Preserving Mount Royal views should not be an afterthought as Montreal prepares to redevelop a huge area near downtown that serves as an entrance to the city.
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It’s tempting to wander off the path to get a better view from a ledge or steep secondary paths. But beware: hikers have been known to slip and fall down the precipitous slope that runs along the Escarpment Path, an often-overlooked 700-metre trail on Mount Royal that offers one of the best cityscape views.
You can drive up and park near the nature reserve and bird sanctuary on Mount Royal’s western peak, but part of this trek’s appeal is getting close to the stately Westmount mansions that line the public stairs above The Boulevard.
For Frederick Law Olmsted, getting there was half the fun. That’s clear from his writings and from the gently sloping, meandering 6.6-kilometre pedestrian and bike road on Mount Royal that bears the landscape architect’s name.
This video and these photos give you a feel for Mount Royal’s Escarpment Path.