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***This experience and tour was provided courtesy of Quebec Cite Tourism. All opinions are my own.
Anticipation is the worst part. That is why the staff instructs us to queue in order of nerves. When you are ziplining across the waterfall at Montmorency Falls, in Quebec, Canada, the longer you wait, the more time you have to contemplate. Although you think witnessing multiple safe journeys will assuage your fears, watching others soar at an astonishing height is the quickest way to decide, no thank you.
Drew Hannush from Whiskey Lore states it succinctly, “I’m not afraid of heights. I’m afraid of falling.” Since this is not our first time ziplining, we head to the back of the line. I’m not nervous. I’m excited. Ready for our ziplining across the waterfall experience.
It’s morning and the visitors’ center is bustling with tourists. To avoid the long ticket lines, it’s best to purchase your Montmorency Falls tickets online. After purchasing your basic admission ticket, you can pick add-on experiences. Options include a meal at the Manoir Restaurant and Terrace, a ride on the cable car, and ziplining across Montmorency Falls. Tickets for a guided history tour are acquired at the on-grounds Manoir Montmorency.
History Tour
This is our third tour in Quebec featuring a costumed tour guide. I appreciate Quebec’s garb commitment. The historic clothing motivates your brain to learn.
The tour tells the site’s history. The falls started as a royal country home, then became a major source of industrial power. Now it is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Quebec. Our tour guide was a great source of historical facts. She also gave excellent suggestions for things to do in Quebec City, including places to eat and where to find the best ice cream.
Click Here to read about our Taking an Old Quebec Walking Tour
Click Here to read about our Taking a Guided Tour of the Frontenac Hotel
The Cable Car
The main visitors’ area is at the bottom of the falls. You can make your way to the top by climbing 487 steps or by riding the cable car.
The cable car is an extra charge. For us, the ride was worth the additional cost. The trip is short, but incredibly scenic.
Riding the cable car is an opportunity to capture amazing pictures. Some opt to take the cable car up, then walk down the stairs. We decided to take advantage of the roundtrip ticket and ride the cable car up and back down. Others in our tour group took the stairs down. They enjoyed the chance to take unique photos from the stairs and get splashed by the falls on a hot summer day. If you enjoy a physical challenge, you can save a few dollars and take the stairs up and down. Some tour companies include vehicle transportation to the top of the falls.
The Suspension Bridge
After stepping off the cable car, trails lead to viewing areas. The trail is well-maintained, and a pleasant nature walk.
Niagara Falls is the darling of Canadian waterfalls, but Montmorency Falls is taller than Niagara. If you have a serious fear of heights, you may want to consider whether visiting the top of Montmorency Falls is right for you. The waterfall’s height is featured at all of the lookout points, including the suspension bridge.
A major attraction, the suspension bridge is teeming with people. We slowly weave through the crowd, finding clear spots to marvel at this natural wonder. Compared to other suspension bridges I’ve walked across, the bridge at Montmorency Falls felt stable and didn’t excessively sway.
If you are fearful, stick to the middle of the bride where you can feel protected by the bodies on the outer edge.
La Baronne Observation Deck
Is there such a thing as taking too many waterfall pictures? After crossing the suspension bridge, stop at the La Baronne Observation Deck. The deck is the perfect shady spot to admire the falls. The observation deck is also next to the zipline’s ending point. If you don’t feel like ziplining across the waterfall at Montmorency Falls, you can at least cheer on the zipliners. We chuckled, hearing bystanders gasp, “Those people are absolutely crazy!” The deck crowd ebbed and flowed. The deck would jam up with visitors, then clear out for a few minutes, before filling up again.
The Zipline
After crossing the suspension bridge, follow the signs to the zipline check-in area. There is a large shed where staff are eager to help you start your adventure. For everyone’s safety, you are not permitted to carry anything with you on the zipline. This includes video cameras and phones. There are free lockers at the starting platform to store your belongings. Video cameras are set up along the line to capture your journey. We received a digital copy of our crossing. The staff trust you. They don’t pat you down. Don’t be the content creator in our group who waited until the staff launched him, then pulled his camera from his pocket. Please be a respectful tourist/content creator.
After showing the staff your ticket, you must complete legal paperwork. The finished paperwork is traded in for gear. The gear is intimidating for a novice zipliner. The safety harness and helmet make the danger of what you are about to do feel real. There is a weight limit. This is required to ensure you cross without getting stuck. If you are over the weight limit, you are not permitted to zipline. If you are underweight, you have to wear a weighted apparatus. The staff were friendly and encouraging as they helped us tighten our harnesses and helmets. They did their best to calm anxieties and reassured that the ride is worth overcoming fears. They told each visitor, “You can do it!
If you have never ziplined, ziplining across the waterfall at Montmorency Falls in Quebec, Canada, is ideal for first-timers. Instead of just dangling/hanging in the air, the harness at Montmorency Falls acts like a seat. It feels similar to sitting on a swing. There is also an automatic stop at the end, which is helpful. When we ziplined in Belize, we dangled in the air. We were responsible for controlling our speed and slowing down to a stop before the end platform. It was a lot more involved.
Click Here to read about Ziplining in Belize
At Montmorency Falls, all you have to worry about is positioning your body properly for the ride and the landing. It’s easy.
One by one, members of our group stood at the edge of the platform. The group wildly cheered for their fellow adventurers.
By the time my turn came, I was pumped. I stood on the edge of the platform as the staff gave positioning instructions. Once I passed the positioning test, they sent me on my way.
I immediately set my mind to be in the moment. My eyes focused on the waterfall, my skin tingled from the breeze, and my ears tuned into the furious sound of the plummeting water. The line is set over the bottom pool, and the top of Montmorency Falls is on your right.
The ride is less than a minute. I enjoy every second. I am not a fan of big drops, like roller coasters or a bungee jumps. There is no dropping sensation on the zipline. You feel the speed and the sensation of flying through the air. It’s fun, unless you find heights absolutely terrifying.
If you want to zipline across Montmorency Falls, book your tickets online as soon as possible. Spots are limited and sell out fast.
Conclusion
Even if you don’t want to go ziplining across the waterfall at Montmorency Falls, visiting this major Quebec tourist attraction is worth the time and money. Wander the trails, ride the cable car, and spend time at the viewpoints, marveling at the awe-inspiring beauty and power of nature.
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