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Local’s Guide To Pink Lake in Gatineau Park

ByNina Clapperton Updated on

If you’re looking for more ways to enjoy Pink Lake in Gatineau Park, you’ve come to the right place!

My website is all about travel in Ottawa. And although Pink Lake is technically in Quebec, it’s only an 18-minute drive from Ottawa, so it’s an easy day trip. 

It’s a stunning park with a circular lake trail that offers panoramic views of the turquoise lake (Yep, Pink Lake isn’t actually pink). 

Pink Lake’s delicate nature attracts many hikers and nature enthusiasts looking for an easy city break, especially during spring and summer.

This post will cover everything you need to know about Pink Lake in Gatineau Park, including how to get there, things to do, where to stay, and more.

Where is Pink Lake?

Pink Lake is located in Gatineau Park in Quebec, Canada.

Although the park is officially located in Quebec, Pink Lake is located in the Gatineau region immediately north of the river dividing Ottawa from Quebec. 

Pink Lake is also known as Lac Pink in French, the language most commonly spoken in Quebec. You’ll see both signs when driving into the park. 
To find it easily on Google Maps, you can type in “Sentier Lac Pin” which will take you to Gatineau Parkway.

How to get to Pink Lake in Gatineau Park?

Although there isn’t an official Pink Lake Gatineau address, the best way to get to Pink Lake is through the Gatineau Parkway. 

The Gatineau Parkway is a beautiful highway that connects the Ottawa River to Gatineau Park, passing several beautiful lookouts, including Pink Lake.

You’ll know you’ve arrived at the right place when you see cyclists, pedestrians, and wildlife. 

Look for the signs that say “Pink Lake” or “Lac Pink.” These signs will take you to either the Pink Lake lookout or the Pink Lake trailhead parking lot. 

Pink Lake Gatineau Opening Hours

There are two seasons to remember when visiting Pink Lake – summer and winter. 

The summer season goes from May to early October, and the park closes at 7:00 PM. But be sure to check the Gatineau Parkway schedule in case of any changes in its opening hours.

Once the first snowfall arrives in Gatineau Park (usually in late October), the Pink Lake trail closes for the winter, and the Gatineau Parkway becomes a cross-country skiing path.

Things to do in Pink Lake

When you visit Pink Lake, you will find many things to do, from hiking to wildlife spotting, so let’s jump in to see what they are.

A person wearing jeans and sneakers, walking towards the forest in a fallen tree branch.
Photo by Jon Flobrant on Unsplash

1. Hike the Pink Lake Gatineau Trail Loop

The Pink Lake hike is a scenic trail that curves along the lake, with a dense forest on the other side, providing shade on hot summer days. 

The Pink Lake trail length is a 2.3-kilometer (1.4 miles) long loop, which takes around 1 hour to complete. 

There are multiple informational panels along the way where you can learn more about Pink Lake’s ecosystem, as well as the history behind its name.

There are also plenty of lookout platforms and stairs throughout the hike. If you want to know what to expect, a helpful map at the trailhead describes which parts of the trails are stairs, boardwalks, and dirt trails. 

The trail is kid-friendly and a beautiful hike to enjoy with family. 

Where to look for the trailhead

From the Pink Lake trailhead parking lot, there is a small staircase on the right-hand side. The trail on your left-hand side heading into the woods does NOT lead to Pink Lake. 

Hiking Difficulty 

The hiking difficulty at Pink Lake is considered easy-intermediate. The path is made up of stairs, ramps, and a few dirt trails. Some of the trails, however, do go over deep bluffs and climb some hills, which is why it is sometimes considered a moderate hike. 

Stairs

Be aware that quite a few stairs are on this trail, making this particular hike not universally accessible. If you have any injuries or you’re carrying a stroller, this is not the hike to go on. 

Don’t worry, though! You can still visit the beautiful lookout point, as there is a ramp from the parking lot.

Elevation Gain

The total elevation gain throughout the Pink Lake trail loop is 63 meters (209 feet).

A view of the Pink Lake Lookout from the dock. The water is clear and reflects the sturdy green trees.
Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

2. Pink Lake Lookout

If you are not up for a hike or can only make a pit stop at Pink Lake, it’s better to visit Pink Lake lookout, which is easily accessible from the Gatineau Parkway. 

From the lookout, you’ll have panoramic views of Pink Lake and get to see snippets of the park trail that venture near the shoreline.

3. Mica Mines (Old Mining Caves)

You’ll stumble into the Mica Mine around 1.5 kilometers (0.9 miles)  into the hike if you start the trail counterclockwise, near the northern side of the trail. 

The path will split in two, and you can walk across a bridge over the Mica Mine. 

The Mica mines at Pink Lake are an interesting part of the park’s history. In the 1800s, traders would come from all over Canada to search for valuable minerals.

Wild bird at Pink Lake on a branch

4. Observe the Local Wildlife in Nature

Pink Lake is a great place to bring your binoculars for serious birdwatching. 

Over 250 different types of birds call the forest their home. Avid birdwatchers are here almost any day of the week with their binoculars in hand, or cameras, carefully analyzing the landscape.

Pink Lake has other wildlife, too. You can see 

  • White-tailed deer
  • Wolves
  • Beavers 

Pink Lake also has over 50 different tree species and 2,500 varieties of plants to take notice of. 

Summer is a popular time to visit the park, but spring is quite a magical time to see the trees and plants sprout their first leaves and blooms. Autumn is another popular season to visit for the contrasting fall foliage.

Family cycling along a trail at Pink Lake in fall with yellow leaves
Photo by Hasmik Ghazaryan Olson on Unsplash

5. Bike or Mountain Bike near Pink Lake

Though it is impossible to bike on the Pink Lake Trail because of all the stairs and to protect the park’s ecology, Gatineau Parkway near Pink Lake is a popular biking spot for visitors. 

If you’re close enough to Pink Lake, ride your bike over to the park, and enjoy the scenery of Gatineau Parkway.

After riding the bike-friendly scenic paths, you can safely lock up your bike before walking the Pink Lake Trail at the trailhead in either parking lot.

Facilities available at Pink Lake 

Parking at Pink Lake

Pink Lake has two parking lots – one by the lookout point and the other by the Pink Lake Trail. 

Both parking lots are accessible via the Gatineau Parkway. 

Be aware that the Pink Lake parking lots are not always accessible. When Gatineau Parkway closes for sporting events, you cannot park by Pink Lake. 

If Gatineau Parkway is closed, you can find a spot at Gatineau Visitor Centre or Mackenzie King. But these spots require a further walk to get to Pink Lake. 

Parking is free in both Pink Lake parking lots, as is the entry into Gatineau Parkway. 

Public Washrooms 

There are two outhouses available at the Pink Lake trailhead. Sometimes there is toilet paper, but it’s not always a guarantee, so make sure to bring some with you, as well as hand sanitizer.

Handicap Accessibility 

Though the trail is not handicap-friendly, certain parts of Pink Lake are accessible. 

A ramp on the left-hand side of the lookout parking lot leads to the beautiful lookout platform. 

You can also find a few handicapped parking spots, one in each parking lot.

View of Pink Lake in summer with the blue lake reflecting the green islands

Pink Lake is a Meromictic Lake

Gatineau Pink Lake is considered the only meromictic lake in Quebec, which gives the lake its deep blue/green color. 

The water at the historic Pink Lake is actually not pink. In fact, that name comes from the Pink family, who emigrated to Canada and built their home near the lake around 1900. Since this plot of land and lake belonged to them, the park was named after them.

The water is such a beautiful tone of turquoise because it is a meromictic lake. These types of lakes lack oxygen at the bottom, and when they mix with the algae on the water’s surface, it turns the lake blue. 

While hiking, look into the water to see dozens of fish swimming near the top of the lake. One of the most notable in the area are the Three- spined Sticklebacks.

Planning your trip to Pink Lake

The summer is great at Pink Lake, but the most beautiful time to visit the Pink Lake Trail in Gatineau Park is spring or early fall (April/October) when the park is in full bloom or colorful fall foliage mode. 

The area of Gatineau Parkway officially closes for the season on the second to last weekend of October or the first snowfall.

More important things to know before visiting Pink Lake

Due to the lake’s sensitive ecosystem, the following are not allowed at Pink Lake: 

  • Dogs 
  • Boats
  • Watersports 
  • Swimming

There are also no picnic tables, but other parks nearby in Gatineau Parkway do have them if you plan to pack lunch into the park. 

If you want to eat at the park, please be mindful of cleaning up after yourself, and don’t leave any trash behind.

Helpful Hiking Accessories

Plan a great hike through Pink Lake Trail with these useful accessories!

Where to stay near Pink Lake

Auberge Old Chelsea – This is a cozy cabin just 5 minutes from Pink Lake. Enjoy a terrace view from your room and luggage storage. 

ByWard Blue Inn – This is another hotel that is only a 16-minute drive from Pink Lake and a 10-minute walk from the historic Rideau Canal. The hotel also offers daily breakfast and even afternoon tea. 

Four Points by Sheraton Hotel – This hotel offers breakfast every morning, perfect to have before your adventures in Pink Lake, only 16 minutes away. Enjoy the in-house restaurant and closeness to the Ottawa Parliament Hill. 

Hilton Lac-Leamy –  A spa and hotel where you can have dinner from one of the six in-house restaurants and get a great night’s sleep. Relax in the jacuzzi or near the fire pit after your day at Pink Lake.

Ramada Plaza Hotel – If you’re up for it, you can book a few nights at this luxury hotel. There is a jacuzzi, a firepit, and an in-house spa with massages and beauty service.

FAQs About Gatineau Pink Lake

Can you swim in pink lake Gatineau?

No, you can’t swim in Pink Lake. It is prohibited because the lake is a protected ecosystem. Pink Lake is a Meromictic Lake with a specific type of ecology that is sensitive to all water activities, including boating, canoeing, kayaking, and swimming.

What is Special about Pink Lake?

The lake at Pink Lake Park draws in locals because of its beautiful turquoise color, which comes from being a Meromictic Lake. The trail is short and doesn’t require a lot of hiking expertise to enjoy. It is a short 1-hour walk that offers incredible views of the lake, local wildlife, and historical caves, not too far from Ottawa.

A Local’s Guide to Pink Lake in Gatineau Park Wrap Up

Whether you’re looking for a nice trek around a beautiful lake or simply enthusiastic about the wildlife sightings, Pink Lake is truly a gem. As one of the few meromictic lakes, it definitely will be a memorable trip for you and your friends/family.  

At only a less than 20-minute drive from Ottawa, Pink Lake is the perfect nature escape, regardless of your hiking level or if you have a fully booked travel itinerary.

If you’re planning a trip to Ottawa soon, make sure to include Pink Lake in Gatineau Park!

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Nina Clapperton is the founder of Ottawa Things to Do. Nina has lived in 18 countries before deciding to settle in Ottawa, nearby Toronto where she grew up. She has spent years proving that Ottawa isn't the town "fun forgot" and helping locals and tourists alike find fun things to do. She helps over 60,000 people a month discover the amazing activities in Ottawa, Canada.