Red maple leaf on autumn-coloured pool in Parc National du Mont-Saint-Bruno, Que.

© Gilles Delisle/Jaynes Gallery/DanitaDelimont.co

Leafing it all behind. Time for a swim

Considering that Mont-Saint-Bruno National Park is only a few kilometres from Montréal’s metropolitan area, once you arrive it’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a whole new world. Five lakes, an orchard, a historic mill and kilometres of walking trails make up the stunning park. This red maple leaf, an inherent Canadian icon, is just one of hundreds of flowers you can discover during your visit. While most are already aware of the mighty maple, less known is the fact that red maple trees can grow anywhere from 12 to 27 metres in height and have an average lifespan of 80 to 100 years. Some can grow as old as 200, but such a feat is quite rare.