Located in Québec’s Lanaudière region, about 90 minutes from Montreal or 45 minutes from the Mont-Tremblant, Montagne Noire (also occasionally referred to as the Black Mountain or the Liberator Trail) is a popular hiking destination near the resort village of Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm, itself a popular spot for weekend getaways among beautiful mountains and majestic lakes. The Montagne Noire is also well-known for a historically macabre reason – it is the site of the worst accident in Canadian military aviation history. The Consolidated Liberator III (also known as Liberator Harry) crashed near the summit in 1943, and today you can visit some of the wreckage that still lies around the trail. In part because you can visit the plane crash site and learn more about the plane and its crew’s history, the Montagne Noire hike is one of our favourites to do in the area, so we put together this Montagne Noire Hiking Guide to help you plan your outdoor adventure here, which will include details on the trail difficulty, how long you should plan for to complete the hike, and on the various viewpoints the trail offers. At the end of the guide, we will compare this hike with other popular trails in the area to help you decide if you are hesitating between a few different hiking options.
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You might also be interested in these pages:
Best Hiking Trails Near Mont-Tremblant
Best Hiking Trails Near Montreal
Best Hiking Trails in the Eastern Townships
Quebec Hiking Trails that Are Stunning in Winter
Montagne Noire Location and Map
Montagne Noire is located in the Lanaudière region, just east of the border with the Laurentian region (link to Google Maps). The trailhead is a few kilometres southwest of the resort village of Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm.
How to Get to Montagne Noire
The easiest way to reach the Montagne Noire trailhead is by car. Although you can reach Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm by bus from Montreal (via the Circuit 125 bus), you will have to figure out an alternative means to reach the trailhead from there.
From Montreal: about 1h30 drive (130 km)
From the Mont-Tremblant area: about a 45-to-60 minute drive (60-70 km), depending on whether you are leaving from the town of Mont-Tremblant or the ski resort area.
From Ottawa: about a 2h30 drive (214 km)
From Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm: about 10 minutes (10 km)
From Trois-Rivières: about 2h15 drive (175 km)
If you need to book a rental vehicle for your hiking excursion, we highly recommend using Discover Cars to get the best rates on your rental in Montreal.
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Montagne Noire Hiking Trail Access, Fees, and Parking
Trailhead & car park location: The trail can be reached from two nearby parking lots. P1 is the main car park, and a short drive down the road is P2 (you will likely pass by P2 before you reach P1 if you are arriving from the south). Both car parks are connected to the main trail, but the route is shorter from P1 (parking at P2 will add about 500m to the trail in each direction).
Trail access & parking fees: Free – but prior online registration is required.
Trail opening Hours: 24 hours
Parking lots: Both car parks are fairly large, so it’s highly unlikely that you won’t find space in one or the other. But arriving early is best to guarantee a spot in P1.
Facilities: Dry toilets are available by the P1 car park.
Montagne Noire Trail Details and Map
Distance: 13.0 km *
Route Type: Loop
Elevation gain: 456 m (cumulative elevation gain: 549 m)
Start point: Trailhead and Car Park P1
AllTrails rating: (4.5, 1231 ratings (2024))
Duration: Most people complete the trail in about 3h45-4h15
*The AllTrails app lists the distance as 12 km, but we tracked it at 13 km and several other users have stated the same in the trail reviews.
Not an AllTrails member yet? We highly recommend signing up for either their free or paid membership plans. The free plan allows you to find new trails and plan routes but it can only be used while hiking if you have access to mobile data. The paid membership plan (AllTrails+) allows you to download trail maps for offline use and provides live progress updates and off-route notifications.
If you are still uncertain – you should know that the All Trails mobile application was voted the 2023 iPhone App of the Year by Apple.
Other Montagne Noire Details
– Canine companions: Dogs are permitted on leashes.
– Summit: Montagne Noire summit is located at an altitude of 887 m
– Trail environment: Forest (you will be under tree cover for most of the trail), though there is a short portion near the middle of the ascent where the path is wide enough to have open skies above you.
– Number of viewpoints: The trail boasts 4 main viewpoints (3 aerial viewpoints and 1 lakeside viewpoint). The only truly panoramic viewpoint is the final viewpoint on the summit, from atop a 4-story wooden tower.
– Trail Surface / Technical trail: The majority of the Montagne Noir is on a flat, even, and wide trail path, making it a fairly easy and family-friendly ascent. This changes, however, shortly before reaching the crash site, where the trail significantly narrows and becomes rocky. This continues between the crash site and the summit’s observation tower. Some of these sections can be quite muddy as well.
– Average trail slope grade: 9% (though not a very steep slope, the ascent is fairly continuous over the first 6 km of the trail).
–Trail difficulty level: Moderately Challenging
(based on our personal assessment, taking into account the trail length, slope grade and trail surface – 5-point difficulty scale: Very easy, Easy, Moderate, Moderately Challenging, Challenging)
– Other information: The Montagne Noire / Liberator Trail is actually part of a longer trail known as the Inter-Centre trail, a 26.7km Point-to-Point trail with several shelters for hikers available along the trail. For more information, you can consult the Inter-Centre trail website. For the ascent part of the loop, you will be following the Inter-Center trail.
Montagne Noire Trail Description and Summary
As we indicated above, the trail from the get-go is well-manicured with a wide and flat path. There are a few short segments along the way where the trail becomes slightly rocky and uneven, but nothing that really presents a challenge.
Around the 1.5 km mark, you will come across a sign indicating a viewpoint. The short detour will bring you to an opening in the forest with nice views of Lac Archambeault. Although the viewpoint is partially obstructed by foliage, it’s still large enough to be appreciated. We’ve heard that many come up to this point and then turn back for a short 3 km hike. There are also a few picnic tables in this spot by the viewpoint.
The next 2 km of the trail are pleasant but fairly uneventful until you reach Lac Lézard (you’ll have to take a short side trail that descends to the lakeshore), which is more like a large pond than an actual lake. It’s a worthy short detour, one where you can linger a bit to enjoy the scenery and rest a little, as it’s another half hour or so until you reach the next site of interest.
After the lake, it’s another 2 km of ascending the trail (with a few steeper and rocky sections) towards the crash site. Even though you know it’s coming, it’s surprising and a shock to see the first pieces of the wreckage.
Here you will also find several information panels detailing some of Libertor Harry’s history including the circumstances that led to the crash. You will also come across a small cemetery honoring those who lost their lives during the crash, and an observation tower that you can climb for an aerial view of the surrounding area.
Some Quick Facts about the Liberator Harry Crash
The Liberator Harry crash was an aerial accident that killed 24 people?—?the worst accident in Canadian military aviation history. On 19 October 1943, during a routine flight from Gander, Newfoundland to Mont-Joli, Quebec, a combination of inclement weather and a mapping error caused the Liberator to collide with the summit of Black Mountain (La Montagne Noire), killing all those on board. On the night of the crash, Saint-Donat villagers remember hearing the noise of a large aircraft passing overhead and moments later an impact but search and rescue efforts were not successful. As soon as the aircraft’s disappearance was noted, Canada’s eastern aerial command conducted over 2,400 flight hours of searches along the planned route of the Liberator during the following month, after which the search was called off.
It wasn’t until 1946, nearly three years later, that Liberator Harry’s wreckage was accidentally found while searching for another aircraft that had been recently reported as missing.
After visiting the crash site, some people chose to return the way they came towards the trailhead. But for those feeling more adventurous, continuing along the trail for another kilometre will take you to the mountain’s summit. It is worth noting however that this final kilometre is along a more challenging section of the trail, one that is very rock, narrow and uneven.
Once you make it to the summit, you’ll quickly notice the tall 4-storey wooden observation tower, form you will get amazing 360-degree panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.
When you are ready to return, you could go back the way you came, but that will add about one kilometre to the return. The quickest way to return is along the Montagne Noir trail, which roughly runs parallel to the Inter-Centre trail you used to reach the summit. However, we found both the trail and scenery to be unspectacular along this trail, as it was designed for 4-wheelers.
So we decided to return to the Inter-Centre trail via the small connector trail near point #3 on the map below, therefore rejoining the original trail near Lac Lézard. We may seem to have lost a bit of time doing so, but the Inter-Centre trail is much smoother and easier to walk along.
Montagne Noire Hiking & Trail Tips
– Mosquitoes and black flies can be a nuisance at certain times during the year. The exact dates vary from year to year, but they are generally most present from mid-May to mid-July. Regardless of when you come, it’s always a good idea to carry some bug spray with you, just in case.
– Stick to the designated path to protect the surrounding environment.
– Best time to visit: We tend to prefer hiking in this area from mid-August to early November. The weather will be pleasant and the likelihood of being harassed by bugs is significantly reduced. Moreover. Note that trails are quite busy during the weekends of the leaf-peeping season (typically from late September to mid-October), so it’s best to arrive early or to try to come on a weekday.
The Inter-Centre trail is exclusively used for cross-country skiing come winter, but you can still reach the summit on foot (or with snow shoes) via the Montagne Noir trail
Hiking Packing List
All Trails subscription – This comes in really handy for areas with little or no cell reception, as the annual subscription allows you to download trail maps for offline use.
External Battery – If you are using your phone to track your progress along the trail or to help with navigation, you certainly don’t want your phone to die on you. That’s especially true in the unlikely event that you might get hurt or need assistance.
Hiking poles – These can be particularly useful in steep trails or muddy/boggy trail conditions.
Comparison with Other Nearby Trails
(updated in 2024)
| Mont Ouareau | Montagne Noire | Mont Kaaikop | Mont L’envol | Mont Sourire | |
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderately Challenging | Moderately Challenging | Easy | Easy |
| Time required | 1h45-2h15 | 3h30-4h30 | 2h15-2h45 | 1h-1h30 | 30-45 min |
| Dogs | yes (leash) | yes (leash) | yes (leash) | yes (leash) | yes (leash) |
| Access Fees | 10$ | Free | 8.70$ + tax | $9.85 + tax* | Free |
| Busy/popular | +++ | ++ | ++ | + | ++++ |
| Viewpoints | 4a | 4b | 3c | 2 | 1 |
b The best viewpoint is atop a wooden tower on the mountain’s summit
c The summit has two viewpoints, but a slight detour halfway up the hike offers a third
* Free with the SEPAQ annual pass
Which trail has the best bang for your buck (the best rewards for little effort)?
We would have to go with the Mont L’envol trail. Although there is some elevation gain (220m), the slope is gradual and the trail surface is mostly flat. In the end, you are rewarded with two of the best viewpoints in our opinion.
Which trail is the most technically difficult?
We would have to go with the Mont Kaaikop trail. Large portions of the trail are very rocky with a variety of small-to-medium boulders, mixed in with lots of tree roots and several very muddy sections (even after several days of nice weather). Fortunately, the viewpoints are spectacular making all that effort worthwhile.
We gave the Montagne Noire trail the same overall difficulty rating but that’s mostly due to the length of the trail, which is more than double that of the Mont Kaaikop trail.
Which trail offers something different?
This one is easy – the Montagne Noire trail. Why? Particularly because near the summit you will come across a famous plane crash site – the Liberator Harry that crashed here in 1943 (the worst accident in Canadian military aviation history). There weren’t any trails on the mountain back then, nor did anyone witness the crash. It took more than two years for the wreckage to finally be located. There are lots of informative panels around the site where you can learn more about the history of the plane and its crew.
Where to Stay near the Montagne Noir trail?
Though many visit the area as a day trip, spending a weekend (or longer) here can be a rewarding experience and would allow you to visit more of the region (and try out several of the beautiful hiking trails in the area). We particularly enjoy staying in the small town of Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm, which is strategically positioned between this trail and some of the other more popular trails in the region.
For great self-catering options, we can recommend one of the following Condo Lac Archambault units: 295, 326, 314, and 316. There is also this fantastic large modern wooden chalet with 3 bedrooms.
If you prefer a hotel, look no further than the Hotel Le Suisse, the town’s largest and best-rated hotel.
Want to Discover More Hiking Trails In Southern Québec?
You might be interested in these pages:
Best Hiking Trails Near Mont-Tremblant
Best Hiking Trails Near Montreal
Best Hiking Trails in the Eastern Townships
Quebec Hiking Trails that Are Stunning in Winter
Photography Gear
If you like our photography, you might be interested in some of the gear we use to shoot our travel and hiking destinations.
Camera Body – Nikon Z 6ii Fx-series Mirrorless Body
Main Lens – NIKON 24-120mm F/4G ED VR AF-S
Zoom Lens – Sigma 745-306 150-600mm f/5-6.3
Polarizing filters – Urth Circular Polarizing (CPL)
Camera Tripod – K&F Concept 64-inch Camera Tripod
Mini-tripod – Lammcou Flexible Camera Tripod
Camera/hiking backpack – Vanguard Alta Rise 48 Backpack
Universal Travel Adapter – VYLEE Universal International Power Travel Plug
Other Travel Essentials
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Car Rentals
Discover Cars is our go-to website for car rentals. We almost always find our preferred rate there.
Transfer from Airport
Welcome Pickups is our favourite private transfer service, which you can pre-book at a fixed price. Currently available in 220 cities all over the world (mostly in Europe, but with several major cities in Asia, the Middle East and the US).
Kiwitaxi is another private transfer service – we haven’t tried it yet, but it’s currently available in a few more countries (102 as of 2024).
Hotels and Accommodations (coming soon)
Photography Prints
If you found this blog useful, you can help support our blog by purchasing low-cost digital prints. Printed physical prints are also available for purchase.
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Well, that wraps it up! We hope you enjoyed our Montagne Noire Hiking Guide and that it will prove useful for planning your hiking trip.
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