Regional Park

Parc régional de la Forêt Ouareau

Establishment assessed on

Accessibility rating
Not accessible
Good to know
  • Accessible parking :0
Parking - Contreforts Area
Parking - Contreforts Area
Rest area near the start of the Murmures Trail - Grande-Jetée area
Rest area near the start of the Murmures Trail - Grande-Jetée area
Site entrance - Des Contreforts area
Site entrance - Des Contreforts area
Dry toilet - Des Contreforts area
Dry toilet - Des Contreforts area
Lac du Castor et pier - Contreforts area
Lac du Castor et pier - Contreforts area
Equipment Rental - Contreforts area
Equipment Rental - Contreforts area
Welcome kiosk - Pont-Suspendu area
Welcome kiosk - Pont-Suspendu area
Parking - Pont-Suspendu area
Parking - Pont-Suspendu area
Dry toilet - Secteur Pont-Suspendu
Dry toilet - Secteur Pont-Suspendu
Trail leading to the Ouareau river and rest area - Pont-Suspendu area
Trail leading to the Ouareau river and rest area - Pont-Suspendu area
Rest area - Pont-Suspendu area
Rest area - Pont-Suspendu area
Des Murmures trail - Pont-Suspendu area
Des Murmures trail - Pont-Suspendu area
Des Murmures trail - Pont-Suspendu area
Des Murmures trail - Pont-Suspendu area
Des Murmures trail - Pont-Suspendu area
Des Murmures trail - Pont-Suspendu area
Path leading to the suspension bridge
Path leading to the suspension bridge
Suspension bridge
Suspension bridge
View of the Ouareau river from the suspension bridge
View of the Ouareau river from the suspension bridge
Welcome kiosk - Grande-Jetée area
Welcome kiosk - Grande-Jetée area
P1 parking - Grande-Jetée area
P1 parking - Grande-Jetée area
Multipurpose trail - Grande-Jetée trail
Multipurpose trail - Grande-Jetée trail
P4 parking - Grande-Jetée area
P4 parking - Grande-Jetée area
Access to the Murmures trail from P4
Access to the Murmures trail from P4
Des Murmures trail - Grande-Jetée area
Des Murmures trail - Grande-Jetée area
Des Murmures trail - Grande-Jetée area
Des Murmures trail - Grande-Jetée area
Des Murmures trail - Grande-Jetée area
Des Murmures trail - Grande-Jetée area
Des Murmures trail - Grande-Jetée area
Des Murmures trail - Grande-Jetée area
Des Murmures trail- Grande-Jetée area
Des Murmures trail- Grande-Jetée area
De la Petite rivière du Nord trail -  Grande-Jetée area
De la Petite rivière du Nord trail - Grande-Jetée area
De la Petite rivière du Nord trail - Grande-Jetée area
De la Petite rivière du Nord trail - Grande-Jetée area
Dry toilet - Grande-Jetée area
Dry toilet - Grande-Jetée area

Establishment details

Rest area

  • Rest area slope(%) : 25

Trail-Elevation

  • General elevation change on route : more than 6%
  • Steep slope-Percentage(%) : more than 12%

Trail-Surface

  • Main surface type : hard-packed earth
  • Presence of obstacles : rocks

Trail

  • Length(km) : 0,5
  • Average trail clear width (cm) : under 100 cm

Additional Information

Access to the trail is from parking lot P4. It is a linear trail leading to the Contrefort sector.
There is a rest area at the trailhead offering a view of the Ouareau River. From the parking lot to the river and this rest area, the trail is covered with large gravel, has no slope, and is relatively wide, making it partially accessible.
The width of the trail varies along its length and becomes very narrow in some places. The trail has many obstacles, including sand, large rocks, and roots. There are also bridges and bollards that narrow the passage to 38 cm. There are slopes of up to 30% and several sections require stepping over large rocks.

Rest area

  • Table(s) available : yes

Directional signage

  • Site map showing accessible services/routes : no
  • Raised elements present : no
  • Braille present : no

Additional Information

Several dry toilets are located at various points around the site, generally near trailheads. None of them are accessible, as they all have thresholds and no grab bars. There are no accessible picnic tables anywhere on the site.

Parking-Information

  • Parking type : outdoor
  • Number of reserved spaces for people with disabilities : 0

Exterior surface

  • Surface type : large gravel

Trail

  • Length(km) : 2,1
  • Average trail clear width (cm) : under 100 cm

Trail-Elevation

  • General elevation change on route : more than 6%
  • Steep slope-Percentage(%) : more than 12%

Trail-Surface

  • Main surface type : hard-packed earth
  • Presence of obstacles : rocks

Additional Information

The trail begins about 40 m from parking lot P2 and starts with a very steep 44% incline on a coarse gravel surface. It then continues into the forest via a narrow dirt path, varying in width from 40 to 60 cm.
The trail has many obstacles, including roots, logs, and rocks, as well as sections with slopes of up to 29%. Educational signs are posted along the trail.

Circulation aisle

  • Level : 1 step

Counter

  • Surface height (cm) : 112

Exterior surface

  • Surface type : large gravel

Payment terminal

  • Payment terminal type : wireless

Kiosk type

  • Kiosk type : reception

Additional Information

The reception desk is not accessible, but it is possible to purchase daily access directly on the park's website.

Trail-Surface

  • Main surface type : compacted stone dust
  • Secondary surface type : large gravel

Trail-Elevation

  • General elevation change on route : more than 6%
  • Steep slope-Percentage(%) : more than 12%

Trail

  • Average trail clear width (cm) : over 150 cm
  • Presence of obstacles : none

Additional Information

This is a multi-purpose trail connecting the visitor center to the P5 parking lot and serving all parking lots and trailheads. It is used by vehicles, but can also be used by pedestrians and cyclists. The trail is generally gently sloping, although some sections have gradients ranging from 10% to 20%.
Picnic tables are located near the visitor center, but none are accessible. Dry toilets are generally provided at each trailhead.

Rest area

  • Rest area available : no

Trail-Surface

  • Main surface type : hard-packed earth
  • Secondary surface type : large gravel
  • Presence of obstacles : rocks

Trail-Elevation

  • Steep slope present : yes
  • Steep slope-Percentage(%) : more than 12%

Observation point

  • Balustrade height (cm) : 106

Additional Information

There are two trails leading to the suspension bridge. The first, located near the river and the rest area, is sandy and inaccessible due to several obstacles, including a small bridge with two steps and large rocks along a 0.2 km stretch. The second trail starts directly at the parking lot, near the reception area. It is a dirt trail with steep slopes of up to 30%, with numerous large rocks and roots, covering a distance of approximately 0.5 km.
The suspension bridge has a 4 cm threshold at the arrival point and gaps of approximately 4 cm between the wooden slats.

Circulation aisle

  • Presence of slope : no

Rest area

  • Rest area available : yes
  • Type of surface : lawn

Exterior surface

  • Surface type : compacted stone dust

Directional signage

  • Raised elements present : no
  • Braille present : no

Additional Information

A rest area offering a view of the Ouareau River is located in the immediate vicinity of the parking lot. However, there are no adapted picnic tables available.
Two dry toilets are also located near the parking lot. They have a 19 cm threshold and no grab bars.

Payment terminal

  • Access to terminal : large gravel
  • Type of interface : digital screen
  • Payment possible via online app : yes

Parking-Information

  • Parking type : outdoor
  • Number of reserved spaces for people with disabilities : 0

Exterior surface

  • Surface type : large gravel

Trail

  • Average trail clear width (cm) : under 100 cm

Trail-Surface

  • Main surface type : hard-packed earth
  • Presence of obstacles : uneven

Trail-Elevation

  • Steep slope-Percentage(%) : more than 12%

Additional Information

Access to the Murmures trail is possible from the Pont-Suspendu sector and leads to the Grande-Jetée sector. At this location, some sections of the trail are very narrow, approximately 50 cm wide. The trail has slopes of up to 25% and features several steps, large rocks, and roots.

Kiosk type

  • Kiosk type : reception

Exterior surface

  • Surface type : compacted stone dust

Payment terminal

  • Payment terminal type : wireless

Counter

  • Surface height (cm) : 126

Directional signage

  • Site map showing accessible services/routes : no
  • Raised elements present : no
  • Braille present : no

Exterior surface

  • Surface type : large gravel

Rest area

  • Table(s) available : yes

Additional Information

Dry toilet located near the parking lot: 22 cm threshold, no grab bar, and accessible only via a steep 19% slope.
No picnic tables adapted for wheelchair users.

Exterior surface

  • Surface type : compacted stone dust

Parking-Information

  • Parking type : outdoor
  • Number of reserved spaces for people with disabilities : 0

Payment terminal

  • Access to terminal : concrete base
  • Controls-Height (cm) : 136
  • Payment possible via online app : yes

Exterior surface

  • Surface type : sand
  • Presence of obstacles : rocks

Circulation aisle

  • Slope(%) : 17

Additional Information

The route between the parking lot and the lake is approximately 100 feet long and includes a steep 17% slope on uneven ground (sand, rocks, and roots). Access to the dock is via a 76.5 cm wide walkway with no protective edge and a 12 cm threshold between the ground and the walkway.
To rent equipment, the key to the shed is provided by the person at the parking lot entrance or, if unavailable, at the suspension bridge reception desk. The padlock on the shed is located 130 cm above the ground.
No suitable equipment available.

Description

The Ouareau Forest Regional Park is a vast natural area dedicated to outdoor activities, divided into six sectors. The park offers a network of forest trails, most of which feature steep slopes and natural obstacles. No adapted equipment is available for loan and there are no toilets accessible throughout the site. The suspension bridge is not accessible.

Contact details

2007 chemin du Massif, Notre-Dame-de-la-Merci, Québec

819 424 1865 /

parcsregionaux@matawinie.org

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