How all the Ways to Experience the Falls sets itself apart from other natural landmarks
With all the beauty in the historical Old Quebec, it’s easy to stay tucked into the city. But a quick 15-minute drive out in the beautiful Canadian landscape leads you straight to a natural landmark. Let me count the ways Montmorency Falls in Quebec City invites you to experience its breathtaking views.
Quebec City’s Towering Wonder: Montmorency Falls
Montmorency Falls stands a tall 272 feet (83 meters), which is about 99 feet (30 meters) higher than Niagara Falls. The falls are established as the waters from the Montmorency River make its way into the St. Lawrence River. When looking at pictures from afar, you don’t realize there is a second falls on the very top, which has a short drop. The second drop is essentially what you see in pictures.
By Foot, Stairway, Cable Car, and Bridge – 5 Ways to Experience Montmorency Falls in Quebec City
One of the best things about Montmorency Falls in Quebec City are all the ways you can experience it. For those wanting to ease into it, they can take a stroll on the main pathway from the ground. There’s an immediate view of the falls and going further down the boardwalk leads you much closer. It’s a wide pathway, which makes it accessible and allows a closer view while still on the ground.
For those wanting a workout, that closer viewpoint leads you to the entry point for the wooden stairs on the sandy mountain. You can climb all the way to the top if you’d like. Or like most people, use the stairs on the way down. The stairs are set in a zig-zag pattern. There are two resting points with roofs, so you can take refuge from the sun, and get a mid-point view. And then a final viewpoint on top.
The cable car is the leisurely way to head to the top and widely used. It’s spacious, with windows top to bottom and people will be grouped in together. It takes a few minutes, moving slowly, so you can take lots of pictures on the way. Personally, after viewing and taking a few shots of the waterfalls, I turned my attention over to the bridge.
Don’t want to waste time climbing stairs? Or want a more thrilling way to experience the falls? For adventurers, a zipline across the falls is the ultimate way to experience it.
Suspension Bridge View Over Montmorency Falls
Of course, it’s not always just one way a person experiences Montmorency Falls. The bridge is another popular option people enjoy the falls, which is directly over it. One could head to the bridge and look straight down into the falls.
I took the cable car to the top, but once there, there’s an additional walk. And some stairs (a few short flights), keep that in mind. On the walk there I was able to get a better view of the stairs peeking in between trees and bushes.
Make sure to get pictures once you reach the bridge since you’ll likely be eager to check on the falls. The suspension bridge is impressive and tall and feels like a gateway when I reached it.
As you cross the bridge, some people like to move through while others pick a spot and park. Lots of people are talking photos so you’ll need to work around that. While there, everyone was respectful so you shouldn’t have a big issue. Like any other crowded area, wait it out for a better view.
The Other Waterfall Pictures Miss at Montmorency
There are two sections of the falls. There’s a quick drop at the very top and then a second more true waterfall, where most of the height is. On the bridge you get a different view based on which side you’re looking from. The shorter top part of the waterfalls was louder, perhaps because on the bridge you’re much closer to the action in that spot.
There were two thin tree trunks that fell into the water and got stuck on the top of the falls. I wanted to pick them out and kept watching. Hoping the pressure of the waters would push them further down but no luck.
Visiting in October, the trees were beginning to change colors. It was great view, even with the tree trunks. I was surprised by how calm the waters are above the top of the falls. Almost like the same water is producing two separate pictures.
The Long Drop and Beyond
On the other side of the falls, you get a view of the long drop. It was a little hypnotic and comfortable staring down into the crushing waters. From the middle of the bridge, you can get another look of the stairs and the observation deck on each side. You can also see the other suspension bridge, Orleans Island Bridge, and forest in the far distance.
It’s an interesting view but my eyes kept heading towards the observation deck and the trees filling the mountainside. This was a late afternoon visit so the sunlight was beginning to hit the foliage. The sight was calming despite the noise.
After all the pictures, I continued the bridge and found tables on the other side. Taking a little break, I snapped more pictures of the suspension bridge. There are walking trails in case you wanted to spend more time in the park. But for tourists like me, just over an hour was enough time to enjoy the falls.
Only regrets, I would’ve liked to walk the pathway to a closer view at the bottom of the falls or getting the view from one of the observation decks. But a must-do list is already being prepped for a future visit.
The sights at Montmorency Falls in Quebec City are simple but all the ways one could experience the falls sets itself apart from other natural landmarks. If visiting Quebec City, and you need to take a breather from the urban landscape, Montmorency is just a quick drive away.
