Welcome to the Zéro Gravité blog! I am Agathe, the communications manager for the center, and I recently arrived in Montreal at the beginning of the year. In this article, we’re going to discover the best climbing spots near Montreal, Quebec.
Attracted by its blend of urban life and nature, I decided to settle in Montreal in early 2024. The city welcomed me warmly with its lively neighborhoods, cultural diversity, and nearby natural spaces. However, what truly piqued my curiosity were the natural wonders just outside the city.
As a lover of climbing and outdoor sports, I was thrilled to discover the numerous climbing sites hidden around Montreal. Working at a climbing center means spending my days surrounded by passionate individuals who know the area much better than I do. So, I asked my colleagues for recommendations for my next excursions. In this article, I invite you to discover some of the best climbing sites near Montreal, all within a 2-hour drive.
Without duplicating the excellent work of the FQME, I’ve included some essential information, but for more details and access info, please check the federation’s website via the provided links.
Choosing your climbing site wisely and preserving its beauty is crucial. I also suggest some good practices to adopt, in this article, both ecological and safety-related, to allow everyone to continue enjoying these exceptional places.
Good to know: Most site access requires a fee to support the maintenance and preservation of the routes and trails. By joining the FQME, some passes are free, while others offer a discount on a daily pass upon presentation of your membership card.
- Parc régional de Val-David (1 hour and 30)
It’s hard to miss Val-David, a must for rock climbing! This site offers numerous outdoor activities in all seasons! It’s ideal for spending a day outdoors and ending it in the charming village of Val-David. Some say it’s perfect for a romantic outing. The climbing site offers many top-rope sectors, making it accessible to beginners.
Location : Laurentides
Access : The site is not affiliated with the FQME, and you must pay a park entrance fee. FQME members can get a discount on a daily pass upon presenting their membership card.
- Parc Jean-Drapeau, Montréal (20 min)
Located on Île Sainte-Hélène, Parc Jean-Drapeau is accessible by bike or metro! It’s perfect for a family outing thanks to its top-rope routes on anchors. It’s also possible to try ice climbing in winter with our partner Passe-Montagne. The park wall has about eight stations for setting up anchors. It’s not the highest but perfect for introducing friends or kids to climbing or practicing techniques for a bigger project.
Location : Montréal
Access : Open from April 15 to November 30 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Paid parking: $7/hour or $27/day.
The site is affiliated with the FQME. You must be a member to climb. If you’re not a member, you can purchase a daily membership.
Montagne d’argent is a beautiful site with the added benefit of offering camping at the foot of the routes, allowing you to immerse yourself in nature for a well-deserved weekend. There are over 200 routes for all types of climbing: top-rope, sport lead, and even traditional.
Location : Laurentides
Access : Pay the daily or seasonal fee at the welcome chalet.
- Rigaud (50 min)
While the site doesn’t offer the same quality nature experience as the others mentioned in this article, it’s still a great spot less than an hour away, with top-rope, sport lead, and trad routes up to 5.12!
Location : Montérégie
Access : $5 for parking, no other fees if you’re there to climb.
Lac Larouche offers a range of intermediate top-rope routes. It’s not for sport lead enthusiasts (only one route!), but most routes are trad-friendly.
Location : Estrie
Access : The site is not part of the access mountain network. However, the FQME invests annually in wall and anchor maintenance. You can support the FQME by becoming a member or donating for the access and development of outdoor climbing sites.
- Julien Labedan (1h30)
Julien Labedan is an educational site with about fifty mixed routes, ideal for practicing trad or starting outdoor climbing. You’ll also find top-rope and sport lead routes.
Location : Laurentides
Access : The site is affiliated with the FQME. You must be a member to climb. If you’re not a member, you can purchase a daily membership.
- Mont Larose – Weir (1h40)
Multi-pitch enthusiasts, these routes are for you! Beware of the sunny wall orientation, making it very hot! It’s an ideal site for early-season outings or cooler fall days. In any case, this site remains very beautiful for the more athletic.
Location : Laurentides
Access : The site is affiliated with the FQME. You must be a member to climb. If you’re not a member, you can purchase a daily membership.
Probably one of the most beautiful campsites offering a lovely nature excursion! Access to the campsite is on foot. It’s an idyllic site by the river, perfect for a nature-filled weekend. The site offers about thirty sport lead and trad multi-pitch routes.
Location : Lanaudières
Access : The site is affiliated with the FQME. You must be a member to climb. If you’re not a member, you can purchase a daily membership.
- Saint-Alphone Rodriguez (1h40)
“Saint-Alph,” also known as “Chez Roger,” is one of the newest sites around Montreal. Opened just a few years ago, the site is brand new! You’re more likely to be the first to finish one of the routes here than at Val-David, for sure! All types of climbing are available, with over a hundred routes: sport, mixed, trad, top-rope…
Location : Lanaudières
Access : The site is affiliated with the FQME. You must be a member to climb. If you’re not a member, you can purchase a daily membership.
A few years ago, we interviewed the project instigators during a talk on the site’s project and the opening of outdoor routes with Steve Boudreau, Serge-Alexandre Demers-Giroux, John Leblond: https://youtu.be/FFkPWIAlRxw?
Orford is a demanding site with a variety of boulders and big routes for climbers wanting to test themselves on more difficult routes. There are very few beginner routes. It’s a popular site in the fall as the season is generally shortened in the summer due to closures related to peregrine falcon nesting from June to August.
Location : Estrie
Accès : Mandatory access fee (self-payment station, sepaq.com or Le Cerisier [secteur du Lac-Stukely])
- Kanata Tremblant (1h40)
Kanata Tremblant is a rock and bouldering climbing site located in an eco-village near Mont-Tremblant. Rope climbing is done in sport lead and trad.
Location : Laurentides
Access : Dogs are not allowed on the site, even on a leash.
You must register at the Club House to access the wall. Kanata Tremblant is a FQME-affiliated site. You must be a member to climb. If you’re not a member, you can purchase daily and annual passes directly at the Club House at the site entrance.
At the Zéro Gravité shop, you’ll find bouldering and roped climbing guides for the Val-David, Saint-Alphonse, and Lanaudières sites. We also sell all the essential outdoor gear: helmets, lanyards, harnesses, shoes, ropes, and bags. Zéro Gravité members get a 10% discount on the entire shop.
I hope this article provides you with the necessary keys for your next excursions! And you, what’s your favorite climbing site?
Photo copyrights Vincent Simard
