Laurentides: an aerial trail in the forest and a 12-storey tower to observe nature

In Mont-Blanc, in the Laurentians, it is now possible to walk in the forest at the height of the trees and end your visit at the top of a 40-meter high observation tower, where the view of the region is impregnable.

This experience is possible at the Sentier des cimes which opened its doors to visitors a few weeks ago on the site of the former fish farm of Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré, the former name of the village of Mont-Blanc.

The aerial trail stretches for more than a kilometer through the forest, rising gently with a maximum gradient of 6% to the top of a tower the height of a building of 12 floors. Everything is made entirely of wood and metal.

At the start of the hike, visitors must cross the footbridge that connects the reception building to an elevator located inside a tower, smaller than the main tower, which allows them to climb up to the height of the path. air. From there, they can begin their walk to the great tower and its summit. All along the route, those interested can at leisure admire the landscape and linger at the learning stations on the fauna and flora. Games have also been planned for the youngest. Once at the top of the big tower, the immensity of the region is offered to hikers, over 360 degrees. The famous Mont Tremblant to the west can notably be seen from the top of the structure.

“People leave satisfied with their experience and often promise to come back or to get their annual card,” says the director of communications, marketing and human resources of the Sentier des cimes, Kathy Poulin, adding that “eventually, in a second phase, we hope to build a park for the children and even add other services”.

Currently, the Sentier des cimes offers visitors a bar-terrace, a restaurant, a picnic area and a souvenir shop on the site of the former fish farm.

The circuit is the result of a partnership between the MRC des Laurentides and the German company Erlebnis Akademie AG (EAK), which has already carried out a dozen similar projects in Europe. The aim was to give a second life to the old fish farm closed in 1992, a place that had already received thousands of visitors over the years.

Made of stone, the reception building of the old fish farm has been restored, but has kept its heritage character. “People who knew the old fish farm in Saint-Faustin-Lac-Carré tell us that nothing has really changed. That’s kind of the goal of this major project: to preserve the achievements, while showcasing our beautiful region,” says Kathy Poulin.

Since its opening at the end of July, the Sentier des cimes has mainly welcomed a regional clientele. “We also work a lot to attract groups, schools and clienteles from outside,” explains Ms. Poulin. Open 365 days a year, the Sentier des cimes hopes to welcome 180,000 visitors by the end of 2022.

Some data:

Total length of the Sentier des Cimes: 1350 meters

Tower height: 40 meters

Tower diameter: 20 meters

Tower shape: nonagon

Number of rotations from bottom to top: 11

Walkway length (around the tower): 720 meters

Maximum slope: 6%

Summit altitude: 362 meters