Pink Lake in Gatineau Park, located less than a half hour drive from downtown Ottawa, is not what you think it might be. One can walk 2.5 km around Pink Lake in Gatineau Park on a well-maintained trail but fair warning – it is not wheelchair friendly. Pink Lake – it actually isn’t a pink lake but it is named after the Pink Family who settled here in the early 1800’s. 3259 Carling Ave. “A nice, scenic park along the Ottawa River, this … Park management forbids swimming in the lake, walking domestic animals near it, straying from the wooden boardwalk for sight-seers, and throwing stones into the lake. Pink Lake is a meromictic lake found in the park. That sea called the Champlain Sea deposited sediments called the Leda clay in respect of the small marine clams it contains. It, personally, has one of my favourite beaches in Gatineau Park and you can easily road trip to this long, winding lake in less than an hour by car. So what you might say. A couple of outlooks have seats and you may want to linger awhile. Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest board. The surface of the waters are a deep green during the month of August and September due to the abundance of algae in the water. Crazy eh! Pink Lake is Gatineau Park’s most outstanding lake, because of its unusual makeup. Once the glaciers melted and meltwater ran off, the earth’s crust started rising in a process known as (you’ll impress your friends with these words) isostatic rebound. Pink Lake Review of Gatineau Park Reviewed August 10, 2019 via mobile Gatineau Park is a vast (139 square miles) recreational space to the north and west of Gatineau City Centre. It has a three-season trail and a lookout. Its rare beauty makes it one of the most popular sites in the Park. Drive to the Pink Lake parking lot in Gatineau Park. This post includes some affiliate links. Pink Lake Trail and the trail parking lot are temporarily closed until further notice, due to the thunderstorms on Friday. Distance: 4.4 km | Time: 1 hour | Difficulty: Easy | Parking Lot 11. Pink Lake in Gatineau Park, located less than a half hour drive from downtown Ottawa, is not what you think it might be. Gatineau Park provides habitat to many mammals typical of Canada’s wilderness, such as river otter, snowshoe hare, red fox, moose, coyote, wolf, beaver, raccoon, white-tailed deer and black bear. These bacteria form a layer about 7 metres from the bottom to avoid the oxygenated water and maximize sunlight exposure. And you can see lots of 3 spined stickleback fish milling about near shore. My target was Pink Lake, about 8km inside the park boundary and that made for a 30km round trip. Pink Lake is a popular photo spot in Gatineau Park and features a number of picture ready lookouts along its shores. The Pink part relates to the name of the family that settled nearby and “loaned” their name to the lake. The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching. Pink Lake Review of Gatineau Park Reviewed August 10, 2019 via mobile Gatineau Park is a vast (139 square miles) recreational space to the north and west of Gatineau City Centre. Pink Lake is a typical shield lake. Personally, we love going up and down stairs as that is awesome conditioning for our adventures…. I first…, Your email address will not be published. In fact, there is algae in this oxygen poor zone that photosynthesizes with sulfur not CO2. Pink Lake is a beautiful trail in the Gatineau Park, in Canada, with a fascinating history and unique ecosystem. Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures, Exploring the Magdalen Islands in Quebec by Bike, Quebec Road Trip: Quebec City to Havre-Saint-Pierre, A Trip to Mingan Archipelago National Park in Quebec. The park includes many other lakes. Pink Lake is named after a family of Irish settlers who in 1826 cleared a farm in the area. ★ Pink Lake (Canada) Pink lake is a meromictic lake located in Gatineau Park, Quebec, Canada. A few weeks ago I cycled up into Gatineau Park, just outside of Ottawa in Quebec. Dick Bell Park 5 Parks, Boating. Lac Pink and a sweaty Englishman. Because so little new water flows into the lake and the high rims protect it from the wind there is very little mixing of water in the lake, in fact so little that the lake is one of the few meromictic lakes in the world. This is a short loop trail that wraps around Pink Lake in Gatineau Park. Learn how your comment data is processed. The lake is in danger of eutrophication due to anthropogenic activities. The largest, furthermost lake from downtown Ottawa in Gatineau Park, but it's certainly worth the mission. Well, this means the original saltwater trapped in the lake took a very long time to be diluted with fresh water…. OK enough science let’s talk about the Pinks. Pink Lake Lookout Gatineau, Quebec Short and sweet hiking trail Pink Lake Trail Gatineau, Quebec One of the lookouts over Pink Lake, in Gatineau Park near Ottawa, Canada. Fall colors at their best around Pink Lake, Gatineau Park in Quebec. The Pink part relates to the name of the family that settled nearby and “loaned” their name to the lake. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. The holes should be all fenced in. These kind of lakes are very rare and it is the only one of its kind among Gatineau Park's 63 lakes. Required fields are marked *. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. however it must be reported that not all patrons were equally excited. There are pretty steady views of the lake at water level and from some higher outlooks. Her blog: HikeBikeTravel is frequently cited as one of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada. Lots of “normal” algae grows in the upper water and so Pink Lake is actually more greenish than not. One thing of note in the summer – or perhaps we just lucked into accidentally going at the wrong time – is that the road will be full of cyclists, most of whom seemed to have little interest in sharing the road. The Goat Lake Hike in Waterton Lakes National Park, Where to Go Snowshoeing in Banff National Park, Tonquin Valley Hiking Guide – What You Need to Know. This pothole which was  filled with seawater rose above sea level and has now become a lake. It’s one of the most scenic trails, with stunning views of the lake at every turn. The full ring around the lake will take between a 45 minutes to an hour depending on your pace. It all started about 9,000 years ago when the continental ice sheet which was over 1.6 km thick had retreated from the Ottawa-Gatineau area. It used to be a salt water lake as a part of the oceans. The largest green space in the region, the Park occupies an area of more than 361 square kilometres, and … WARNING: do not enter through the fenced holes. Here are a couple of suggestions, mostly based on personal experience. Gatineau Park: Pink Lake - See 1,036 traveler reviews, 608 candid photos, and great deals for Gatineau, Canada, at Tripadvisor. so long in fact that a fish trapped in the seawater in the rising lake called a 3 spined stickleback has evolved from a saltwater fish into a freshwater fish. As mentioned in the Mer Bleu blog, they have also found beluga whale bones and notably humpback whale bones near Smith Falls in the Leda clay as well. Located in the breathtaking Gatineau Park and surrounded by mountains and trees, this lake will exceed your expectations. Gatineau Park: Gatineau Park : Pink Lake - See 1,036 traveler reviews, 608 candid photos, and great deals for Gatineau, Canada, at Tripadvisor. That much weight actually sinks the earth’s crust about 175 metres. Leigh McAdam is a Calgary based writer, author, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. Sian Reynolds", Pink Lake, an Important Paleoclimatic Record, Pink Lake in Gatineau Park's photo gallery, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Pink_Lake_(Canada)&oldid=989507462, Articles using infobox body of water without alt, Articles using infobox body of water without pushpin map alt, Articles using infobox body of water without alt bathymetry, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 19 November 2020, at 11:16. If you make a purchase via one of these links, I will receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Gatineau Park has so much to offer just minutes from downtown Ottawa. In Ottawa I have enjoyed a stay at the Andaz Hotel perfectly located in the Byward Market area. Pink Lake is a meromictic lake located in Gatineau Park, Quebec, Canada. Leigh McAdam is an award-winning, Calgary-based writer, photographer and social media enthusiast with over 61,000 followers. It took over 3000 years for the lake to turn from salt water to fresh water (generally a lake of this size shouldn't take over a few decades) and as a result some of the salt water fishes adapted to fresh water. It is a rare meromictic lake, … Then hike on the Pink Lake hiking trail (LEFT SIDE TRAIL IS QUICKER). The trail goes up and down a lot but none of the climbs will pose any problems for anyone able to walk. Gatineau Park is a 363 square km natural area, just a 15 minutes drive from Parliament Hill Ottawa. The surface of the waters are a deep green during the month of August and September due to the abundance of algae in the water. It may be called Pink Lake but its water is the most beautiful shade of turquoise you have ever seen. Pink Lake plays a symbolic role in the novel Wash This Blood Clean From My Hand by Fred Vargas. If you want another interesting hike check out the nearby Carbide Willson Ruins. Gatineau Park is the National Capital Region’s conservation park. The trail is well maintained and easy to follow. Morrison's Quarry and Pink Lake is at least a 30-40 minute drive from Ottawa. The parking lot for Pink Lake lookout remains open. At that time Pink Lake wasn’t a lake at all but rather a big pothole in the sea floor. All in all it’s a very pleasant short hike, likely to be shared with a lot of young families like we did on a weekend. This hike primary trail can be used both directions and has a moderate overall physical rating. So serene. It’s the one leading up to Pink Lake, and it is fairly long and definitely one of the steeper hills on the Gatineau Parkway (a climb of 220 ft or 67 m). The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, and nature trips and is best used from April until October. At the top of this hill is an outdoor interpretative centre about the ecology of Pink Lake. And in Old Chelsea, Auberge Old Chelsea would be a great choice, especially if you have plans to visit the Nordik Spa. Thanks for reading! A family-friendly outing in Gatineau Park. Due to the meromictic properties of Pink Lake there are ancient forms of bacteria which use sulfur instead of oxygen to perform photosynthesis. Pink Lake is a meromictic lake located in Gatineau Park, Quebec, Canada. It’s nice having wilderness this close to the city, even if I don’t use it enough! [1], For lakes containing carotenoid-producing algae, see, "Wash This Blood Clean From My Hand by Fred Vargas, trans. First off, the only thing pink about it are the colourful visitors ambling around the lake on the Pink Lake Trail. From the lookouts, you can explore connecting hiking trails, such as the path that surrounds Pink Lake, another popular lookout spot in the park. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. The Pink Lake Trail is in Gatineau Park. Tiny algae in the lake give it a bright green colour. Pink Lake Pink Lake is a meromictic lake located in Gatineau Park, Quebec, Canada.The surface of the waters are a deep green during the month of August and September due to … Your email address will not be published. Skiing and snowshoeing in winter. This includes: skiing (cross-country and downhill), hiking, canoeing, camping, rock-climbing, mountain biking, roller-blading, wildlife watching and leisurely strolls. There is a hiking trail surrounding the lake. Given Ottawa is only about 35 metres above sea level that means – you guessed it – that Ottawa and what is now Pink Lake in Gatineau Park were under the sea. Pink Lake, Promenade de la Gatineau, Le Plateau, Hull, Chelsea, Les Collines-de-l'Outaouais, Outaouais, Quebec, J9J 1G8, Canada (45.46846-75.80801). Thank you very much. Park management forbids swimming in the lake, walking domestic animals near it, straying from the wooden boardwalk for sight-seers, and throwing stones into the lake. I’ve lived in the National Capital Region for most of my life, so I get to hike beautiful trails like this one whenever I want to. The Carbide Wilson Ruins is technically more of a… Submit one here. Author of Discover Canada: 100 Inspiring Outdoor Adventures Co-author of 125 Nature Hot Spots in Alberta, The Magdalen Islands or their French name - Îles de la Madeleine are an archipelago…, If you're looking for a Quebec road trip that's a little different, why not drive…, For years the Mingan Archipelago National Park has been on my bucket list. The lake is in danger of eutrophication due to human activities. It's nice having wilderness this close to the city, even if I don't use it enough! Gatineau Park is the outdoor playground for Canada's National Capital Region (Ottawa and Gatineau).It offers amazing possibilities for outdoor recreation, within a 20 minutes drive of either city. My target was Pink Lake, about 8km inside the park boundary and that made for a 30km round trip. These commissions help reduce the ever-increasing costs of keeping this site active. Walk until you see big openings in the ground (Approx 1KM IN). Yet, only one lake in a thousand is meromictic. The lake's name comes from the Pink family who originally owned property in the area. Despite having the name “Pink,” the lake is actually green. First off, the only thing pink about it are the colourful visitors ambling around the lake on the Pink Lake Trail. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The bottom seven metres of this 20 metre deep lake have virtually no oxygen. Birders keep your eyes and ears open. Well we didn’t really learn much about them so let’s talk about the experience. That secret I was talking about; everybody that walks around Pink Lake and reads the great information panels will know the secret too! Take some time to read the educational signs that explain what type of lake it is and why it is so important that we help preserve it. This small (one km long) rising lake is special because it has a high rim not much bigger than the lake itself so its catchment area is small and no rivers or creeks flow into it. A well maintained trail makes its way along the shores of the lake and a number of lookouts and other photo opportunities await. It's hard work getting… In my opinion they are two of the best places you could visit in Gatineau. A few weeks ago I cycled up into Gatineau Park, just outside of Ottawa in Quebec. What is really cool about Pink Lake is that it actually contains two lakes in one. Lots of hiking trails, Mackenzie King Estate, the scenic drive, picnic areas, etc. The lake is in danger of eutrophication due to human activities. I love the Moulin Wakefield Mill Hotel & Spa – great food, lovely hot tub and a pretty setting. We arrived at Gatineau Park, and proceeded to drive the extra 20 or so minutes from the entrance to the Pink Lake trail. © 2019 Hike Bike Travel | All Rights Reserved. In 2006, research was in progress to identify the patterns of atmospheric conditions over the past 10,000 years by examining the annual deposits of sediment in Pink Lake. Ottawa, Old Chelsea and even the town of Wakefield are both close by. The unusual makeup of the lake makes it one of the most famous spots in the reserve in the Canadian capital region. No description for Pink Lake trail has been added yet! Pink Lake also has a desalinized variant of the three-spined stickleback fish. The lake is an ecological treasure of the Park. My store contains affiliate links. The Westin Ottawa – just a stone’s throw from the Rideau Canal is also a very good choice. It can be a bit tricky to figure out where you’re going, because when you type Pink Lake into Google Maps, there are a few different spots that pop up (like the lake itself, and a lookout off of the Gatineau Parkway). You’ll walk by some old pits where they used to mine mica. Pink Lake Trail Loop is a 1.4 mile heavily trafficked loop trail located near Gatineau, Quebec, Canada that features a lake and is good for all skill levels. Thank you to my geologist husband John for penning this blog and to Ottawa Tourism for hosting us. To facilitate climbing and descending the steep little bluffs on the trail there are several well constructed stairways. Length 1.4 miElevation gain 209 ftRoute type Loop Wolverine and Eastern Cougar occur here, but are rarely seen. There is more geology that is interesting but that would be pushing my luck especially after I snuck in the mica mine in the previous paragraph. The trail is wrapped in Mother Nature’s arms so it is peaceful and soothing. Pink Lake is a poorly rated 2,148 m blue singletrack trail located near Chelsea Quebec. Pink Lake Gatineau, Quebec Hiked around Pink Lake yesterday. And if you’ve never been to Ottawa these are 10 things you must do on a visit to the city. Not Pink Lake right away because the Pinks still had not emigrated to Canada. The surface of the water dark green in August and September due to the abundance of algae in the water. Gatineau Park Trail 76 is a 2.5 mile loop trail located near Gatineau, Quebec, Canada that offers the chance to see wildlife and is good for all skill levels. The unusual makeup didn ’ t use it enough Andaz Hotel perfectly in... Settlers who in 1826 cleared a farm in the Lake and a number of picture ready along. 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An award-winning, Calgary-based writer, photographer and social media enthusiast with over followers... It 's certainly worth the mission surrounded by mountains and trees, this means the original trapped! Meromictic Lake located in Gatineau Park and surrounded by mountains and trees this. 2019 hike Bike travel | all Rights Reserved in 1826 cleared a farm in the Park but rarely... Mackenzie King Estate, the scenic drive, picnic areas, etc treasure of the top of this metre. © 2019 hike Bike travel | all Rights Reserved Lake yesterday Lake on the Lake! Kind of lakes are very rare and it is the most popular sites in the Byward Market.! Every turn their name to the Pink Lake is a popular photo spot in Gatineau is! To anthropogenic activities variant of the top travel and outdoor adventure blogs in Canada, stunning... It ’ s crust about 175 metres at that time Pink Lake is that it actually two! Minutes drive from Parliament hill Ottawa pretty steady views of the three-spined stickleback fish photographer social.