Thing to do
Old Port of Montreal
More than two kilometres of quays along the St Lawrence below Old Montreal, with the Clock Tower, the Science Centre, an urban beach and winter skating.
Lachine Canal National Historic Site
Parks Canada's historic canal from the Old Port to Lake Saint-Louis, with a 13.5-kilometre walking and cycling trail, five locks and industrial heritage along its banks.
At a glance
- Type
- Historic canal and cycle path
- Area
- Southwest Montreal, Montreal, Canada
- Official site
- parks.canada.ca
Good to know
- 13.5 km trail
- Five locks
- Picnic areas
- Equipment rental
- Boating
Why we recommend it
The Lachine Canal was dug to let boats bypass the Lachine Rapids on the St Lawrence. Construction began in July 1821 and the canal opened in 1825. Enlargements in the 1840s and between 1873 and 1885 brought hydraulic and later steam power to its banks, which became one of Canada's largest industrial areas, at its peak between 1880 and 1940. The opening of the St Lawrence Seaway in 1959 made it obsolete, and it closed to commercial shipping in 1970.
Parks Canada reopened the canal to pleasure craft in 2002, and today it is a National Historic Site and one of the most popular outdoor spaces in the city. The trail along it covers 13.5 kilometres between the Old Port and Lake Saint-Louis, and walkers, runners and cyclists share it from spring to autumn. Industrial remains line the route, and the five locks that remain, out of an original seven, show how the canal worked.
Boaters can pass through the locks, and the lockage and navigation pages on the Parks Canada site set out routes, rates and hours. In summer 2026, lockage and non-motorised navigation were free from 19 June to 7 September. Along the banks there are picnic spots, events and winter sports, equipment rental and food service, and a public art installation near the Peel Basin.
The easiest way to experience the canal is by bike. Start at the Old Port, where Lock No. 1 sits, and ride west past Peel Basin to Atwater Market, about the right distance for a short outing with a picnic stop. Keen cyclists can carry on to Lachine and the lakeshore for a full day out.
It suits active travellers, families with older children and anyone interested in the city's industrial past. There is no single entrance, so join the path wherever is convenient; the Old Port end is closest to downtown hotels. Allow two hours for an easy ride to Atwater Market and back, and a full day if you plan to reach Lake Saint-Louis. In 2009 Time magazine placed the canal path third on its list of the best urban bike paths. For questions, Parks Canada's canal office can be reached on 514-283-6054 or at [email protected], and Lock No. 1 in the Old Port has its own number, 514-496-1536.
Lachine Canal National Historic Site FAQs
How long is the trail?
The trail along the canal is 13.5 kilometres, from the Old Port to Lake Saint-Louis.
When did the canal open?
In 1825, after construction began in 1821.
Can boats still use it?
Yes. It reopened to pleasure craft in 2002 and boats pass through five locks.
Who runs it?
Parks Canada, as a National Historic Site.
Was navigation free in 2026?
Lockage and non-motorised navigation were free from 19 June to 7 September 2026.
Can you rent equipment?
Yes. Equipment rental and food service are available along the canal.
Where is a good place to stop?
Atwater Market sits beside the canal and has a summer terrace with picnic tables.
How do you contact Parks Canada?
Call 514-283-6054 or email [email protected].