le Manoir (and browse other hotels) here.
The Top 5 Things to Do in the Laurentian Mounains
1. Visit the Small Towns
Beyond Mont Tremblant, there are so many cute small towns in the Laurentian Mountains for you to visit during your stay, like Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts and Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm.
Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts is where you will find the Stonehaven Le Manoir. It's a beautiful lakefront town with a host of boutique shops, restaurants, and cafés along the main strip. Be sure to pop into Couleur Café for a latte and a snack. There is also a nice trail along the lakefront with plenty of places to sit and enjoy the view.
Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm is 30 minutes north of Sainte-Agathe-des-Monts, but definitely worth a visit. There are some shops, a gorgeous little church and a nice little café called Ohana. Overall, we found the town itself to be very quiet and slow-paced, but I think the true beauty of Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm lies in the outdoors. It's a popular destination for hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and skiing.
If you really want to experience the best of the Laurentians and ALL of the small towns this region has to offer, consider following the Route des Belles Histoires.
2. Drive the Route des Belles Histoires
This tourist driving route encompasses the best small towns and sights in the Laurentian Mountains.
If you have more than one day and are looking to get to know the region on an in-depth level, the Route des Belles Histoires is for you.
The route starts in Saint-Jérôme, ends in Mont-Laurier, and is nearly 285km in length. It will guide you through the various touristic and patrimonial sights.
For the less ambitious (like myself), you can also just pick and choose the places that seem the most interesting to you. Based on the route, we decided to visit Saint-Adele, Val-David, and a few of the neighboring villages.
If you get the chance, I highly recommend driving north past the Laurentians to Rivière Rouge and Mont-Laurier. We passed through on our way to Val-D'Or and wished we had the chance to spend more time in these regions.
3. Bike or Hike the P'tit Train du Nord
The Route des Belles Histoires follows almost exactly the P'tit Train du Nord linear park.
The P’tit Train du Nord trail was originally used by the early settlers of the Laurentians, which is why it now connects all of the various train stations and small towns in the Laurentian Mountains. These days, it's a popular multi-use trail that you can explore by bike, foot, snowshoe, or snowmobile!
The trail is one of the easiest places to hike in the Laurentian Mountains. It's flat, free, and fun for the whole family. You can come for a couple of hours or a couple of days! There are plenty of facilities available to users, like free parking, bike rentals, shuttle buses, and accommodation along the way.
4. Indulge in Some Local Eats & Treats
There are over 1,300 places to eat in the Laurentian Mountains. Here are some of the best spots:
Cotard Chocolatier Glacier in Saint-Saveur. They were once named Canada's BEST chocolatier. Need I say more? This is the best spot to come for chocolates, truffles, candies, ice cream, and souvenirs for all of your friends & family back home.
Boulangerie Le Caveau in Saint-Agathe-Nord. From a fruit stand on the side of the road to the best bakery in the Laurentian Mountains. Crispy bread, fresh pastries, and pizza. Prices are reasonable, the menu changes weekly and they also sell a variety of local products to bring back home.
Restaurant Patate Ben-Venue in Mont-Tremblant. One of the many reasons that I love the Quebecois is that they know how to snack. You can find snack bars or "cases croute" just about anywhere in the province. The Patate Ben-Venue is arguably the best casse croute in the Laurentians. You can enjoy hot dogs, cheeseburgers, onion rings, and the famous poutine.
Au Petit Poucet in Val-Morin. This is the best place to come for authentic Québécois and Canadian eats. It's been around since 1945 and still has that old-timey, cabin vibe. The portions are huge and the prices are quite reasonable. They close kind of early, so it's best to come for breakfast or lunch. Don't skip out on the maple pie!
Les Têtes de Cochon in Saint-Adèle. A restaurant, grocery store, and butcher shop all rolled into one. If you're a fan of charcuterie boards, fresh local beef, fine wine, and sweet desserts, then I think you'll love this place. The ingredients are high quality and local, so you will find this is reflected in the prices, but it's worth it, trust me!
5. Try a New Outdoor Activity
Beyond the small towns, historic routes and amazing places to eat, the Laurentians are home to some of the best landscapes in Quebec. This region is a nature-lovers paradise and there is no shortage of outdoor activities to partake in while you're here.
In the warmer months, you can head to one of the many parks like Domaine St. Bernard, Mont Tremblant National Park, or Parc de la Rivière Doncaster. If you're feeling adventurous, you can try the Via Ferrata (it's like a cross between hiking and mountain climbing) that takes you along the edge of a mountain with amazing views below.
In the winter, you have even MORE outdoor activities to choose from! Most notably, skiing the famous slopes in Mont-Tremblant, which is consistently rated as one of the best places to ski in Canada. You can also rent snowshoes, fat tire bikes, or cross-country skis to access the hundreds of snowy trails in the area.
In my opinion, the best thing to do in the Laurentian Mountains during the winter is dog-sledding. This is a classic Québec activity. There are a few places for you to book a dog-sledding tour in the Laurentians, like Expedition Wolf and Laurel Adventure Nature.
For a list of more outdoor activities in the Laurentian Mountains, check out my Mont-Tremblant guide here.
Resources for Planning Your Trip
Whether you're looking for a relaxing getaway or an action-packed vacation, the Laurentian Mountains have something to offer. With so much to see and do, you'll want to come back time and time again to experience all that this beautiful region has to offer.
If you enjoyed this post, please leave me a comment to say thanks or consider booking your accommodation through my affiliate link here. This will earn me a small commission on your stay, at no additional cost to you.
Here are some additional resources to help you plan a trip to the Laurentian Mountains:
The local tourist board - The Laurentian Mountains has an official tourism website, which provides a wealth of information on things to see in the Laurentian Mountains, local events, transportation to the area, and more.
Social media - Search for hashtags (like #laurentians and #laurentianmountains) or location tags of specific places you want to visit in the region to see content other people have posted. This is a great way to get photo inspiration or at least give you something to look forward to.
Hotel booking tools - Websites like booking.com offer a wide range of options for accommodation in the Laurentian Mountains (open up the map view to see all of the available properties). You can always find something that suits your needs and budget. It’s convenient, offers price comparisons to other websites, includes thousands of user reviews, and great customer service. Plus, most of the options come with free cancellation.
Travel experience booking tools - Websites like getyourguide.com allow you to book guided tours, activities, and other travel experiences online. You can browse a wide range of options, book and pay for the experiences in advance, view detailed descriptions, and read reviews from other travelers. This is super convenient when you’re traveling to a new city with limited time and want a well-rounded experience.
Don't stop there. There are plenty of beautiful places to visit in Quebec. Take a look at some of my other posts:
Thank you so much for reading. Happy travels!
