Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park
Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park is one of Quebec’s smaller national parks located about 15 kilometers east of Montreal on the South Shore of the St Lawrence River. Mount Saint-Bruno is a part of the Monteregian Hills with a peak standing 218 meters high, which were formed by magma rising in the earth’s crust and therefore causing a rise in the land. Some believe that this mountain is volcanic, but there has not been any volcanic activity and it is not predicted that they will become volcanic. The mountain includes water filled dips on the south eastern side that attract plenty of wildlife in the area. Besides Mount Saint-Bruno, the rest of the surrounding lands are flat with an average altitude of 30 meters. The park itself is well positioned for local visitors, it is only a few kilometers from the Montreal metropolitan area. In the park you will find an old historical mill, many kilometers of trails, and plenty of preserved species and plant life despite being so close to an urban area. The park is very important to the area as it helps protect the natural life found on and around Mount Saint-Bruno. Without the protection of the park, much of the vegetation and wildlife would have died away.
The old mill that is located within the park grounds is called Vieux Moulin. It is one of the many water mills that used to stand in the area and is now used as rest area for skier and hikers on their way up the mountain. Because of the abundance of water sources surrounding the mountain, the area was very popular for the mills that were operated here. The mills helped contribute to the economic success of the area in the early days. Beside the mill there is a large apple orchard that has also helped contribute to the success of the area and was once used by a religious society as a means of making money. Now, the mill and the orchard are open to all visitors and offer a great resting stop complete with a snack if you go the right time of year.
Trails are great way to explore all the park has to offer. It is possible to hike up and down the mountain in a day so it’s a great location for one day hikes just outside the city. If you’d like to go with someone that is more familiar with the area, you can get a hiking guide to show you the best spots to go. They will be more than happy to take you to the best viewing spots and help point out any wildlife along the way. If you prefer to stay on the marked path, there are over 30 kilometers of trails including 4 kilometers of rustic trails. If you are willing to visit the park during the dark hours, there is a guided night hike that will take you to places where there are fields full of fireflies and starry skies. While out and about you are sure to spot a few different animals if you keep vigilant.
Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park has been working hard to preserve the plant life in the area and, by extension, preserve the wildlife that calls the mountain home. One of the challenges the park has had to overcome is making sure the park is open for visitors, but also providing enough protection for the flora and fauna so that it can continue to grow and flourish. Mont-Saint-Bruno Park pushes the proper park regulations to ensure that plant and wild life stay protected. Without the park’s regulations, there are several rare types of plants that may cease to exist in the area. All of the protection of plant life has led to preserving the wildlife populations in the park too. The wildlife that live within the park include over 40 different mammal species and 200 different types of birds.
Visiting Mont-Saint-Bruno can be a weekly treat because it is located so close to the metropolitan area of Montreal. Anyone looking to get out into nature for just a little bit will be treated by this safe haven away from but close to the city. The park provides a ski mountain, plenty of hiking trails to get your blood flowing, plants and animals all within proximity of the city. There are approximately 750,000 yearly visitors to Mont-Saint-Bruno where hiking, snowshoeing, alpine and cross country skiing are some of the most popular activities to be enjoyed.
