The Lachine Canal was built in 1825 as a means of bypassing the treacherous Lachine Rapids on the St Lawrence River. It was closed to shipping in 1970, but the area has been transformed into a 14km-long cycling and pedestrian pathway, with picnic areas and green spaces. Since the canal was reopened for navigation in 2002, flotillas of pleasure and sightseeing boats glide along its calm waters. Old warehouses converted into luxury condos line the canal near Atwater market.
It’s well worth hiring a bike or in-line skates and heading out along the canal path, but try to avoid summer weekends, when it’s particularly crowded. For a canal-side spin, you can hire bikes from Ça Roule in Old Montréal or My Bicyclette near the Atwater market. Kayaks and boats are also available at nearby H2O Adventures . For a leisurely boat ride where somewhere else does the work, take a ride with Le Petit Navire .
