Gatineau Hills

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The view from Luskville Falls in the Gatineau Hills.
The view from Luskville Falls in the Gatineau Hills.
Gatineau Hills across Ottawa west end and Ottawa river.
Gatineau Hills across Ottawa west end and Ottawa river.
Ottawa valley at the skirts of Gatineau Hills.
Ottawa valley at the skirts of Gatineau Hills.
For other uses, see Gatineau (disambiguation).

The Gatineau Hills are a geological formation in Canada that makes up part of the southern tip of the Canadian Shield, and acts as the northern shoulder of the Ottawa Valley. They are also the foothills of the Laurentian Mountains which stretch east through Quebec, beginning north of Montreal and joining up with others into Vermont and New Hampshire.

The geology of Gatineau Park, which encompass these foothills, is related to the Eardly Escarpment, which is a fault line that lies along the southern edge of the hills. This escarpment makes the part an attractive location for rock climbers and hikers, offering a beautiful view of the relatively flat fields below, which extend to the Ottawa River. The Eardley Escarpment is part the northern side of the Ottawa-Bonnechere Graben, which is an ancient rift valley.

The Gatineau Hills are also significant as a skiing destination, serving the neighbouring communities of Ottawa, Ontario and Gatineau, Quebec. Gatineau Park contains over 190 km of cross-country trails, and plays host to the annual Gatineau Loppet competition. Downhill skiing is also available, at locations including Camp Fortune, Mont Cascades, and Vorlage. The hills are small compared to the ski areas in the northeast, such as Mont Tremblant and Mont Ste-Anne, or southeast in Vermont, New Hampshire and New York in the USA.

The location of the hills are also useful for communications, and Ryan Tower, a prominent communications tower at Camp Fortune, provides a large portion of the area's broadcast television and radio signals.

The area is a prime tourist attraction, particularly during the October weeks when the foliage is turning colour. Photographs and paintings of the area are a popular tourist item.