Fall in Québec: where to find the best Autumn colors

Enjoy the magic of the Fall

The onset of Fall is a surefire reason to dust off that favorite soup recipe, sip a soothing chai latte, and slowly ease into the most visually stunning time of year. As we trade in the fast-paced madness of the first half of the year, there’s no better time to marvel at Québec’s dazzling display of autumnal colors.

You’ve probably noticed that stray yellow leaf crisping up, or maybe you’ve even felt a crunchy mass of leaves underfoot. One thing’s for sure, Fall is upon us! If you want to take advantage of the landscape as it bursts with Fall foliage this season, read on to pick up a few ideas.

When is the best time to see the colors?

Throughout the Fall you’ll be able to see Québec’s forests, national parks, and the rest of the countryside ablaze with colors such as harvest-yellow, burnt-orange, and crimson-red. It’s definitely a feast for the senses. Thanks to bonjour Québec’s interactive Fall foliage map, you can scroll around different parts of the province to see the different stages of Fall foliage in different locations. Right now, at the beginning of October, most locations are reporting “beginning soon” or “early”, meaning that you still have a while to enjoy the beautiful scenery. In general, October is the best month to take advantage of this once-a-year display.

Here’s a breakdown of the colors per month:

• End of September: Mainly green color. Early signs of yellow.
• Early October: Mainly orange colors. Red is also making an appearance.
• Mid-late October: Predominantly red colors. Leaves begin turning brown.
• November onward: Winter is starting. No more beautiful colors.

Check the map to see what the Fall colors are like in your area:

What are the best places to see the Fall colors?

Fall colors are an amazing sight throughout the province, and with so many options it can be hard to know where is the best place to see the multi-colored leaves glistening in the sunlight. We’ve picked a few of our favorite picks so you can be sure to take in the views whether you’re hiking, going for a simple stroll, or planning a weekend trip. Here are a few of our favorite places to visit not too far from Montréal.

Enjoy a day trip to Mont Tremblant

Perfect for a day-trip from Montreal, the cute mountain village of Mont Tremblant transports you to a Swiss-style ski resort, conveniently tucked away in the Laurentians. Just a stone’s throw away from Montréal, this is a great spot to watch the Fall colors change right before your very eyes. 

How can you get there?

The best part about Mont Tremblant is its accessibility. There are two daily departures (07:30 AM and 2:30 PM) with Galland that you can book directly on Busbud.  Average prices are usually $35 each way from Montréal. If you’re an early bird, why not take the 07:30 bus and curl up with a good book, or have a nap and wake up feeling like you’re in the French Alps? After you’ve spent a day wandering around and embracing nature’s finest season, you can hop on the 6:25 PM bus back to Montréal, just as the sun starts to go down. Maybe you’ll even get a pretty view of the sun setting behind the mountains.

Find bus tickets from Montréal to Mont Tremblant

What to do in Mont Tremblant

You can take the panoramic gondola to the top of the mountain and watch how the views get even better the higher up you go.  Adult prices are $25, but it’s well worth it! Once you get to the top, you’ll have stunning views of the Laurentians and Tremblant Lake. To top it off, you’ll have panoramic views of a dazzling array of colors on display. 

Hike to see the colors

While you’re in the mountains, it would be a shame not to take advantage of the hiking trails on offer. We highly recommend taking the gentle 2.98 km hike named The Grand-Prix des couleurs. As its name suggests, you won’t be let down by the warm autumnal colors along the hike. Even if hiking isn’t your favorite hobby, we guarantee that you’ll change your mind after taking in the breathtaking views. Whether you’re tackling it alone, with a loved one, or the rest of the family, there’s no greater way to truly feel those Fall vibes. 

Busbud top-tip!

For a memorable afternoon, why not pack a picnic? Fill up a thermos with a scrumptious pumpkin spiced hot chocolate, pack a picnic blanket, and toss in a few of your favorite snacks, et voilà! Find a quiet spot to take in the mountain and lake vistas and contemplate life as you get in the Fall spirit.

See the Fall colors in The Eastern Townships

This is a destination that comes alive in Fall, when deep amber hues and notes of burnt honey-orange literally fill the horizon. Dotted with small and quaint villages, the Townships charm is best felt this time of year as summer winds down and a cool breeze blows through the region. Our highlights would have to be Mount Orford and the Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises for something a little different.

Magog

Magog is a small town surrounded by natural beauty, and is very close to several lakes and national parks. Even just driving into Magog you’re bound to see some beautiful countryside along the way. Located just a few minutes outside of downtown Magog, the Marais de la Rivière aux Cerises offer some incredible walks through the marshlands. Not only is this a great place to get some fresh country air, it is also an incredibly biodiverse area. You can bird-watch to your heart’s content and if you time it right, you might come across some interesting wildlife on your walk.

How can you get there?

Magog is extremely accessible by bus from Montréal with many daily departures. The earliest bus leaves at 06:00, and the latest at 16:45, which means you can really take advantage of your schedule. Average prices are $37 and it’s a 1h30 trip. Escaping the hustle and bustle of the city really is only a bus trip away.

Find bus tickets from Montréal – Magog

La Flambée des couleurs at Orford

La Flambée des couleurs takes place every weekend between the 16th of September and the 16th of October in Magog and Mount Orford. Everybody is focused on enjoying the Fall, which is why these are the best weekends to witness Fall in full flow. Whether you want to visit Mount Orford National Park to take advantage of the unique hikes, or just take the cable car to the top to admire the views, these are the best weekends to book a ticket to get to the top of the mountain and soak up the natural beauty. Adult prices are only $9.25.

Busbud top-tip!

Looking for a family day trip? Book La Flambée des couleurs family pass for 2 adults and 2 children. The whole family can zoom to the summit of Mount Orford for a true Fall experience!

The colors in Montréal

Autumnal colors can also be seen in the city, of course, and you can enjoy this natural marvel in the island of Montréal. If you have a day or two to spare and want to take a mini staycation while it’s still warm enough, click here for some great ideas for a staycation in Montréal. For those of you looking to appreciate the changing of the seasons, head on over to Montréal’s Botanical Garden.

How can you get there?

If you’re coming from outside of Montreal, you have plenty of ways to reach the city. You can take a bus and stop at Montreal Gare D’Autocars, which is right in the city center. Another option is to take the train, which will drop you off at Gare Central, leaving you with plenty of options to get to anywhere in the city by public transportation.

Montréal Botanical Garden

Visiting the Botanical Garden will make you feel like you’re escaping the city without stepping off the island. The truly outstanding 30 thematic gardens allow you to meander through the wonders of nature from around the globe. Feel like taking a stroll on a crisp Fall day? You’ll definitely have the chance to connect with the earth amongst the 75 hectares of nature at your fingertips.

If you get tired of walking through the thematic gardens (we doubt you will!), then you can fling yourself under the shade of a nice tree and find a bit of calm. Of course, you can also learn a thing or two by heading over to one of the more unusual corners of the park. Perhaps the charm of the Japanese garden intrigues you? Or maybe you’d prefer to learn more about medicinal or toxic plants? Here, you’ll be spoiled for choice here. This is an amazing spot for a Sunday afternoon picnic too!

While in Montreal, the Gardens are very easy to get to. The most convenient way is to take the green line and get off at the Pie-IX metro station. From there it’s a short walk to the Botanical Gardens. 

Take in the views from Mount Royal

No Fall season would be complete without the mandatory hike to the summit of Mount Royal! If you want to snap some amazing selfies with the colors of Montréal in the background, you should take a leisurely walk to the top of the mountain. This is Montréal’s gift to its residents and is truly a place for everybody to appreciate the Fall colors from the highest point of the city. The best thing? It’s free and you can go at your own pace. You can go any day of the week and maybe do a couple of laps around Beaver Lake before stopping by the viewpoint and heading down slowly.

How can you get there?

By foot! There are 7 entrances to get to the park, so pick your favorite one here.

 

Quebec City’s sights

Ready to see the best of Fall in Quebec? Book your bus and train tickets with us for a fun Fall day.