To reach the top of Montmorency Falls near Quebec City on foot, you must climb exactly 487 steps on a massive wooden panoramic staircase. This staircase is built into the side of the cliff, offering increasingly dramatic views of the 83-meter-high waterfall—which is 30 meters taller than Niagara Falls—as you ascend. The climb is physically demanding but features several landings where visitors can stop to catch their breath and take photos of the St. Lawrence River and Île d'Orléans. For those who want the view without the workout, a cable car (funicular) is available to whisk passengers from the base to the Manoir Montmorency at the top. Once at the summit, a suspension bridge crosses directly over the crest of the falls, providing a heart-pounding perspective of the water plummeting into the basin below. The stairs are typically open from spring through late autumn, though they may close during the icy winter months for safety.