The Massawippi Foundation and the Massawippi Conservation Trust invite all members of the public to enjoy the Massawippi Trails. Two separate locations offer unique opportunities to explore nature while having a good time in the open air. Trails are free and open daily from dawn until dusk all year round (except for a short closure during the Spring thaw).
Trails
Who can use the TRAILS?
- Any member of the public can use the trails.
- Trails vary in length and difficulty. Most are suitable for families with young children. Others offer greater challenges.
- Trails can be used all year round, for walking and snowshoeing, except for a few weeks during the spring thaw.
What are the trails like?
- The trails are professionally designed and built to be sustainable with minimal impact on the land.
- Trails avoid ecologically sensitive areas so that rare or endangered species are not trampled. Sign boards with maps, trail name signs and color coded trail markers ensure that.
- Directional markers ensure that no one will get lost.
- Parking is available at each trailhead location.
- Dogs are welcome, on leash. They must be kept on leash at all times.
- Enjoying the trails is free. However, these trails are not government managed or supported, we rely solely on the generosity of our community and visitors. Donations to support the maintenance and construction of trails would be greatly appreciated.
Environmentally sensitive trails fulfill the four tenets of conservation:
- Preservation: they protect the land by ensuring that people are able to use it without damaging environmentally-sensitive areas.
- Education: they are “living labs” for the education of our youth.
- Research: they provide access to biologically diverse areas.
- Recreation: they provide a venue for healthy recreation.
The story of trail building.
Download the full
colour brochure with maps.
Scowen Park Trail
The Massawippi Trail at Scowen Park was officially opened on Thanksgiving weekend, 2016. Scowen Park is on 34 acres located on Capelton Road (rte. 108) in North Hatley. The trail provides hikers with almost two kilometres of trails suitable for families looking for a pleasant meandering hike in a lovely forest. The trailhead is within walking distance from the center of North Hatley.
A parking area is also available at the entrance.
This park is owned, protected and maintained by the Massawippi Conservation Trust.
The Trail has been funded by donors to the Massawippi Foundation.
Use of the trails on this conserved property is a privilege.
- Please do not disturb the nature around you; stay on the trails!
- Dogs are welcome on leash only.
- Please pick up after your dog.
- Take nothing out of the park and leave nothing behind.
- Motorized vehicles, bicycles, fire and camping are strictly prohibited
Massawippi Trail
The Massawippi Trail in Sainte-Catherine-de-Hatley consists of 14 kilometres of trails, providing access to a beach on Lake Massawippi via a long wooden staircase. The parking and entrance to the trail is at the end of the cul – de- sac on Côte du Piémont, off chemin Gingras, 2 km east of Ste. Catherine de Hatley.
The first section of this trail is a 3-kilometre loop named George’s Loop in honour of the donor of the property which is suitable for families. A new, more challenging circuit has been added named Pic de Wippi. In 2022 the trail was lengthened to include Ethan’s Beach. This extension of the trail will provides access to lake Massawippi and to a beach owned and protected by the Massawippi Conservation Trust, via a long wooden staircase.
In 2024 an additional 5 kilometer loop has opened at the southern end of the conserved property. This creates a uniquely more challenging 12 km round-trip hike as it is only accessible from the top parking lot. There is no southern exit.
There is a parking area at the entrance and a chemical toilet.
There is access to the lake via Ethan’s Beach. Another compost toilet is located at this point.
This park is owned, protected and maintained by the Massawippi Conservation Trust.
The Trail has been funded by donors to the Massawippi Foundation.
Use of the trails on this conserved property is a privilege.
- Please do not disturb the nature around you; stay on the trails!
- Dogs are welcome on leash only.
- Please pick up after your dog.
- Take nothing out of the park and leave nothing behind.
- Motorized vehicles, bicycles, fire and camping are strictly prohibited
Tomifobia Nature Trail, Ayer's Cliff to Stanstead
Coming Soon
The Tomifobia Trail is a multifunctional 19 km long rail-trail located in the Tomifobia River valley between Rte 141 in Ayer’s Cliff and Rte 247 in Beebe/Stanstead. It is renowned for its scenic natural beauty and is very popular with cyclists, walkers and cross-country skiers. There are several picnic areas, parking areas, small shelters and monument sites along the trail and it is open year-round.
This trail is over 30 years old and was created by a group of passionate local citizens who saw an opportunity to create a green linear park along the historic abandoned railway bed that mostly follows the Tomifobia river. The not-for-profit volunteer group, known as Sentier Massawippi Inc. has maintained this multipurpose trail since 1993. Their members and Board have voted unanimously to wind down their organization and donate the trail, and its 165 acres of sensitive, biodiverse land to the Massawippi Conservation Trust. We are profoundly grateful for all they have done and their confidence in our stewardship of the property and trail in perpetuity. We are proud to carry on the mission of maintaining a free, publicly accessible trail for people who want to walk, observe nature and birds, ride a bike and cross-country ski in the winter.
Sentier Massawippi Inc., Massawippi Foundation & Massawippi Conservation Trust are working together to complete due diligence and finalize the deed of donation for a transition early in 2025. We look forward to the continued support of the generous volunteers and members of the Tomifobia trail who have made the trail such a success.
