Since 1991, les Collines-de-l’Outaouais groups together seven rural municipalities : Cantley, Chelsea, L’Ange-Gardien, La Pêche, Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette, Pontiac and Val-des-Monts. The steady increase of the population represents now more than 40 000 residents.

The territory of Les Collines-de-l’Outaouais is part of the National Capital Region and is bordered by the City of Gatineau at the South, by the MRC Vallée-de-la-Gatineau at the North, Pontiac at the Northeast and Papineau at the East. The territory covers 2078 km2 of which 18 % consists of the Gatineau Park. It comprises three important waterways which are the Outaouais River, the Gatineau River and the Lièvre River. Numerous lakes, valleys and hills complete the scenery in the Collines-de-l’Outaouais making it the perfect destination for outdoor acitvities, cottage country and tourism.

Already known as the « Gatineau Hills », les Collines-de-l’Outaouais has always been the playground of the National Capital Region residents. More and more visitors from outside the region keep coming to practice their favourite outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, golfing, cottage vacation, canoeing, fishing, snow-shoeing, downhill and x-country skiing, etc.

The coming of the Gatineau Park in the late 1950’s has furthered the development of trail networks, camp sites, and also fauna, flora and heritage interpretation and information services. This park is considered as a tourist icon in the region. In 2001, more than 1.5 million visitors went through the Gatineau Park. 5 % of them originate from outside the region. The vast majority of the visitors are residents and travellers from the National Capital Region.

For more than 10 years, the Hull-Chelsea-Wakefield (HCW) Steam Train has become an important tourist icon in the Outaouais. Each year, it allows over 50 000 visitors to discover the Collines-de-l’Outaouais while running alongside the Gatineau River, from Hull to the picturesque village of Wakefield. The spin-off benefits from this unique attraction are estimated at 11 million dollars for the Outaouais Region.

Besides the HCW Steam Train, the Laflèche Adventure is considered an important support product for the tourism offer in the Collines-de-l’Outaouais. With its 28 000 annual visitors, the benefits for the territory are considerable. Besides the guided tours of  the caves, the site now offers an aerial park with suspended adventure trails in the forest canopy. A second aerial park as opened in Chelsea in 2006 with Fortune Aerial Park.

Many outdoor recreation businesses have grown in the Collines-de-l’Outaouais. It numbers now four ski centres, seven golf courses, a dozen campgrounds, many equestrian centres, excursions in canoes, bikes trails and dog-sleigh rides, piscicultures, waterslides, extreme sports, and two racetracks.

The lodging facilities numbers 150 rooms distributed between 17 Bed & Breakfasts, 5 inns, 4 motels, 2 hotels and cottages. The Wakefield Mill Inn distinguishes itself by its character, its quality and originality. This 19th century mill has been totally restored and now offers 28 luxurious rooms, a spa center, a restaurant, a bar and conference facilities.

The start-up in 2005 of the Le Nordik Scandinavian Spa in Chelsea contributed to the diversification of the tourism offer in the Outaouais with its saunas and scandinavan baths, des pools and outdoor cascades and massage therapy. The Wakefield Mill also provides full spa services.

Moreover, the camping offer is considerable in the Collines-de-l’Outaouais. At least 12 campgrounds comprise 2000 sites of all categories, from which 10% represent a permanent and seasonal clientele.

The restaurant sector is constituted of 45 eateries and bars with table service. The municipalities of Chelsea (12 restaurants) and La Pêche (18 restaurants) are winners in term of quantity and quality of restaurants.

You will also find a thriving community of artists and artisans. Three artists groups organises cultural activities such as studio tours and outdoor exhibits. Some artists groups extend beyond the Collines-de-l’Outaouais territory. Seven art galleries allows artists to expose and sell their works.

More than 70 agribusinesses propose guided tours, sampling, exotic farming, country meals, rural products, organic farming and traditional teachings. It is a sector which represent a considerable development potential regarding the development of tours. There is two regional farm products market which offers organic products and artisans works from June until October every weekends in the picturesques villages of Old Chelsea and Wakefield.

In short, this portrays what a visitor can expect during an enjoyable stay in the Collines-de-l’Outaouais.

 

Live it ! One day at a time !