With its mountains and numerous lakes, Saint-Donat is the destination of choice for outdoor enthusiasts in search of the great outdoors. It's the perfect place to get away from it all for a few days and experience nature at its best.
Here's our suggested itinerary for discovering the Saint-Donat area for a few days this summer.
DAY 1
You can't pass through Saint-Donat without taking one of its many hiking trails. In addition to being all free and allowing you to bring your dog on a leash, the hiking trails around Saint-Donat lead to breathtaking views, and there's plenty to choose from. Whether you're in the mood for a more challenging hike, or you'd prefer to hike with the kids, there are hiking trails for all levels of difficulty in the area.
As a family, we suggest heading for Mont Sourire. This trail boasts an incredible view of Lac Ouareau from its summit... and it's only 1 km from the parking lot! It's the perfect place to motivate the troops to reach an easily accessible viewpoint. If you're in the mood for a bigger challenge, there's a hut a little further along the trail.
Intermediate hikers are also spoilt for choice in the surrounding area. Cap de la fée or Mont Ouareau offer a nice moderate cardiovascular challenge, ideal for getting moving without spending all day on it. These two trails, each between 5 and 6.5 km in length, offer magnificent views of the region's mountains and lakes.
Experienced hikers will be delighted by the challenge of the Montagne Noire and its viewpoint. This 13 km loop also takes you past the crash site of the Liberator Harry aircraft. At an altitude of 875 m, you can imagine the beauty of the scenery that awaits you at the summit.
An entrance to Parc national du Mont-Tremblant is also just a few kilometers north of the village of Saint-Donat. The Pimbina-Saint-Donat sector is close by, and offers a host of activities including camping, hiking, beach, fishing and wildlife observation. You can even pick up a paddleboard at Time'sup Aventures. The Sentier de l'Envol and the Chute-aux-Rats are the two trails we recommend for your first visit.
DAY 2
In the heart of the bustling city center, you'll find a city park popular with visitors and locals alike: Parc des Pionniers. This park, which is free to enter in both summer and winter, offers a wide range of activities.
In the summer, Parc des Pionniers is the place to enjoy the beach and the trails. Watercraft can also be rented on site. You'll soon find that you can easily spend the whole day here.
What's more, it's now possible to take a cruise on Lac Archambault to admire its beauty. Board the Saindon, a modern bateau-mouche that offers a panoramic view of Archambault Lake. These 90-minute animated cruises allow you to admire the region's brilliant colors in early fall. Why not combine your cruise with a gourmet meal at a local restaurant or a recreational activity. Whether you book with family, a group or friends, the Saindon can even be privatized for a tailor-made experience.
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Mountain biking trails are also available. From intermediate to expert level, the 6 km trails promise thrills and challenges. For beginners, the 3 km Donatienne loop is the perfect introduction. Access to the trails is free, but online registration is required.
DAY 3
The Saint-Donat area is also well known for its road bike enthusiasts, who meet up for a day on the road. The Nordet is very popular with more experienced cyclists. This 84 km cycling circuit is a must in the region, but is for experienced cyclists, as the route is mountainous and a wide bike lane is not always possible along the way.
The Tour des deux lacs de Saint-Donat (Lac Ouareau and Lac Archambault) is another well-known cycling circuit. Its 66 km allow you to cross undulating, winding roads with views of the lakes along the way.
Finally, each of these great alternatives for a day outdoors ends nicely over a local beer at the Brouemalt microbrewery. On the terrace, you can enjoy a beer brewed on site over a delicious meal.
ACCOMMODATION SUGGESTIONS IN THE SAINT-DONAT AREA
- Kabania
- Le Grand R
- Chalets Évasion
- Chalets Arseneault
- Expérience Equinox
- Hébergement du Lac Copping
- Chalets O NOR
- Camping du Lac croche
- Refuges des parcs régionaux de la Matawinie
- Camping parc national du Mont-Tremblant, secteur Pimbina-Saint-Donat
WHERE TO EAT IN SAINT-DONAT AND ITS SURROUNDINGS
- Microbrasserie Brouemalt
- Le Bouillon
- Restaurant Aux 3 copains
- Rôtisserie Saint-Hubert de Saint-Donat
EVENTS NOT TO BE MISSED THIS SUMMER IN THE SURROUNDINGS OF SAINT- DONAT
- Un été tout en culture | 5 juillet au 30 août 2025
- Symphonie des couleurs | 20 septembre au 12 octobre 2025
Make the most of your visit to Saint-Donat to explore the surrounding area and take one of the Goûtez Lanaudière tours, which will take you on a number of gourmet discoveries.
To find out all about the Saint-Donat outdoor destination and discover all there is to visit, consult the destination page.
