© C. Labonté
Get ready to look up and push your limits by going climbing in the Outaouais. Whether you want to scale a tower, tackle impressive rock faces, try your hand at bouldering or take private lessons, the region has plenty of opportunities for a vertical getaway.
Located on the shore of the Poisson Blanc Reservoir, the Base de plein air Air-Eau-Bois is a real natural sanctuary. Adults and children alike can try their hand at climbing. Tackle the climbing wall that matches your level of experience: there’s one equipped with artificial holds, one combining artificial and natural holds, and a completely natural route for those looking for a challenge!
Gatineau Park is ideal for experienced climbers! Bring your own equipment and immerse yourself in the heart of the forest as you climb one of the eight accessible rock faces. Consult the map of official rock climbing sectors to plan your expedition in the Home Cliff, Twin Ribs or Western Cwm sector. Hours of fun in the great outdoors!
Six storeys high and with a breathtaking view of Lac du Poisson Blanc, Kenauk Nature’s outdoor climbing tower is definitely worth the effort. Purpose-built, it has 210 square metres (2,250 square feet) of climbing surface. With friends or family, challenge yourself on the 9 routes, ranging from 5.6 to 5.11 and including 3 automatic belays.
On rainy days or when you’re up for a challenge, join a community of climbing enthusiasts at Klimat! Discover state-of-the-art facilities and solve over 80 problems on 300 square metres (3,200 square feet) of bouldering walls. On the second floor, there’s a specialized training centre with a Kilter Board, Campus Board, climbing beam, rings, bars, and much more.
Bloc 9.81 climbing gym in Gatineau features high quality boulders that are constantly being updated and changed to keep things interesting. In a dynamic, relaxed atmosphere, you can perfect your climbing techniques from visit to visit. For true enthusiasts, there’s a monthly Full Moon Night friendly climbing competition. After your climb, you can chat over a beer or a hearty meal in the on-site bistro.
Discover Altitude Gym, a unique climbing centre offering over 100 top roping and/or lead climbing routes, plus a 600-square-metre bouldering area. You can also enjoy the outdoor bouldering park in warm weather. Whether you’re a novice or an expert, you’ll enjoy the gym’s diverse climbing challenges.
Test your limits with experienced instructors at the École d’escalade de l’Outaouais. Sign up for guided outings to several exceptional sites: Panorama (Bowman Forest Regional Park), Gatineau Park (Eardley Escarpment sector), and Lonestar (Montebello). Whatever your training needs, you’ll be well supported!
Have we inspired you to start climbing or perfect your technique? Share your knowledge and connect with fellow climbing enthusiasts on the Club alpin Outaouais Facebook page (affiliated with the Alpine Club of Canada). + Here are a few more blog posts you might be interested in:
A traveler at heart, I love to explore forest trails and kayak on our beautiful lakes and rivers. For me, every outdoor adventure is done in duo with my canine best friend and ends with good food and a local microbrewery beer! The Outaouais is my adopted region and a huge territory to discover where nature is never far away!