Gatineau Park’s Blueberry Hill: The Best Hiking Trail Near Ottawa
Consistent variety and stunning views make Blueberry Hill a Saturday hike you can’t miss this spring.
Tucked away in the northern section of Gatineau Park, Blueberry Hill is a hike any Ottawa resident should experience. From steep inclines to lush, moderate forest, this is one of the most versatile trails in the area.
If you love wildlife, it’s the right time to go. Families of deer burst from the brush frequently during this moody, exhilarating loop, and hawks watched from overhead as I climbed to its many stunning vantage points.
To get there, I parked at the Church Hill picnic area on Eardley-Masham Road. After a warm and sunny trek along the Equestrian Trail, I ascended Blueberry Hill, and then followed the Yellow Box Trail loop back to my car.
Blueberry Hill via Equestrian & Yellow Box Trails
Length: 13.4 km
Elevation: 428 m
Type: Loop
Time: 5 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
This trail is similar to a few others on AllTrails, but I took a custom route. You can follow my steps on this map.
Why I Loved Hiking Blueberry Hill
Includes forest valleys, steep inclines and falls crossings
Sun beams happily upon you during the first half of loop
Wildlife at every turn, including hawks, deer, and jays
Arguably the best views in the Gatineau Hills
I did not encounter another human being from start to finish
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Key Hiking Gear
My cozy Merino base layer kept me cool on the sunny sections of the trail, and warm in the forest.
Some parts are still icy, so I used these crampons to climb safely, and with ease.
A Gatineau Park Hike You Must Experience
I loved this hike. Gatineau Park trails that start from the Pontiac/Luskville side have sharp incline, and it was a worthy challenge. I’ve also never seen so many deer in one place before, and I was gifted with lovely cloud formations at the lookouts.
Be careful about following the sporadic trail markers in the north section of the trail, as some of the remaining snow makes it hard to follow. In any case, this has become one of my favourite trails in the Ottawa area, and one to photograph in every season.