Autumn Falls and Cascades | The Press

The leaves have fallen. It is cold. It’s gray. It’s even raining. Why would we go hiking in November? Exactly, because it often rains. All this rain helps to restore vigor to falls and cascades that seemed somewhat anemic. There are several trails in Quebec that allow you to admire beautiful ones. Here are a few located very close to each other, in Lanaudière.

Mary Tison
The Press

Swaggin’s Fall

At the start of the Swaggin River trail, in Saint-Côme, a small sign reminds us that the deer hunting season takes place from November 5 to 14. The trail is not closed during this time, but very flashy colors are recommended.

So far, no deer in sight. We only see a squirrel carrying in its mouth what seems to be moss which will perhaps be used to insulate its dwelling for the winter.

The path is particularly muddy: it is better to have good walking shoes to face the challenge.

But soon, a muffled rumble made us forget the difficulty. Could this already be the fall? They’re more like big rapids, a kind of taster for what’s to come. Indeed, you have to walk a few hundred meters more to arrive in front of the impressive main waterfall, which flows into a pool where it is surely good to swim in the middle of summer. You can continue to walk a few hundred meters more to visit other waterfalls, smaller, but just as photogenic: the water gracefully tumbles down stone stairs to continue on its way.

With the cold coming, small icicles will probably form here and there, which promises very pretty pictures. The frost will have another advantage: solidifying the mud and making the trail a little friendlier. However, you will need to bring hiking crampons to negotiate the ice that will surely form on the trail.

We can return to the starting point. Or you can walk the entire Swaggin Trail to its western terminus, via the summit of the Edge.

Birch Waterfall

The Boule trail has the same starting point as the Swaggin trail. The small sign at the start is more of a killjoy, however: the trail is completely closed for the deer hunting period, from November 5 to 14. However, it will be just as beautiful in mid-November.

Take advantage of the last days before closing time to explore the trail by crossing the footbridge that crosses the L’Assomption River. The sector is less visited than the previous one, so it’s a little less muddy.

In fact, the trail is loaded with pine needles that form a comfortable cushion or fallen leaves that crunch under the sole.

Suddenly, a big commotion: two ruffed grouse take off with a crash.

We feel that the rapids are not far away: foam begins to form large patterns on the river depending on the currents and counter-currents. Indeed, after a few minutes of hiking, we see the L’Assomption River rush into large rapids. A small half-torn sign indicates that it is the Chute à Bouleau. It’s pretty, but not as impressive as Swaggin’s Fall. The attraction of the trail therefore lies more in the forest itself, with its sweet-smelling pines and its ground covered in very green moss.

The fall to Bull

As long as you’re in the area, why not take a short trip to the Parc régional de la Chute-à-Bull? The hiking trails are not very long, but they are particularly scenic, starting with the one that follows the Boule River and leads to the fall itself.

Interpretation panels placed along the path allow you to learn more about the log drive that took place on the Boule, a tributary of the L’Assomption river, in the 19th century.^e and at the beginning of the XX^e century.

In particular, they allow us to know that it was Mr. Henry Bull, the first logger in the area, who gave his name to the falls and the river.

Small waterfalls decorate the path to the fall itself, an impressive height of 18 m. During the period of the log drive, we had built a wooden slide right next to the fall to allow the logs to descend in a slightly less chaotic way. Only a few pieces of wood remain from this infrastructure.

Elsewhere in the province

Here are some trails worth checking out for those who like waterfalls and waterfalls

Delaney Falls

Solidarity cooperative Vallée Bras-du-Nord

A trail that follows the Bras-du-Nord River to end at a beautiful waterfall.

Oak Creek

Mont-Orford National Park

A trail that climbs the side of Mount Orford following a stream that forms small waterfalls.

Windigo Falls

Devil’s Mountain Regional Park

The impressive Windigo Falls is at the start of the trail, but you can continue the walk to L’Abri du vent.

Luskville Falls

Gatineau Park

Luskville Falls sits at the foot of the Eardley Escarpment. It would be a shame not to continue to the top for a beautiful view of the Ottawa Valley.