Walking the Wolf Trail – A Fall Rhapsody Adventure Gatineau, Quebec Canada.

This autumn, my wife Sarah, our dog Myah, and I set out on one of Gatineau Park’s most celebrated hikes: the Wolf Trail, also known as Trail 62 or Blanchet Trail. Starting from P13 near Blanchet Beach on Meech Lake, this loop is widely considered one of the park’s most difficult routes—and after completing it, we can say it more than lives up to its reputation. With a 220-metre climb through mature forest, steep ascents and declines, and rugged terrain, the Wolf Trail demands effort, but the rewards are unforgettable.

Right from the beginning, we were immersed in the magic of Fall Rhapsody, the park’s showcase of autumn colours. Towering maples, oaks, and birches were ablaze with red, orange, and gold, carpeting the forest floor in a kaleidoscope of fallen leaves. Along hidden ridge lines, small hilltop lakes appeared like jewels between the trees, their still waters reflecting the fiery canopy above. Every bend in the trail seemed to reveal a new vista—whether a glimpse into the Gatineau Hills or a distant view across the Ottawa River Valley.

The climb toward Tawadina Lookout was both challenging and exhilarating. The path twisted steeply upward through dense forest, but at the summit we were rewarded with one of the park’s finest panoramas. From here, the Ottawa River stretched out beneath us, framed by rolling hills painted in autumn hues. Later, at Mahingan Lookout, benches offered a chance to pause, breathe, and soak in another perspective of the surrounding landscape—wilder, more secluded, but equally stunning. These high points reminded us why this hike is worth every ounce of energy.

Wildlife was everywhere. Jays flitted noisily from branch to branch, squirrels and chipmunks darted underfoot with their cheeks stuffed full of acorns, and the steady drumming of woodpeckers echoed through the forest. We heard and saw Downy, Hairy, and the magnificent Pileated Woodpecker during our walk. Overhead, ravens danced and rolled on the breeze, their coarse cronk calls carrying across the hills. Turkey Vultures circled high on rising thermals, while along the park’s fringes a Peregrine Falcon streaked across the sky, hunting at incredible speed. A few Broad-Winged Hawks were also heard deep in the woodland, their sharp whistles carrying from the canopy, and we caught sight of one or two slipping quietly between the trees in search of smaller birds.

Along the way, we stopped often at beautiful spots to capture on camera the amazing variety of landscapes that make this trail so special. From mirror-still lakes to quiet forest glades and rugged rocky outcrops, every pause revealed something worth photographing. The Wolf Trail is as much a feast for the eyes as it is a challenge for the legs, and we found ourselves constantly inspired to try and bottle some of that magic through the lens.

The soundscape was just as memorable as the views: the whisper of wind in the treetops, the drumming of woodpeckers, and the occasional calls of ravens or hawks combined to create a soundtrack that felt uniquely autumnal. Pausing for lunch at the summit, we sat quietly, breathing in the crisp, clean air and letting the forest surround us. There are few better places to stop and feel so completely immersed in nature.

But the moment that will stay with us forever came near the end of the hike. As we descended back toward the car park, no more than ten minutes from finishing, we were stunned to see a beautiful black bear cross the trail ahead of us. It paused only briefly, then slipped silently back into the bush, leaving us awestruck. It was a fleeting but magical encounter—one of those experiences you never forget and never take for granted.

The Wolf Trail is not an easy walk—it’s rugged, demanding, and best suited for hikers prepared for steep climbs and challenging terrain. But it’s also one of Gatineau Park’s most rewarding experiences, offering a rich combination of wildlife, sweeping vistas, hidden lakes, and the breathtaking palette of autumn. For us, it was a day filled with colour, sound, movement, and memory—a true celebration of nature’s beauty during one of the most spectacular times of year.

Whether you call it Wolf Trail, Trail 62, or Blanchet Trail, this is a hike we can’t recommend highly enough. If you love the outdoors and want to feel fully immersed in the wild landscapes of Gatineau Park, the Wolf Trail is a journey that will stay with you long after the last leaves have fallen.

Thanks for reading.

Rich, Sarah & Myah the Dog xxx