There are those winter days that are mild and snowy and during which we would love to go out and enjoy them without having to walk the residential streets of our neighborhood full of patches of ice and slush.

That's good because today, we present to you an idea for an outdoor winter activity that will certainly please the whole family: a hike on the magnificent Mont Saint-Hilaire.

You should know that the portion open to the public of this Montérégie mountain is called Gault Nature Reserve and is administered by McGill University. It is a reserve of nearly 1000 hectares of natural environments.

At the heart of the reserve is the sumptuous Lake Hertel which extends over 32 hectares. All around this lake, there are 600 species of higher plants, several of which are threatened or vulnerable species in Canada. Some of the trees in the reserve are more than 400 years old and around them there are more than 800 known species of butterflies that you can admire in season.

From the top of its 414 meters, which makes it the fifth highest mountain in the Montérégian Hills (mountain formation which includes, among others, Mont-Royal, Saint-Bruno, Rougemont, Saint-Grégoire, Mont-Mégantic, etc.), the Mont Saint-Hilaire is one of the richest mineralogical sites in the world with 353 different minerals identified on site.

Inside the Gault reserve, there are 25 kilometers of trails that crisscross the forest and provide access to four peaks which offer views, each one as breathtaking as the next.

We sometimes underestimate the beauty of winter landscapes and a day at Mont Saint-Hilaire in the middle of winter will delight you every time, just be dressed warmly and ready for adventure! Whether hiking, snowshoeing or cross-country skiing, there is something for everyone at the Gault Nature Reserve. Plus, it's open 365 days a year!

Simply reserve your daily access or the annual card at this address: https://reservegault.ca/shop