Wakefield (Quebec)

Wakefield is a picturesque village Municipality of La Pêche on the Gatineau River in the Gatineau Hills near Ottawa. It is on the Quebec side of the river, but is predominantly English-speaking.

Understand
Wakefield was founded in 1830 by Irish, Scottish, and English immigrants. It went on to become a lumber town (like so many others near Ottawa), then became a bedroom community suburb of Ottawa/Gatineau. Nowadays, it's best known as the home of the Black Sheep Inn (see below).

By car
Take any bridge from Ottawa to Gatineau but the Macdonald Cartier bridge from King Edward Street is the most direct. Take Highway 5 to Maniwaki. Go north about 15 minutes past the Casino exit. Take Exit 28 and Wakefield Exit at the immediate roundabout. The Main Street is just down the hill. Total trip time from Byward Market area is about 20 minutes.

By bus
Autobus Gatineau offers service from Ottawa and Gatineau, and from Gracefield and Maniwaki.

Get around
Expéditions Wakefield rents bicycles; see their entry in the "Buy" section.

Seasonal

 * Fall leaves in the Gatineau Hills are incredible. Usually best in late September and early October, the whole region is a feast for your eyes.
 * During the spring months, and "break up time", locals place a barrel on the ice of the Gatineau River. Bets are placed as to when this barrel will sink. Nothing spectacular to see, but if you look for it, it will be there.

Outdoors
Gatineau Park can be accessed from the village and from several other locations nearby. Hiking, walking, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing trails abound.

Walking trails starting from several points in Wakefield Village will give visitors historical or nature perspectives. Groomed and marked baths run along the outskirts of the Village and can be accessed by MacLaren House, near the Mill.

Kayak and canoe in the Gatineau River or one of the hundreds of lakes in the area. Rentals can be arranged with Boutique Burro Borracho at 721-B Riverside Dr beside Solstice Books. Canoe trips can also be booked with Expeditions Radisson

Swim in the Gatineau River near the Wakefield Covered Bridge.

Buy
There are several small shops featuring local artisans and interesting articles; these are only a few of them.

Go next

 * North along Hwy 105 for about 20 km will take you to Low, Quebec. A small town with a hockey arena.
 * Chelsea, known for Gatineau Park, is the next town south on Hwy 5, the highway to Gatineau.