Sentier du Lac en Coeur
Region : Lanaudière (Qc)
Start : Ch. Du lac Long/ Ch. Du lac McGrey
Distance from start : 7km-10km (inaccurate)
Parking : At the foot of the trail
Fee : no
Trail Markings : Orange Markers & Quotes on Happiness – Well Marked
Washroom : No
Maps: Click here (Updated by us)
Website : Click here (fr)
Warnings : Maps on website are not up to date.
Date of hike : August 27, 2013
As much as we love hiking in the Adirondacks, we find it important to get to know the trails of Québec. Last time we were in Rawdon (QC), we got our hands on the official tourist booklet of the region which has a good section on the trails. We chose this one because of the length of the trail and because it’s one of the rare free ones.
We started off by checking out their website which somewhat summarizes the trail but gives no information about how to get there other than : Go to the post office of Mandeville and check out our board describing how to get there. We didn’t find the board so we asked for directions (which we will share). Seriously, if the “board” gives the same map as the one on the internet, ask for directions!!!
Also, the map on the internet is not up to date. There are many beaver dams around Lac de l’eau Claire that forced them to re-direct the trails. Don’t worry, they are very well marked.
The trail is of three loops around the three lakes and two view points.
We went up to the second loop and then decided to head back by passing by one of the view points. For the second one, you have the choice to either go up to the view point or stay low and walk on the trail along the lake. We chose the later.
The trails
For most of the trail, you are in the woods. There are some nice rest points around the lakes.
There are three loops that go around the three lakes (although, on the original map, there are only two loops)
The trail is advertised to be 7km for the loop around the 1st lake and 10.7km for the whole two loops.
We used the application “Sports tracker” and found that for the medium loop, it took us 4 hours (at a pace of about 4km/hr). The final result was 14km!
Although the information is clearly outdated, the trail is not. For a free trail, it is very well taken care of.
The view point that we went to offered a great panoramic view of the region and the lakes.
How to get to sentier du Lac en Coeur from Mandeville
All of the directions you find will tell you to go to 225, rue Desjardins, Man
deville (QC). From there:
- Continue on Rue Desjardins
- Right on Chemin de la rivière Mandeville
- Right on Chemin du Lac Ligny
- Right on Chemin du Lac Long
- Chemin du Lac Long becomes Chemin du Lac MgGrey after Avenue 4
The trail is right after this intersection to your left. Park on the right side of the road
Follow these directions towards Lac en Coeur
Lac en Coeur – Trail Start