Montmorency Falls Park (Parc de la Chute-Montmorency)

One of Quebec City’s highlights, Montmorency Falls Park (Parc de la Chute-Montmorency) is often visited on city sightseeing tours and dedicated bike tours. For a close-up view of the waterfall, you can climb the 487-step mountainside staircase or take the fee-based cable car to the top.

Once there, cross a suspended bridge over the crest of the falls to access both sides of the park. In summer, adventurous travelers can go ziplining over Montmorency Falls or try out the park's via ferrata circuits, while winter travelers can take part in snowshoeing and ice climbing.

• Fees apply for the cable car, ziplining, via ferrata access, and snowshoe rentals.

• Food is offered at the cable car station, at Manoir Montmorency, and at La Terrasse du Manoir.

• The park features three playgrounds for kids.

• Much of the park is wheelchair accessible, although only some of the viewing platforms can be reached by wheelchair.

The falls are located on the boundary between Beauport and Boischatel, about 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) from the heart of Old Quebec. The site offers two paid parking lots, one below the falls and another above the falls. To reach Montmorency Falls by car, take Autoroute 20 northeast from Montreal to Quebec City. Then take Autoroute 440 east out of Quebec City.

Montmorency Falls is a year-round attraction. Ziplining is offered from May to October, and if you’re visiting in July or August, you can try out the via ferrata circuits or catch the international fireworks competition that takes place at the park. In winter, the cable car still runs and the falls gain the famous "Sugarloaf," an impressive mound of ice that forms at the foot of the falls and sometimes reaches up to 98 feet (30 meters) tall.

The Montmorency Falls Park is one of Quebec City's most popular natural attractions, but there's plenty more to explore close to the capital of Quebec Province. Don't miss the historic Plains of Abraham park in downtown Quebec or the Jacques-Cartier National Park, known for its stunning glacial valleys and rivers.