North Hatley – Eastern Townships

 

Pier at North Hatley

North Hatley is a small village in the Eastern Townships on the north end of Lake Massawippi. It has a population of around 800 people and is one of the prettiest villages in this part of Québec. 

Originally founded by loyalists fleeing an independent America, it is made up essentially of pretty villas overlooking the lake. There is really one road that runs through the village with a few cafés and restaurants and a few tourist oriented shops. There is a good sized car park behind the Pilsner Pub.

Next to the car park there is a children’s play area, a few picnic tables and an unmanned tourist centre. Pop into this centre to pick up a walking tour leaflet for a bit of history of the villas in the village.

North Hatley is a nice place to spend a few quiet and calm hours. Why not come for lunch looking over the lake or afternoon tea?

Pier at North Hatley

Walking by the Lake at North Hatley

Have Lunch on the Lake at North Hatley

North Hatley

Fall Colours at North Hatley

North Hatley is on the Townships Trail

Boat houses in North Hatley

Autumn colours

A typical villa overlooking the lake

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Magog & Lake Memphrémagog

The sun was shining, it’s the weekend, what’s more Canadian that escaping the city to find the countryside? With that in mind we ventured out of Montréal to the Eastern Townships (Cantons de l’Est or Estrie in French). Not really knowing them too well, we chose Magog, one of the better known towns.

Magog is on the Northern edge of lake Memphrémagog who’s southern end stretches into the US. It’s a quaint and very touristic town, really with one main street full of cafés, restaurants, ice-cream parlours and clothes shops. Really nice for lunch and a mooch around. 

Walking along the main street you come to the lake. There’s a nice big childrens’ playground with is very well maintained (like all I’ve seen in Canada). In the same area there are lots of picnic tables, trees for shade and groups of Canadians meeting up with friends. 

Walking a bit further, you come to the small stretches of beach. The sand is quite coarse and dark, but it’s sand and when the sun is shining, the lake’s water lapping in your ears, it’s great. The kids love paddling there too. Magog even provide life-guards!

There are lots of bikes around Magog and their occupants seem to love peddling gently along the promenade which is split between pedestrians and cyclists.

Walk a bit further and you’ve left town! Well, not quite. On the edge of Magog is the infotourist cabin. It’s well worth stopping off and having a look at what’s on offer. It’s well stocked with leaflets and the staff are very friendly.

Of course the main attraction in the Magog area is the Mont Orford national park, but that will be for another post.

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