Pink Lake

Pink Lake is one of Gatineau Park's easiest short walks and one of its most interesting natural sites. A loop trail circles the small lake through forest and lookout points, with signs explaining the unusual water chemistry.

It is popular, and parking can fill quickly on autumn weekends when the park's colours are at their peak. Go early or late in the day, and stay on the trail; the lake's fragile ecology is exactly why swimming is not allowed.

things to do nature lake sight
A story
Pink Lake is not pink. Its name comes from the Pink family, early settlers in the area, while the water often looks blue-green because the lake is meromictic: its upper and lower layers do not mix in the normal seasonal way.