Magnificent falls

The Desjardins Trail is the main attraction of the Monte-à-Peine-et-des-Dalles Regional Park. Stretching up to 5 km, it follows the L’Assomption River and connects several of the park’s main points of interest. Waterfalls, bridges, forests, and riverside areas unfold one after another along the hike.

Starting in Saint-Jean-de-Matha and heading toward Sainte-Béatrix, the route takes you across the suspension bridge near the Monte-à-Peine Falls and along the Desjardins Falls. If you want to see more, the trail network makes it easy to add other trails to your hike. Near Sainte-Béatrix, a detour along the Gorge Trail leads to the Dalles Falls and two other suspension bridges.

The Desjardins Trail is therefore not a single loop with a fixed route. Rather, it serves as the main spine of a network where you can adjust the distance and route based on the time you have available. Some sections are fairly accessible, while the terrain becomes rougher as you head toward Sainte-Mélanie.

This is a top choice for a hike in Lanaudière if you’re looking more for river and waterfall scenery than a climb to a summit.

Access to the trail:

The Desjardins Trail is accessible through the park’s three entrances. To start from Saint-Jean-de-Matha, go to 440 Sainte-Louise Street West, near the coordinates 46.2042, -73.5580. You can also access the trail network at 561 Rang des Dalles in Sainte-Béatrix or 60 Avenue de la Champs-Vallon in Sainte-Mélanie. Since several trails connect to the Desjardins Trail, consult the official park map or download the Ondago map before your hike to choose your route and return point.