Lachine Canal National Historic Site

Photo: Parcours riverain - Ville de Montréal from Canada — CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons. View the original file · Licence. Used under an open licence; the photographer and Wikimedia do not endorse this site or the venue.

Trails · Le Sud-Ouest

Lachine Canal National Historic Site

FreeLeashed only

A 14.5-kilometre waterside path between the Old Port and Lake Saint-Louis, managed by Parks Canada. The towpath is flat and popular with walkers, runners and cyclists, and Parks Canada lists 'dogs on leash' among the site's facilities, so the route is open to leashed dogs.

Why it made the list

A long, flat, free waterside trail where leashed dogs are explicitly listed as welcome, with cafés and parks along the way, from the Old Port to Lachine.

Good to know before you go

Parks Canada's own page for the site lists 'dogs on leash' among the facilities, confirming that leashed dogs are allowed on the canal banks and path. The page gives no opening hours for the path itself, which is freely accessible; only boat lockage runs to a season. The address shown is Parks Canada's administrative address for the site.

Practical notes

  • The path is busiest at weekends; early mornings are calmer and better for a dog that finds cyclists unsettling.
  • Water fountains are limited along the towpath, so bring a bowl and water for longer walks.

What is available on site

  • Water bowls
  • Step-free access

House rules and verification

The pet policy above is summarised from the venue’s own published information and cross-checked against public listings. Policies change without notice anyway, so confirm the current one with the venue before you travel, and keep your dog leashed anywhere that is not a signed off-leash area. Read the full disclaimer.

Something out of date? Send us a correction, or email us instead.

Similar places

See all

Parc Jean-Drapeau

Montreal, QuebecSource ↗

A large island park in the Saint Lawrence, made up of Île Sainte-Hélène and Île Notre-Dame, with trails, gardens and river views. Dogs are allowed in the green spaces and on the trails provided they stay on a lead; they are not permitted at Jean-Doré Beach or the Aquatic Complex.

Water bowlsShaded seating
Free
BreweriesNo photograph of Microbrasserie 4 Origines yetNo photo yet

Microbrasserie 4 Origines

Montreal, QuebecSource ↗

An independent brewery and neighbourhood taproom in Pointe-Saint-Charles, near the Lachine Canal. Its own page states that dogs are welcome at all times, with water and kibble kept at the counter, and that they may join you on the terrace in summer or inside the taproom in winter.

Dogs indoors
$$ · Moderate
BrunchNo photograph of Ruby Café MTL yetNo photo yet

Ruby Café MTL

Montreal, QuebecSource ↗

A pet-friendly brunch restaurant inside DoggieVille MTL, a dog daycare and resort in the Sud-Ouest. Dogs sit at the table with their owners and are served a dedicated menu of meatballs, 'woof loaf', frozen yoghurt and alcohol-free dog beer; all breeds are welcome but must stay on a lead.

Dogs indoorsDog menu
$$ · Moderate