P6 - Walking/Hiking Trail
The walking/hiking trail ( the Lauriault Trail ) begins and ends at the P6 parking lot. ( scroll down for photos )
The walking trail at P6 offers a good alternative for someone who would like to enjoy the Gatineau Park, but doesn't ski. It is also an interesting option for a couple, when one person would rather walk, while the other wants to ski (note that ski trails # 7 and # 15 also start from P6).
It is maintained as a real walking trail (not a snowshoeing trail). It loops back to P6. All together, it's about 3 kilometres long, and takes anywhere from 1.5 to 2 hours to walk. It has quite a few hills (up and down), so it is not just a casual stroll. The first part of the trail follows a brook, and is very scenic. About half way through the loop, you'll come to a high point of the Gatineau Hills which overlooks the Ottawa Valley and Ottawa River for a great view.
About two-thirds of the way around the loop, assuming you are going around clockwise, you come to a more open area with picnic tables and an outhouse toilet. This is where the trail crosses the Champlain Parkway (which is used for cross-country skiing). Because there are a number of trails heading off in different directions at this point, it's possible to lose track of the walking trail. However, you should head across the Parkway into what is a parking lot for Lac Mulvhill during the summer, and then turn right. From here there are a number of signposts for the trail, and it should be possible to figure things out with a little looking around. At this point you'll be on the final stretch of the loop and heading back to P6. There is no fee for using the Lauriault walking trail.
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(Photos from this trail - click on the images for larger pictures )
Photo(s) and web page, © Michael McGoldrick, 2006.
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