The Balcony Loop via Red trail
3.4 mi
Distance
1 hrs 43 min
Time
terrain
912 ft
Elev Gain
Overview
This is a moderate loop trail to The Balcony in Gatineau Park. This trail goes by Home cliff, Alpine Cabin, and South Window.
Rate this Hike
★★★★★
Enjoyed the cooler weather. 18 degrees at the trailhead. It rained for about 20 minutes, which freshened up the mud created by heavy rains earlier in the week. The South Window is arguably a better lookout than its better known neighbor, The Gallery.
If you are looking for fall colours, it is still too early.
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Nice level approach from the road is a good warmup. I turned left towards the “Alpine Cabin” but after much scrambling along the base of the cliff I was unable to find a safe route to the top. (I am an old guy, so perhaps someone younger and fitter would have better luck). I reversed course and and headed up the well travelled eastern branch of the trail. The trail was easy to follow until the branch that takes you up to the Gallery lookout. Beyond that point I needed to use my GPS to follow the trail. It was worth the effort, as the view from the South Window was spectacular. The trail follows the top of the escarpment for a distance, a relief after all that climbing. After that, the route was all downhill. I tried to descend from the Alpine Cabin but once again could not find the trail. Once again I decided to take the safe route (I am old, and hiking solo).
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