The Oiseau Rock Hiking Trail in Quebec: Stunning Summit Scenery
In October of 2024, we tackled the Oiseau Rock Hiking Trail found in Quebec. The Oiseau Rock Hiking Trail is a stunning hike that takes you to multiple viewpoints, and is especially stunning during the fall. The hike is found two hours from Ottawa, and one hour from Pembroke. It’s in Quebec – but SUPER close to the Ontario border.
Oiseau Rock Hiking Statistics
- Distance: 8-10km
- Elevation: 300-400m
- Duration: 2.5 -3.5 hrs
- Type: Out & Back
- Difficulty: Beginner – Moderate
- Markings: There are marking at specific kilometres throughout the trail to let you know how far each way. The trail is easily identified for the most part (well-trodden).
- All Trails Link
- Dogs Allowed: Yes
- Washrooms: There is an outhouse at the start of the trail and washrooms where you pay for parking. No washrooms on the trail.
- Parking: There is a parking lot right at the start of the trail
- Cost: 12$ per vehicle
- Other: This hike is found on a ZEC property. The road is not in super great condition – SUV or larger recommended.
How To Get Here
This hike is found at the following google maps directions. It’s located within a ZEC (Québec’s zones d’exploitation contrôlée area) park, which is used for a variety of activities (boating, trails, ATV, snowmobile, hunting, etc). It’s located just outside the town of Sheenboro in Quebec.
- Distance from Ottawa: 2 hr
- Distance from Pembroke: 1 hr
You’ll be driving primarily through the Quebec countryside (it’s a beautiful drive), but once you start to get about 15 minutes out the roads are in rough condition. Once you get closer, there will be a wooden lodge on your lefthand side where you will need to go in and register (where you will pay the 12$ fee – you can pay by card). On this note, when you’re done the hike, you’ll need to drop off the piece of paper (registration) back off here quickly before you head out.
Our Experience
We did this hike on a Friday afternoon in Early October – the fall leaves were changing colour and the weather was perfect for hiking. The drive in was stunning – the leaves made for a beautiful drive.
After registering our vehicle and heading to the parking lot, we found no other vehicles or people were there! To note, it was hunting season and hiking was at our own risk (however it’s a clearly defined trail and we didn’t run into a single other person).
We started along the path and the first kilometre is primarily bridges and trees. Along the hike there are a total of two viewpoints, and a lake before the BIG viewpoint at the end of the hike (which is SO worth it). The lake has a picnic table and tons of spots to sit along the shore – it was truly picturesque.
The hike itself had some ups and downs, but nothing was super crazy or difficult and there were not any insanely steep parts. For the most part, the hike was relatively easy. The markers on the hike state it’s 8km (4 out, 4 back), but if you follow all the viewpoint markers / go off the path, it’s closer to 10km.
The viewpoint is what really brings you out to these woods though… at the end of the hike you get a steep cliff overlooking the Ottawa river. The viewpoint goes in many directions and each once has a unique vantage point that gives you a new view of the Ottawa river! This view is seriously stunning and was well worth the hike up in our opinion.
See You On The Trail!
This was the perfect afternoon adventure, especially in the fall months with perfect temperatures and colourful views. The viewpoint was really unexpected and the views along the way, especially the lake, made this hike worth it.
