Chutes Coulonge Aerial Adventure Park

One aspect of the modern world that fascinates me is to see the laborious parts of our past become leisure in the present. For thousands of years, most people farmed to survive, and now, agro tourism has arisen. Chutes Coulonge is another example of this trend. Having supported the region with its waterfalls that transported the fruits of a booming logging industry, it is now the beautiful site of an aerial adventure park. I recently visited Chutes Coulonge to experience this scenic part of history. 

I got strapped in, and began heading to the river. We climbed down the ladder on the edge of the cliff, where I first saw the beautiful view of the rapids below and the mountains around. I would be seeing this canyon from all angles throughout the morning. My guide gave instructions on how to grab the zipline, and then use my glove to slow myself down near the end following a signal. Once I understood, it was time to go.

On my first run, I was able to feel the mist from the waterfall as I flew across the canyon, spending a few seconds appreciating my surroundings before looking ahead for my sign to stop. I put my glove down and smoothly arrived at the opposite mountain, where I was unhooked. The first of three zipline runs went smoothly. 

We then took a quick hike up and down the rugged terrain to get to the next zipline. After a few minutes, we arrived and I attached my harness. On my guide’s signal, I was released over the river, and again looked at the scenery around as I hurtled to the platform. After a few seconds, I landed where my first guide met me. 

It was now time for the via ferrata, but in order to get to the cliff face, we had to traverse the first zipline once more. At this point, I was getting comfortable with the hooking and unhooking, so this third run was the easiest yet. Now that we were done with ziplines, it was to maneuver the exposed Canadian shield above the river.

The way the via ferrata worked was simple. One of my two clips had to be attached to a hook at all times, slowly moving along the path by switching hooks. We slowly made our way along the side of the cliff, pausing at times to see the scenery around us. The via ferrata lasted around 20 minutes, offering a unique view not comparable to anything else.

After finishing the via ferrata and being back on land, I decided to check out the physical features that give the park its name- the waterfalls. On a wooden platform, I observed the magnificent waterfalls which fueled the rapids I had been seeing all day. Having been formed in the ice age, these waterfalls were the driving force of the local economy in the 19th century with log drives. 

Once I was out of my harness, we learned that people can also stay overnight at Chutes Coulonge. Although we would be heading back that same day, we decided to check out one of the yurts that can accommodate up to 6 visitors at a time. Inside, there were bunk beds, a fireplace, and other amenities. It has the perfect balance between modern comfort and access to nature for an overnight stay, particularly for large groups.

Finally, we checked out the logging museum which covered the history of how this site was used. From transporting wood, to attracting tourists, the Coulonge waterfalls have played a critical role in the region's history.. 

If you too want to see some great views, have an adrenaline rush, learn some history, and maybe even stay overnight, check out Chutes Coulonge park in Pontiac, Quebec. Via Ferrata Packages including zip lines are between $94-$134, while the kids adventure park is $44-$69. The yurts cost $160 per night, with up to 6 people staying and splitting the bill. For more information, click here.

David is a fifteen-year-old aspiring adventure and travel writer living in Ottawa.  Skydiving is on his bucket list. David received free tickets to experience this activity but all thoughts are his own.

Visiting and climbing in the Laurentians - Tyroparc and Sentier des Cimes

Ottawa is lucky enough to be close to a mountain range- the Laurentians. Whether it's skiing at Mt Tremblant in the winter, or hiking in the summer, many people in the capital region visit the area at one point in the year. I love these mountains, as they offer a whole new range of activities. I recently went to Tyroparc and Sentier des Cimes near St. Agathe des Monts. 

When we arrived at Tyroparc in the morning, the first thing I saw was the obstacle course for kids. This consists of a series of ziplines and climbing ropes that towers over the center. In the backdrop, I could see the green Laurentians with a few cliffs of exposed white Canadian shield. This is where I would be climbing. I met our guide, got strapped in, and began hiking to the destination. 

After a short uphill walk, we arrived at the Via Ferrata- a long cable pathway along the side of a cliff with small protruding metal steps on which to grip your feet. We attached our harnesses, and began the climb. 

I quickly got the hang of navigating the cable, and enjoyed the quick problem solving of looking for places to put my hands to keep moving. As I looked down, I saw the trees getting increasingly distant as we ascended, still feeling extremely confident in my harness. Eventually, we reached an altitude at which I could see the obstacle course in the distance, as well as the highway, and even a nearby town. 

We stopped for a few moments to fully observe the beauty of the Laurentians. I enjoyed seeing the familiar yet always pleasant view while holding on to a mountain itself, it somehow felt more interactive. We then continued the tour, climbing ladders and walking on thin wooden planks as bridges, before reaching the top. 

It was now time to unbuckle our harnesses and continue hiking even higher, to the first of two mega ziplines. When we arrived, I strapped on top of the platform, and was released, rapidly flying through the air with no visible end. As always, I made sure to take in my surroundings while rapidly cutting through the wind around me. When I made it to the end, it was a quick hike to the next platform, where I did it again. 

On the second zipline, many people opted for the tandem option, making it fun for friends and couples. Once I reached the bottom, we thanked the staff at Tyroparc and went to the hotel, spending a nice evening in the town of St. Agathe des Monts. 

The next morning, it was time to visit another elevated sightseeing spot- Sentier des Cimes, a treetop boardwalk. We arrived at the place, and noticed many old buildings. It turns out that Sentier des Cimes is built on the site of a fish farm from the 1930s, and has a museum dedicated to its history. We checked that out after finishing the trail. 

We then went to the first tower, which led us to the wooden trail, elevated above the forest and offering nice views. It was around a one kilometer uphill climb, with no steps and an elevator allowing for full wheelchair accessibility. Along the way, we saw many birds and even a deer! We then arrived at the highlight of the walkway- a 40 meter high panoramic tower.

This tower is essentially an elevating coil of the walkway, remaining wheelchair accessible as you walk in circles to ascend. We did this, and enjoyed the increasingly wide views of the mountains. Along the way, we passed some equipment that is reserved for LA-HAUT, an 35 minute aerial acrobatic show that takes place inside the tower every morning and evening until mid September. This is one of the most unique uses of the panoramic tower, and offers one of the only circus shows with fresh air and mountainous scenery. 

Finally, we reached the top of the tower, where we slowly walked around to get as many photos as possible. There is also a net in the center of the platform with nothing between it and the ground. Naturally, me and many younger children excitedly walked onto this mesh of ropes, with hesitant parents following. Once we had finished taking a final look at the Laurentians, we walked all the way back, where we finished off the day by checking out the fish museum.

All in all, we had a great time visiting the region that so many Ottawa residents limit to Mt. Tremblant. I would highly recommend Tyroparc and Sentier des Cimes for capital teens and families.

For a great experience in the Laurentians this summer, check out Tyroparc and Sentier des Cimes. Tyroparc offers various packages offering combinations of the ziplines, via ferrata, hiking and aerial obstacle course. Most of these remain available in the winter, and also include snowmobiling and skiing. Sentier des Cimes costs between $21-31 depending on age for a one day pass, and also offers various combo packages and the high flying show. 

Bat Caves and Ziplining at Arbraska Lafleche

As frequent readers of the blog may know, I am someone who greatly enjoys outdoor tourism. From ziplining, to kayaking, I feel like there are few things I have yet to check off my bucket list. Something I hadn't done before this weekend is spelunking, more commonly known as cave exploration. Luckily,I was able to not only ride a zipline for this weekend’s excursion at Arbraska Lafleche, I also visited my first cave- and because it's hibernation season, I wasn’t alone in it.

Upon our arrival, we were warmly greeted by the staff of Arbraska Lafleche. We met our guide, who gave us our helmets, ready to bring us to the cave. He led the way, educating us about how caves form and the geology of the area. After a short walk, we arrived at Gatineau’s puncture in the Canadian Shield: Caverne Lafleche.

We entered through a man-made tunnel, dodging ice stalactites and stalagmites. Our guide then opened the door, at which point we turned on the flashlights and walked in. Almost immediately, I looked up and saw a bat!  It was half the size of my hand, black, covered in frost and hanging upside down directly above my head. As I looked forward, dozens more bats were revealed, scattered in miscellaneous clumps on the cave ceiling, all deep in hibernation. A spooky sight to some, but definitely a rare glimpse into this part of nature.

We continued walking through the cave, seeing some small lakes along the way. Throughout the tour, our guide informed us on bats, the history of the cave, and some more geology. At one point, I was allowed to squeeze into a small tunnel that led to a chamber with more water, and carvings from explorers that had been there decades earlier.

We then made our way up a steep metallic staircase, where we entered another chamber. It was here that our guide got us to turn off our lights and experience what the cave is really like: pitch black and silent, with occasional interruptions from dripping water and chirps from half-sleeping bats.

With that perspective into the subterranean world, we returned to the sun’s domain, at which point I continued my vertical ascent to Arbraska Lafleche’s zip line. The zipline overlooked the lake that is connected to the cavern water, with a beautiful view of Canadian shield mountains covered in evergreens. Once it was my turn to go, I jumped off the platform and flew through the air above the scenic park, just as the bats below me will in the spring. A fitting end to a great visit. 

From the depths of the earth, to the thrills of the sky, I had a wonderful time at Arbraska Lafleche. On top of cave tours and ziplining, the park also offers hiking (snowshoeing in certain conditions) and a full zipline-powered aerial trek in the forest. These are all suitable for ages 5+. There is also a night trek via zipline for ages 16+. For more information, click here.

David is a fifteen-year-old aspiring adventure and travel writer living in Ottawa.  Skydiving is on his bucket list. He received a complimentary ticket for this post, but all views are his own.

Great Canadian Bungee - Ziplining in the Ottawa Area for Teens and Tweens

We welcome back our fifteen-year-old guest blogger David, who recently went and ziplined at the Great Canadian Bungee!

*****

Tourist attractions that break national records are typically household names. Niagara Falls as the largest waterfall and the CN tower as the tallest building are good examples of this. As it turns out, there is a record breaking attraction in Gatineau- but its record tends to scare away half the crowd and pull in the other half even harder. I recently visited Great Canadian Bungee up in Chelsea Gatineau and saw what they have to offer. 

As soon as we drove into the quarry hills, I pointed out what I thought to be a crane or a radio tower. It turns out that it was the tallest bungee jump in the country, with a height of 200 feet! From a platform at the top of a cliff overlooking the lagoon and quarry, people plummeted and bounced around one at a time while attached to the bungee cord. We watched in awe as they went into a freefall only to rebound 160 feet again, repeating the process until they were dangling. 

The thrillseekers were then detached from the bungee by a staff member in a raft. We watched the whole process from the railings on the shoreline. Unfortunately, I was unable to do the bungee as a result of a recent neck strain, but it is definitely still on my bucket list. I was, however, able to enjoy the other attraction at Great Canadian Bungee- the RipRide.

The RipRide is a zip line that goes from one of the wooded cliffs next to the bungee jump, across the lagoon, and into a floating platform in the water 1050 feet from the start. After watching the bungee jumpers, I went with my group up a hillside trail to the zipline. After the safety instructions, our guide offered for us to put on a regular harness or a flying harness. Naturally, I chose the flying harness, though I didn’t quite know what it would lead to. I put on a suit that made me look like a flying squirrel and went up the stairs to get strapped in.

As I stood on the platform, I saw the daunting view of the lagoon 200 feet below me. Nevertheless, I patiently waited for the door to lower. Finally, I was released and flew with my belly facing the ground above the water and next to the quarry. As the wind rushed into me, I was able to get a spectacular view of the site. The ride lasted for longer than I expected while maintaining an overwhelming speed. Eventually, I braked and was lowered to the floating platform where a staff member unbuckled me. It was a thrill of a lifetime.

If you want to also experience the RipRide or the record breaking bungee jump, see pricing for the two activities here. Your first bungee jump will be $156.56 and RipRide will be $34.79; combos for lower prices or large groups are available. For Bungee Jumping, the minimum weight is 80 lbs and maximum is 300 lbs.

For the RipRide, the minimum weight is 70 lbs and maximum is 250 lbs. Parents must sign a waiver for the Ripride and Bungee for children under 18. For general information about Great Canadian Bungee and the options offered, see https://bungee.ca/. 

David is a fifteen-year-old aspiring adventure and travel writer living in Ottawa.  Skydiving is on his bucket list.

Interzip - a unique zip lining experience from Ontario to Quebec

Last week we got invited to experience zip lining from one province to another at the InterZip Rogers (last year Misty got to try it out and you can check out her recount of the experience here.)My husband and three teens (13 year old twins and a 15 year old) all got to try out the experience. My family is not one of thrill seekers and so I wasn’t sure how it would go but all four of them really enjoyed it! (The most nerve wracking part was climbing the tower (you climb 120 metres in the air which is about the heigh of 9 stories) - partially because it’s high and partially because of nerves for the upcoming jump).

They enjoyed that the ride went slower than a lot of other zip lines (it travels at 40 kms a hour and lasts about 40 seconds.)

Our consensus is that if your kids are the types who enjoy zip lines in general, this is a great activity for any kids who fit the minimum weight requirement of 70lbs.

How it works

You arrive at the ticket office on the Gatineau side and check in. You are then weighed and your equipment is chosen based on weight and size. You are given your equipment which is put on loosely, and then you walk about 5-10 minutes across the river and over to the tower.

You are then led through safely strapping in to your equipment and through safety instructions for climbing the tower. There is a maximum of ten people on the tower at a time, and people zip down in pairs.

Once people reach the top of the stairs they are strapped in, given instructions for their journey down, and for the appropriate landing position at the end.

To note, almost my entire family thought the ride went a little further than when they actually stopped (they had their eyes on the final bumpers) and were surprised when they stopped abruptly a little sooner than that.

We also had a chance to celebrate at the end with ice cream from the restaurant located on site.

Cost

14 and under: $29.99

15 and over: $39.99

It is recommended you book ahead of time as some days sell out completely.

Video

You can also purchase a video of your experience for $19 which is a nice keepsake. Here are the two we got!

Are there age or weight restrictions?

There are no age restrictions but there are weight restrictions. For kids under 18 a parent/guardian must sign a waiver.

The minimum weight is : 70 pounds.

And the maximum weight is : 250 pounds.

You must also be able to climb the tower on your own. A few other restrictions include: pregnant women, intoxication, missing limb (arm or leg), extreme asthma or breathing problems, epilepsy, high blood pressure, skeletal, joint or ligament problems.

Note that the participant must have full use of their arms, legs and hands and be able to walk up and down steps without fatigue or assistance.

The right to restrict access to any person is at the discretion of the management.

How should you dress?

Closed shoes and clothing appropriate to the weather conditions. Helmet, harness and specialised equipment will be provided on site.

Can I bring my camera or things with me?

No, you need to leave all of your possession at the main office and zip with nothing in your pockets or hands.

Any other questions? Check out the official FAQ

Disclosure: we were provided free tickets to enjoy this attraction but all opinions are our own.