2.9
PDI
1.2 mi
DISTANCE
461 ft
GAINED
7.4 %
AVG. GRADE
FULL CLIMB STATS
INTRO
PLAN YOUR ROUTE
We've partnered with Sherpa-Map.com to bring you the best route planning tool. With a PRO Membership you can use this climb as a reference when creating your route. Camillien-Houde is short, but it doesn't ease into it. PJAMM's GPX shows roughly 1.2 miles (1.9 km) averaging around 7%, while the UCI's own course notes describe the full climb as 2.3 km at 6.2% overall - the gap comes down to exactly where the counting starts, since the road eases briefly near the base before its steepest work begins.
The real test comes in the finishing kilometers, where sections of the connecting Chemin de la Polytechnique tip past 11% - the pitch that has shelled the pack in race after race here. There's no long high-altitude grind, just a series of sharp, punchy ramps through switchbacks in dense forest, over almost before your legs know what happened - exactly why it produces decisive race moves rather than pure wars of attrition.
Roadway: The pavement is smooth and in excellent shape - the city resurfaced Camillien-Houde and eliminated its potholes in a repaving project completed in July 2026, specifically ahead of the World Championships. The road is fully closed to all vehicle traffic from September 4 through October 4, 2026 for event setup, racing, and teardown, with normal car access resuming October 5.
Traffic: This has long been one of Montreal's more contested roads. Roughly 10,000 vehicles a day once used Camillien-Houde as a cut-through the mountain, prompting the city to ban through-traffic in 2018 and convert its narrowest section to an alternating, traffic-light-controlled one-way lane in 2019 - safety measures that followed the death of a cyclist in 2017.
Parking: Regular parking is available in the small lots at Maison Smith and around Beaver Lake (Lac aux Castors), reached via Camillien-Houde or Remembrance Road, and near the Belvedere Kondiaronk lookout close to the summit. Weekends draw heavy foot and bike traffic to the park, so lots fill early - a weekday or early-morning visit gives you the best shot at parking near the base.
There's no need for specialized climbing gear here - Camillien-Houde is short enough to ride on whatever bike gets you to the base, though a compact or wide-range gearing setup helps on the 11%+ pitches near the top if you're not used to punchy climbing.
Water and food aren't a concern for the climb itself, but the surrounding park has restrooms and water fountains near Maison Smith and Beaver Lake, plus food service at the Chalet du Mont-Royal in season. The descent is fast and technical through switchbacks shared with drivers (when the road is open to them) and other cyclists - keep your speed in check and hands near the brakes, especially around the alternating one-way section and speed bumps near the narrowest part of the road.
Before heading out on any cycling adventure check out our Things to Bring on a Cycling Trip and use our interactive check list to ensure you don't forget anything.
Montreal's Plateau and Mile End neighborhoods sit just east of the base, so this climb is an easy add-on to a city visit - ride up from downtown or the Plateau, loop the park a couple of times, and be back at a cafe within the hour.
If you're visiting during the last week of September 2026, plan around the UCI Road World Championships (September 20-27): most of Mount Royal's roads close to vehicles for racing and setup between September 4 and October 4, and race days draw large crowds, but it's also the best possible week to watch elite riders tackle this exact climb in person.
Outside of race week, the climb is rideable year-round, though Montreal winters bring snow and ice to the park roads from roughly November through March, so check conditions before heading up in the cold months. The park's separate bike paths offer an easy warm-up loop if you want extra miles without repeating the climb itself.
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vincr
This is a nice short climb in the heart of the city of Montreal. For Montrealers, it’s the must-do climb for anyone cycling in the city. At any time, you’ll find several cyclists climbing it. Professional cyclists climb it around 15 times each year in mid-September during the Grand prix cyclist de Montréal
The first 350 m are at 8% and then you have a 300 m of break at 4 %. Then the last part (900m) is at 8%-9%. At the top of the climb, you have one of the best spot in Montreal to see the sunset.
The road is usually closed for cars every Sunday morning during summer time. During the rest of the week, the shoulder is big enough (except for a small portion of a few metres at the end, which is narrow). Nevertheless, be careful with cars, there are a lot of tourists driving around and doing illegal U-turns.
The ride is part of a loop that takes you on a roughly 9-kilometre ride around Mount Royal with several other climbs. For the path, google Circuit Pro tour Mont Royal.
