Montagne Noire Loop

Dogs Unknown

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As with most Quebec runs, there are no trail maps and the instructions and directions are non-existent. Be sure to park in parking lot 1, which is further up Chem. Régimbald, Saint-Donat-de-Montcalm, QC J0T 2C0. Parking Lot 2 is closed.

The trailhead itself has an area map. Take several photos with your phone.

On the trail itself, there are periodic maps which may be useful. The run itself is moderate--not super easy, but not a killer. This area has several trails (nordic skiing, snowmobiling, hiking) which criss-cross with spaghetti-like clarity.

In any case, it is easy enough to find and stay on the running trail, given the trail maps a long the way.

The first major stop is the site for Liberator Harry, a World War II transport plane that crashed in the mountains. I won't recount that story here, since many others have told it online.

With the route I took, you can continue to Montagne Noire. This mountain has a fire tower, so it is possible to get a good view of the area. From Montagne Noire, I came back down the mountain on a different trail, creating a loop.

I had to backtrack at one point because of lack of clarity of the maps.