A new project is underway on the west side of Highway 5 to upgrade the Hautes-Plaines trail, connecting Chelsea’s centre-village to Gatineau city limits and the NCC trail network of Gatineau Park.  Parts of this 3.8 km trail are well used but other parts, crossing difficult terrain, are in need of significant improvements to the surface and to the crossings over two ravines as well as over Chelsea Creek. Designated as a Structural Corridor (AS2) in the Active Transport Master Plan, this trail, when completed, will offer year-round recreational and active transport commuting opportunities for Chelsea residents and visitors alike. 

For planning purposes, the trail is divided into North and South sections. 

The undeveloped northern section runs along municipal land acquired for the trail during the Hendrick Farm subdivision process. It extends from Old Chelsea Road to Chelsea creek where it meets the southern section, which is made up of traditional trails on old farm roads and fields now belonging to Quebec’s Ministry of Transport. This southern section of the trail is 2.7 km long and ends at Chelsea’s southern border with the city of Gatineau, where it meets the vast National Capital Commission network of trails. 

 The short term priority for the Hautes-Plaines trail is to improve trail accessibility by building culverts over two ravines in the southern section. This project is being led by a very active local trails committee of residents from the neighbourhoods bordering the Hautes-Plaines trail.  

A new project is underway on the west side of Highway 5 to upgrade the Hautes-Plaines trail, connecting Chelsea’s centre-village to Gatineau city limits and the NCC trail network of Gatineau Park.  Parts of this 3.8 km trail are well used but other parts, crossing difficult terrain, are in need of significant improvements to the surface and to the crossings over two ravines as well as over Chelsea Creek. Designated as a Structural Corridor (AS2) in the Active Transport Master Plan, this trail, when completed, will offer year-round recreational and active transport commuting opportunities for Chelsea residents and visitors alike. 

For planning purposes, the trail is divided into North and South sections. 

The undeveloped northern section runs along municipal land acquired for the trail during the Hendrick Farm subdivision process. It extends from Old Chelsea Road to Chelsea creek where it meets the southern section, which is made up of traditional trails on old farm roads and fields now belonging to Quebec’s Ministry of Transport. This southern section of the trail is 2.7 km long and ends at Chelsea’s southern border with the city of Gatineau, where it meets the vast National Capital Commission network of trails. 

 The short term priority for the Hautes-Plaines trail is to improve trail accessibility by building culverts over two ravines in the southern section. This project is being led by a very active local trails committee of residents from the neighbourhoods bordering the Hautes-Plaines trail.  

The Centre-Village Trail project is  underway.  The route has been established; businesses and property owners have agreed to grant right-of-way access to a non-motorized  path providing a calmer, offroad alternative to residents and visitors wanting to explore Old Chelsea village.  The planned walking trail will start from Padden Road, go across the Padden Lofts property, across the MRC des Collines property to connect with the property of the St. Stephen church, Nordik and Old Chelsea roads. If we were to add a crossing on Old Chelsea Road towards the Hendrick Farm, a walking route would allow a complete loop, a connection with the trail following the ravine south of Old Chelsea Road to the NCC parking lot and trail system into Gatineau Park, or alternatively back to Chelsea village services.