Gatineau Park Nocturnal Snowshoeing: Cabin Dinner & Starlight

Three hours under the stars, ending at a cabin with dinner cooked for you

A guided nocturnal snowshoeing adventure in Gatineau Park covers roughly 6 km round-trip on trail #70 to the Healey Shelter, where your guide prepares a full dinner (cheese and charcuterie board, bread, hot chocolate and cookies) by the wood stove. The round-trip takes about 3 hours total, including 1.5 hours to rest and eat at the shelter. Transportation from Ottawa or Gatineau is included, as are snowshoes or crampons, hiking poles, headlamps and park access fees. A trained guide leads the journey, which is rated easy to moderate in difficulty.

Step-by-step itinerary

Snowshoeing and dinner in Gatineau Park

• Guided snowshoe on trail #70
• Reach Healey Shelter
• Guide prepares warm dinner
• Dine at the cabin
• Return snowshoe to start

The experience

Three hours and roughly 6 km round-trip sounds short until you're moving through winter forest at night with only a headlamp cutting the dark. The route follows trail #70 in Gatineau Park, the second most visited park in Canada, and the snowshoe or crampon choice depends on what the conditions are that day. Your guide handles the route and the pacing. You handle the rhythm of your own legs. The cabin sits at the end of the trail, and that is where the experience shifts.

Once you arrive at the Healey Shelter, the guide builds a fire in the wood stove and cooks. You get a full cheese and charcuterie board with bread, hot chocolate, cookies and fruit for dessert: the kind of meal that tastes different when you've earned it on a winter trail and eaten it in a cabin instead of at a table. The 1.5 hours at the shelter is built into the 3-hour total, so you are not rushed through it. The return follows the same trail back to the pickup point.

Transportation from Ottawa or Gatineau to the park is included, along with all the gear: snowshoes or crampons depending on conditions, hiking poles and headlamps. The guide is trained and experienced, and speaks English or French. Free snacks are available in the minibus on the way back. Park access fees are covered. You bring winter clothing that works for moving and for sitting still, and the willingness to move at an easy to moderate pace.

What’s included

• Transportation from Ottawa or Gatineau to Gatineau Park and back.
• snowshoes or crampons depending on trail conditions.
• hiking poles and headlamps.
• a trained guide for the full 3 hours.
• park access fees.
• a full cheese and charcuterie board with bread, hot chocolate, cookies and fruit for dessert prepared by your guide at the cabin.
• free snacks in the minibus on the return.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 26 Dec

Book up to6h before

AgesAdult (4 to 90 years) · Under 4: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 14 · max 4 per booking

Live guideEnglish and French

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 7 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 4 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Aventure Outaouais

Is this one for you?The minibus pickup from Ottawa or Gatineau means you don't need a car to reach the park, and the fixed departure time works for anyone staying in either city without their own transport.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and French.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

How far do I actually walk on this snowshoeing trip?

The round-trip is roughly 6 km on trail #70 in Gatineau Park, rated easy to moderate in difficulty. The pace is guided, and the 3-hour total includes 1.5 hours resting and eating at the cabin, so the actual walking time is split across the journey out and back.

What exactly do I eat at the cabin?

Your guide prepares a full cheese and charcuterie board with bread, hot chocolate, cookies and fruit for dessert. The meal is cooked by the wood stove in the Healey Shelter, and you eat it there while you warm up.

Do I need to arrange my own ride to Gatineau Park?

No. Transportation from Ottawa or Gatineau to the park is included in the booking. The minibus picks you up and brings you back, and free snacks are available on the return trip.

What equipment do I need to bring myself?

Bring winter clothing suitable for moving outdoors and for sitting in a cabin. All other gear is provided: snowshoes or crampons (chosen based on trail conditions that day), hiking poles and headlamps. Park access fees are also included.

Is this trip suitable if I'm not an experienced snowshoer?

Yes. The route is rated easy to moderate in difficulty, and a trained and experienced guide leads the whole journey and provides pro tips. The operator provides all training and equipment needed to reach the shelter and return.