T Riman
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Is Montreal One of North America’s Most Walkable Cities? (2026 Guide)

Yes — Montreal consistently ranks among North America’s most walkable cities, with a Walk Score above 65 island-wide and several neighbourhoods scoring 95+. The mix of dense residential streets, pedestrian-friendly mixed-use design, excellent public transit, and walkable winters (thanks to the Underground City) makes Montreal one of the easiest big cities on the continent to live without a car. Here’s what makes it so walkable, plus the 5 most pedestrian-friendly neighbourhoods.

Why Montreal Is So Walkable

  • Dense neighbourhood design: Most central Montreal neighbourhoods were built before cars dominated — narrower streets, mixed shops and homes, walkable distances to everything.
  • The Underground City (RÉSO): 33 km of climate-controlled tunnels connect metro stations, malls, hotels, and offices — making winter walking practical.
  • Metro coverage: 4 lines cover most of the central city; bus network fills the gaps.
  • BIXI bike share: 700+ stations across the island and South Shore.
  • Compact downtown: Most central attractions are within a 30-minute walk of each other.
  • Year-round sidewalks: Snow plowing on sidewalks is generally good in central neighbourhoods.

Montreal’s Walk Score vs. Other Cities

City Walk Score (city-wide)
New York 89
San Francisco 89
Boston 83
Montreal 65
Toronto 61
Vancouver 59
Chicago 78

Within Canada, Montreal regularly tops walkability rankings or ties with Toronto. Central neighbourhoods score much higher than the island average.

5 Most Walkable Montreal Neighbourhoods

1. Plateau-Mont-Royal (Walk Score: 96)

Iconic spiral staircases, dense triplexes, walkable to everything: cafés, restaurants, Mount Royal Park, Saint-Louis Square. Often ranks as Montreal’s most walkable neighbourhood.

2. Mile End (Walk Score: 95)

Bagels, coffee, street art, indie shops all within minutes. Highly walkable street grid.

3. Downtown / Centre-Ville (Walk Score: 94)

Office towers, condos, malls, McGill — all walkable plus the Underground City for winter.

4. Old Montreal (Walk Score: 92)

Cobblestone, narrow streets, completely walkable. The most “European” feeling neighbourhood.

5. Le Sud-Ouest / Saint-Henri / Little Burgundy (Walk Score: 90)

Trendy and walkable with the Lachine Canal path, Atwater Market, Notre-Dame West shops.

What Makes Other Areas Less Walkable

  • West Island: Suburban, low-density, more car-dependent
  • Far East End: Less mixed-use, longer walks to amenities
  • South Shore (Brossard, etc.): Built around malls and highways

Walking Montreal in Winter

Yes, you can walk in winter. Tips:

  • Insulated boots with good grip are non-negotiable from December–March
  • Use the Underground City for long downtown errands during cold snaps
  • Layer with windproof outer shell — wind chill is the killer, not temperature
  • Plan around plowing schedules — sidewalks are cleared within 24–48 hours of snowfall

Best Walking Routes for Visitors

  • Old Montreal loop: Notre-Dame Basilica → Place Jacques-Cartier → Old Port → Bonsecours Market (2 hours)
  • Plateau walking tour: Sherbrooke metro → Saint-Louis Square → Avenue Mont-Royal → Mile End → St-Viateur Bagels (3 hours)
  • Lachine Canal walk: Atwater Market → Old Port via the canal path (1 hour)
  • Mount Royal Park loop: Belvédère Kondiaronk → Beaver Lake → Cemetery (2–3 hours)

More Montreal Travel Guides

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Adriano Di Pancrazio
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Top 5 things to do this 2020 summer in Montreal’s East-End

After surviving another cold, long and relentless winter, Montreal always finds a way to bounce back come summer. It almost turns into a different city when the heat rolls around. As Montrealers, we want to use all the energy we’ve been conserving from our hibernation and take advantage of any half-decent weather. That being said, while there is a plethora of things to do in the rest of Montreal this summer, there is a black-sheep among the neighbourhoods on the island: the East-End. The East-End often gets overlooked by visitors and locals alike because it doesn’t have the flash and glamour that downtown Montreal and Old Montreal has, but you know what, that’s perfectly okay with us because the East-end is about getting back to basics and enjoying the simpler things in life!  

Here are 5 of the best things to do this 2020 summer in Montreal’s East-End

 

  1. Food truck festival “First Fridays” at the Olympic Stadium

  As the name suggests, the food truck festival named First Fridays takes place every first Friday of the month between June 7th to October 4th (June 7, July 5th, August 2nd, September 6th and October 4th) and operates between 4:00pm to 11:00pm. There are many ways to access the festival grounds as well. You can go by car and make use of the underground parking at the Olympic stadium, but travellers be wary – there will be a fee. You can also travel by bike or Bixi, but the easiest way is to take the metro (green-line) to either Viau or Pie-IX station and take a short walk towards all the hubbub. First Fridays is one of, if not the biggest collection of food trucks in Canada. That being so, the crowds are big and some lines tend to require a patient constitution, but fret not, it is totally worth the wait. It boasts 50 food trucks from around the city and as Montreal is known as a food haven you can expect some amazing eats from every one of them. The site offers 500 spaces to sit around at themed terraces to eat with a total of 3,000 seats available around the entire festival site. Just when you think it couldn’t get better, there is no entrance fee to join the festival! With 50 food trucks available at your disposal It has a wide range of food options to satisfy any of those knacking cravings. From poutines, tacos, burgers, Asian cuisine and desserts there is something for everyone here. Based on past years they’ve also had many vegan options as well!  If the food wasn’t enough to entice you, there is also the SAQ (Société des alcools du Québec) and a handful of microbreweries on standby that offer something to cool your throat to go along with the copious amount of food you definitely won’t be able to stop devouring. First Fridays are a perfect date spot or just a simple evening with family and friends. Eat drink and be merry we say and if that doesn’t call for a perfect summer evening in Montreal, we don’t know what does!
Food Truck in Montreal

Photo by Should Wang on Unsplash

2. Spend an afternoon or evening at Parc de la Promenade-Bellerive

Located in the Mercier-Est borough, Parc de la Promenade-Bellerive is one of the more unique parks located on the island. It is hard to believe that a park like this exists in the middle of Montreal. It really offers something for everybody and here are a couple of our favorite ideas on how best to spend your time here! Biking For those of you who want to take your bikes to the East-End make sure to take advantage of the bike path here. If you look at the park on a map, it doesn’t seem that you would be here long but it is bigger than the image suggests! The path is traditional in the sense that it circles the park but what sets it apart from the others is the incredible view as you bike alongside the St-Lawrence river. With boats passing by and the noises of it all, you can really get immersed in all of it. The park also has a lot of kite-flyers on nice days so you will have a great view for your entire bike ride.  Picnic For those preferring a more relaxing experience, why not spend the day outside and have a picnic! At the park, there are plenty of tables and gazebos in which you can bring a lunch or supper and enjoy it by the waterfront. You can eat and watch the boats pass by and enjoy some alone time and of course, you are encouraged to bring family and friends!  Visit during the evening  If you chose to go during the evening, you can sometimes catch local bands playing in the gazebos which can be a lot of fun as quite a bit of people end up showing up and having a good time. 
Park in Montreal

Photo by Krisztina Papp on Unsplash

  1. Take the Promenade Bellerive-Boucherville Ferry

If you’ve got more time on your hands and are looking for a bit more adventure, look no further! Bellerive park also provides you access to Charron Island!  At the southern edge of the park, you will find the ferry which will take you across. The ferry will run you about $10 Canadian and takes about 15 minutes to cross. Once on Charron island, you’ll have a few options on what to do! You can check out Longueuil Beach, A disk golf center or our top recommendation of visiting Îles-de-Boucherville National Park.  Here you can really take advantage and do a ton  of different activities. From taking a picnic to biking, canoeing, and kayaking it can be a daunting task on what to do. Asking the friendly staff members or getting yourself a map of the island can help plan your day ahead. It also has quite a bit of wildlife to be found ranging from deer, birds, and beavers so if you have an interest in photography, this can be a great spot for you. The island is also big so be prepared with the essentials when arriving!  
  1. Check out Village au Pied-Du-Courant
Village au Pied-Du-Courant is a very unique event that happens in the East-End during summer. It is located on Notre-Dame Street East, almost under the Jacques-Cartier bridge. The village started back in 2015 and was a creative way in which Montreal used its empty space. This reinvented public space was the product of many collaborators across the city that made this happen. It really has encouraged the communities to get together which creates a very attractive atmosphere to be a part of.   The village is a fantastic way to spend a day or evening, however, make sure to check the hours of operations as they still have not released the information. (Assuming they do the same hours as last year it goes as follows. Mondays to-Wednesdays they are closed. Thursday 4-9 pm, Friday 5 pm-12 am Saturday 4 pm-12 am, Sunday 3-11 pm). It is important to note that Pied-Du-Courant is absolutely free!   The village really has a beach-themed/boardwalk feel to it with features like (you are quite literally walking on sand) live music, barbeque, a bar inside, food trucks with various activities present on-site throughout the day. It is also very much a kid-friendly environment providing family spaces and activities for kids and family alike. During the day, it is generally accepted that it is for everybody of all ages as the vibe and environment changes a little as it gets later.     During the evening you will have a bit of a different experience than earlier in the day. At night, the village slowly turns into more of a loungy party area, which is a great time if you are looking to let loose a little and have a unique date idea or outing with friends. A mix of the gathering people, the cool summer breeze, the atmosphere, and the view of the Jacques Cartier bridge, LaRonde and the St-Lawrence scream Montreal at its finest. If you truly want to round out your night out, plan to go on a Saturday night where LaRonde will have its fireworks show which is sure to create some great memories for Summer 2020. P.S You are not allowed to bring your own alcohol and make sure to bring cash as they do not have debit or credit card machines on everything!
Village au Pied-Du-Courant

Photo by Jenns Johnssnon on Unsplash

 
  1. Saint-Leonard Cavern
For those of you wanting to do something different and adventurous have you ever thought of spelunking right here in Montreal, let alone right here in the East-End? That’s right, in the St-Leonard borough there’s a cave that was used as a weapons armory during the 19th century. It is now turned into an explorable cave in which you can visit and pay tour guides to take you around.  The tour is short, but is very informative. It is something you never really think about doing, but once you actually try it out you realize how unique and enriching of an activity it could be. It’s a great experience for all ages and something else to knock off that bucket list.  Here you have it, the 5 best things to do in Montreal’s East-End in summer 2020. As we all eagerly await another beautiful summer in Montreal, try to plan something new this year and come back to simpler times in Montreal’s East-End!  
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T Riman
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50 KM Biking Circuit Near Montreal: Nature, Lakes & River Trails (2026 Guide)

Parks and Rivers Close to Montreal

One of the best one-day cycling adventures near Montreal is the ~50 km circuit through nature, lakes, and rivers on the Île-des-Sœurs / Brossard / Longueuil side of the Saint Lawrence. The route mixes dedicated bike paths along waterways, quiet residential streets, and panoramic skyline views — all on flat, paved terrain that works for […]

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T Riman
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Bike Trip from Montreal to Fort de Chambly: 40 KM Riverside Route (2026 Guide)

Bike from montreal to Fort Chambly

The bike ride from Montreal to Fort de Chambly is one of the best half-day cycling adventures from the city — about 40 km one way along the Saint Lawrence and Richelieu River, mostly on dedicated bike paths. The destination is a 17th-century fort and a charming canalside village. Here’s the complete 2026 guide.

The Route

Start at the Old Port. Cross via the Jacques-Cartier Bridge bike lane to Île Sainte-Hélène, then continue south through Parc Jean-Drapeau and via the Île Charron tunnel toward the South Shore. Follow the Route Verte markers south through Longueuil, Boucherville, and into the Richelieu Valley, ending at Fort de Chambly. Approximately 40 km one way.

What to See at Fort de Chambly

  • Fort de Chambly National Historic Site: Restored 17th-century stone fort on the Richelieu River. Small admission fee.
  • Chambly Canal: Historic canal with locks still in use; cycling and picnic spots along the towpath.
  • Vieux-Chambly: Pretty old village with cafés and ice cream.
  • Bassin de Chambly: Wide lake-like section of the river — sailing and paddling spots.

Practical Information

  • Difficulty: Intermediate. 40 km one way means 80 km round-trip — fit cyclists only, or arrange one-way transport back.
  • Surface: Mostly paved bike paths, some shared road sections.
  • Best season: May to October.
  • Train back option: Exo trains accept bikes — check Saint-Lambert or Saint-Hubert stations.

What to Bring

  • Helmet, lock, pump and patch kit
  • 3+ L of water
  • Snacks and lunch (or budget for Chambly)
  • Sunscreen, hat, layers
  • Lights for sunset return
  • Phone holder for navigation

Alternative: One-Way Trip

For a more relaxed day, ride one way (40 km) and take the train back, or arrange a friend with a car to pick you up. The full out-and-back is a serious 80 km ride.

More Cycling Day Trips

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