Discover Hudson’s Nature Trails

If you’re searching for a peaceful outdoor escape just west of Montréal, Hudson’s beautiful nature trails offer beauty in every season.

Here, forested corridors, rivers and wetlands, lakeside parks, and well-maintained trails weave together to create an outdoor experience that feels both intimate and expansive. The town’s longstanding commitment to green space and connected nature corridors makes it a perfect destination for hiking, dog-walking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

In winter, Hudson maintains over 23.6 km of trails for hiking, snowshoeing, and skiing. Dogs on leash are welcome everywhere, so feel free to bring your four-legged companion along for the adventure.

The following Hudson nature trails are well-marked and provide an excellent opportunity to explore the natural beauty of the area.

1. The Clarke Sydenham Nature Conservancy Trail (3km)

Adjacent to le Nichoir Wild Bird Conservation Centre, the Whitlock and Falcon golf courses, the Clarke Sydenham Nature Reserve trail network offers some of the best wildlife viewing in the region. It’s especially appealing to bird-watchers—Le Nichoir is the largest dedicated songbird rehabilitation centre in Canada, and many successfully rehabilitated birds are released right here into the reserve’s protected habitats.

The reserve features a mosaic of old forests, temporary ponds, wetlands, and open fields. This diversity supports a remarkable range of species, including southern flying squirrels, multiple bat species, and chimney swifts. In winter, the town grooms cross-country ski tracks through parts of the network, with a packed path available for snowshoeing or winter hiking. The groomed ski trail system extends the winter network to more than 20 km.

Trailheads

  • Le Nichoir (637 Main Road) — don’t miss their Boutique du Nichoir, which offers bird feeders, bird-safe window products, books, games, and nature-themed gifts. Proceeds support bird care and environmental education.
  • Whitlock Golf & Country Club (Côte St-Charles)
  • Rue Brisbane

2. Sandy Beach Trail

Accessible via Jack Layton Park or the Hudson Community Centre, the Sandy Beach trail leads you through a mix of wooded paths, wetlands, creeks, and river views. Wooden bridges, side trails, and scenic outlooks make this one of Hudson’s most varied and beloved natural areas.

More than a picturesque waterfront, this landscape is a rare and ecologically significant refuge. Together with adjacent Jack Layton Park, the area encompasses 57 acres of sandy cove, estuary, beaver pond, forest, and wetland habitat connected by trails and boardwalks.

A 2024 biodiversity study documented 343 species, including 29 at-risk species, within the Sandy Beach ecosystem. The woodlands and wetlands form a crucial natural corridor linking the Ottawa River to the broader Viviry River watershed. From frogs, foxes, and beavers to egrets, eagles and monarch butterflies, this area supports a rich web of life uncommon in developed regions.

3. The Dwyer Trail (1.8 km)

A quieter option, the Dwyer Trail winds through mixed woodland and gentle slopes, offering a slightly more rugged experience. Access points include:

  • Côte St-Charles, between Forestview and Windcrest
  • Windcrest, between St-Charles and Carmel
  • Rue Wellesley, between Cameron and Evergreen

This is an excellent choice if you prefer a less-trafficked trail with a more “off-the-beaten-path” feel.

5. Taylor Bradbury Trail (1.5 km)

A short and friendly route ideal for a quick nature break. The trail can be accessed from:

  • Rue Cameron, across from Pine Lake
  • Behind Mount Pleasant Elementary School
  • Woodcroft
  • Olympic, just after Thorncrest

It’s an easy, family-friendly walk that connects well to neighbouring green spaces.

6. Davidson Trail (1km)

Accessible via Como Gardens near Rue Mountain View, the Davidson Trail is a peaceful, lesser-known option perfect for those seeking quiet and solitude. It’s short, gentle, and wonderfully calming — a great spot for a mid-day reset or a relaxed dog walk.

6. The Gary Cirko Trail (2.5 km)

Set within the Alstonvale neighbourhood, the Gary Cirko Trail is a scenic loop through mature forest and neighbourhood greenspace. It’s accessible from Rue Vipond, Rue Mayfair, and Rue Cambridge in Hudson Acres, beside Alstonvale Park.

With flat terrain and wide paths, it’s ideal for casual strolls, family walks, or a quick outing with your dog. Its easy access from multiple streets makes it one of Hudson’s most convenient trails.

Plan Your Visit

Whether you’re exploring the forest canopy on a crisp fall day, skiing along freshly groomed tracks, or wandering beside wetlands alive with spring birdsong, Hudson’s trail network offers something in every season.

A few quick tips:

  • Dogs on leash are welcome on all trails
  • Snowshoeing and cross-country skiing are popular throughout the winter
  • Le Nichoir’s gift shop is always worth a stop, especially if you enjoy bird-friendly products or unique nature-themed gifts

Hudson’s trails are one of the region’s greatest treasures — a place where locals and visitors alike can connect with nature, breathe deeply, and enjoy the beauty of this remarkable corner of Québec.

    Pictured: A section of the winter walking trails in the Clarke-Sydenham Nature Reserve adjacent to le Nichoir wild bird rehabilitation centre in Hudson.

    In case you're wondering ...

    Most stores and restaurants have their own parking lots, but there are also several public parking areas: 

    • The snow dump off Wharf Road
    • City Hall (Main & Cedar)
    • Selkirk &. Main
    • Across from St. Thomas Church on Main Road, near McNaughten 

    Street parking is also permitted in many areas adjacent to the village. 

    Hudson is served by the Exo train to Montreal (limited service) and a bus. 

    There is one daily train departure and one arrival in Hudson every weekday at:
    30, rue Wharf, Hudson

    Departures for other Vaudreuil-Dorion trains at:
    555, rue Boileau, Vaudreuil-Dorion

    EXO La Presqu’île sector

    exo – Line 21: Gare Vaudreuil/Hudson/St-Charles

    • Public transit to Vaudreuil train station
    • OPUS card accepted
    • Air-conditioned buses, some equipped with bike racks
    • Transfers between several bus lines at the station and connections to Vaudreuil, L’Île-Perrot, Pincourt, Rigaud and Saint-Lazare.
    • Passengers can also transfer to CIT du Sud-Ouest buses (Salaberry-de-Valleyfield) at the Vaudreuil station
    • Express service to various destinations on the Island of Montréal: Côte-Vertu metro, Sainte-Anne-de-Bellevue (including CEGEP John-Abbott), CEGEP Gérald-Godin and near the STM bus terminal in Pointe-Claire

    Yes, you can book a hotel room right in the heart of Hudson at the Maison Rose B&B at 471 Main Road. 

    Yes, most restaurants in Hudson offer some vegan, vegetarian or gluten-free options. 

    Yes, Hudson businesses are happy to serve customers in either French or English.

    Keep on exploring

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