Connecting Nature and Neighbours
Sentiers Chelsea Trails is dedicated to the preservation and creation of a green trails and active transport network that connects neighbourhoods, the village centre, schools, community centres and the natural assets of Gatineau Park and the Gatineau River.
Join a crew
By becoming a member of Sentiers Chelsea Trails you are investing in the preservation of our precious and historic trails networks, advocacy for future trails infrastructure and the ability to pursue an active lifestyle close to home.
For more than a hundred years, the culture of our village has been defined by the beauty of the landscape and wildlife of the Gatineau hills and river. It is this treasured asset and the access to the natural world and recreation that continues to draw residents and visitors alike.
In the face of rapid development, we need your voice more than ever to help us build a vision, shape the future, spread the word and keep this trails culture alive and growing within our community. Please speak up for our environment and our lifestyle and become a lifetime member of Sentiers Chelsea Trails.
Create your own trail
One of the key ways Chelsea’s trail network is growing is through the generosity of some property owners who have added their own trails to the broader trail network. How? By signing a revocable land owner agreement with Sentiers Chelsea Trails and the Municipality of Chelsea, and granting permission for their trail or a section of a trail to be used by the public.
This has become an increasingly popular option because it helps provide valuable trail connections between local neighbourhoods while respecting private property rights. The agreements provide liability coverage through the Municipality of Chelsea’s insurance, and the agreements can be ended at any time if the owner wishes (none have to date!). SCT looks after all paperwork and will maintain the trail. We now have agreements with 18 landowners in Chelsea and more are in the works. Through this simple process you can make a huge impact on the trail network.
Interested? Please get in touch with us.
News & Events
Hike 4: Geology Hike with Dr Rob Rainbird
Hike 4: Geology Hike with Dr Rob Rainbirdby sct_admin It was a perfect fall day for our last hike in the Chelsea 150 series. Geologist Dr Rob Rainbird led about 50 people through the remarkable and…
Hike 3: Three Cemeteries Hike
Hike 3: Three Cemeteries Hikeby sct_admin | Sep 27, 2025 A big thank you to the interpreters who helped make our 3rd SCT Hike a huge success – as well as the weather! Our hike started at the…
Hike 2: Fields to Forest
Hike 2: Fields to Forestby sct_admin | Aug 9, 2025 Christoph Weber, Bonnie Pankiw and Betty Pavey led a very engaging and informative hike on Saturday in the chemin Dunmor – Lost Field area! ~24…
Ongoing Projects
Centre Village Trail Network
The Centre-Village Trail project is underway. The route has been established; businesses and property owners have agreed to grant right-of-way access to a non-motorized path providing a calmer, offroad alternative to residents and visitors wanting to explore Old Chelsea village. The planned walking trail will start from Padden Road, go across the Padden Lofts property, across the MRC des Collines property to connect with the property of the St. Stephen church, Nordik and Old Chelsea roads. If we were to add a crossing on Old Chelsea Road towards the Hendrick Farm, a walking route would allow a complete loop, a connection with the trail following the ravine south of Old Chelsea Road to the NCC parking lot and trail system into Gatineau Park, or alternatively back to Chelsea village services.
Hautes-Plaines Trail Upgrade
A new project is underway on the west side of Highway 5 to upgrade the Hautes-Plaines trail, connecting Chelsea’s centre-village to Gatineau city limits and the NCC trail network of Gatineau Park. Parts of this 3.8 km trail are well used but other parts, crossing difficult terrain, are in need of significant improvements to the surface and to the crossings over two ravines as well as over Chelsea Creek. Designated as a Structural Corridor (AS2) in the Active Transport Master Plan, this trail, when completed, will offer year-round recreational and active transport commuting opportunities for Chelsea residents and visitors alike.