While fitter Montréalers jog and cycle up the winding road and trails I stick with the #11 bus which takes you to the top of the mountain. Mountain is a relative term as the peak is only 233m in elevation which is only 2/3 as high as Burnaby Mountain at 370m.
What Mount Royal lacks in height it makes up for in beauty and facilities. Its formal design holds many ways of enjoying the park. Lac aux Castors (Beaver Lake) is a man-made lake where you can try out a peddle-boat. The Maison Smith holds an exhibit about the history of the park and houses a café. In the nearby field are various abstract sculptures for the visitor to contemplate and puzzle over. Undoubtably, the best views are from the Chalet. The city spreads out below the Chalet plaza. It's a view reminiscent of Hong Kong from Victoria Peak. There are even facilities for the dead–a Protestant and a Catholic cemetaries are located on the mountain.
Further up the mountain is the huge steel membered illuminated cross which can be seen from the city below. There are also two large antenna towers which broadcast TV, radio, and cell phone service down to the city.
This is a beautiful place to be on a hot summer day with lots of shady trees, slightly cooler air, and a breeze.
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