You're missing out if you're not exploring around Ottawa! Check out these day trips from Ottawa for inspiration.
University of Ottawa
Hôtel Lord Elgin Ottawa (Ontario, Canada)
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Skating the Rideau Canal in Ottawa is a fun, free winter activity. Its 7.8 km one way so great exercise. You can rent skates & eat beavertails
Go beyond the Parliament Buildings and Byward Market, this city guide shows you exciting things to do in Ottawa beyond the usual lists.
Ah, caffeine...the staff of life for many of us. If you find yourself yearning for some java in Ottawa, look no further than these great cafés.
My tips for things to do in Ottawa, Canada's capital city.
Russ Jackson circa 1969
Jacobs Home, end of W. Prospect Ave, Ottawa, IL
[caption id="attachment_155535" align="aligncenter" width="2048"] National Capital Commission[/caption]The Ottawa Valley area is a hiking paradise where beautiful hiking trails are located just minutes away from the Ottawa city centre. Set out for a hike for some fresh air and a chance of scenery on some easy to moderate trails that will get you moving and allow you to see some of the most incredible vistas in the Ottawa region. (Gatineau Park Trails including Lusk cave and waterfall hike are not included)Pinhey Forest Trails[adinserter block="2"][adinserter block="15"]The Pinhey Forest Trails run through the Pinhey Forest, a place with a remarkable 10,000-year-old sand dune ecosystem. The trails run for 6.4 kilometers and are best trekked from April to October with its classic, natural forest setting.Where: Pinhey ForestDifficulty: EasyPlan Your TripDirectionsDewberry TrailThis little 1-kilometere path runs through boreal forest and is close to downtown Ottawa. For those who are looking for something nearby for a short time out in nature, the Dewberry Trail is ideal.Where: Dolman Ridge Rd.Difficulty: Easy-Moderatehttps://www.instagram.com/p/BoFNs1yhYqt/Plan Your TripDirectionsStony Swamp LoopLocated in Stony Swamp, this loop takes hikers through some of the most ecologically diverse landscapes in the Ottawa Valley. With over 700 species of plants and plenty of animal species, this 4-mile loop is for those who want to check out the flora and fauna of the area.Where: Stony SwampDifficulty: Easyhttps://www.instagram.com/p/B-Ijd2QFNVL/Plan Your TripDirectionsMer Bleue Conservation Area Loop Trail[adinserter block="6"][adinserter block="15"]This 7-kilometer loop trail is a moderately difficult forest trail that is dog-friendly and runs through the famous Mer Bleue Conservation Area. This northern boreal landscape is just minutes from Ottawa but acts as a habitat for rare wildlife populations.Where: Mer Bleue Conservation AreaDifficulty: Moderatehttps://www.instagram.com/p/BUDh99iA_dJ/Plan Your TripDirectionsOld Quarry TrailDivided into two loops, a medium 2-kilometre one and a long nearly 3-kilometre one, this relaxed hiking trail offers interpretation panels along the trail so hikers can learn about the geological history of the region.Where: Eagleson Rd, KanataDifficulty: Easyhttps://www.instagram.com/p/ByxyH4ZgRfC/Plan Your TripDirectionsSarsaparilla TrailThis short, under-1km trail is a highly accessible trail that includes a dock overlooking a beaver pond. The Sarsaparilla Trail is likely the shortest of all the Greenbelt Trails, and passes by beautiful, down-to-earth scenery.Where: Old Richmond Rd, NepeanDifficulty: EasyPlan Your TripDirectionsPine Grove TrailLocated in Pine Grove in southern Ottawa, this forest and its trails are particularly suitable for outdoor enthusiasts and those looking for places to hike and take photographs of. Expect Eastern Ontario forests that have a historical past.Where: Pine Grove ForestDifficulty: Easyhttps://www.instagram.com/p/B4A3gb1p5To/Plan Your TripDirectionsEarth Star LoopThe Earth Star Loop is named after the curious earth star mushroom found in the late summer near the trail. The loop passes many different landscapes such as cedar woods, red pine plantation, mature woods, and open meadows.Where: Rideau TrailDifficulty: Easy-Moderatehttps://www.instagram.com/p/BYWf6LJjkew/Plan Your TripTrail 5353ALocated in the Mer Bleue Conservation Area, Trail 5353A is a lengthy 6.7 kilometers that showcases rare flora and fauna in the area along a wide trail.Where: Mer Bleue Conservation AreaDifficulty: ModeratePlan Your TripDirectionsOttawa Carleton Trailway - Trans Canada Section[adinserter block="4"][adinserter block="15"]The Ottawa Carleton Trailway is a 16-kilometre trail with pleasant scenery and gentle grades for a warm hike through a primarily urban environment.Where: Trans Canada TrailDifficulty: Easy-ModeratePlan Your TripDirectionsMerrickville – Rideau TrailThis section of the Rideau Trail is located primarily in Merrickville, a place dubbed Canada’s Most Beautiful Village that has Victorian heritage buildings and is located by the Rideau Canal. The trail celebrates a rural area with many natural attractions.Where: Rideau Trail Wood Road – Grenville StreetDifficulty: Easy-ModeratePlan Your TripDirectionsTrail 50-52Located at the Mer Bleue Conservation Area like many of the trails on this list, trail 50-52 runs through one of the largest bogs in the whole of Southern Ontario. It displays much of the northern ecosystem and wetlands that define the conservation area.Where: Mer Bleue Conservation AreaDifficulty: ModeratePlan Your TripDirectionsAviation PathwayThis 5-kilometre pathway is known for having the Canada Aviation Museum located on the pathway, hence its name. Passing through wooded and open areas, this relatively flat hike is scenic and suitable for all skill levels.Where: Aviation Parkway, VanierDifficulty: Easy-Moderatehttps://www.instagram.com/p/Bk5oYzYjCsb/Plan Your TripDirectionsChapman Mills TrailChapman Mills Trail is located in a 23-acre area of conservation land by the Rideau River. The trail has many walkways and boardwalks that lead hikers through stunning habitats and past interpretive signs for learning.Where: Chapman Mills Conservation Area, 253 Winding Way, NepeanDifficulty: Easyhttps://www.instagram.com/p/B_c-k1jF1Pi/Plan Your TripDirectionsBeaver & Chipmunk TrailsThis 2.6-kilometer trail is a friendly trail with a picnic area, boardwalk, and lots of birds and chipmunks that accompany you along your way. The short and easy trail is greatly accessible and is perfect for a quick walk out in nature.Where: Moodie Dr, NepeanDifficulty: Easy-ModeratePlan Your TripDirectionsBill Holland TrailThe Bill Holland Trail is located by the Ottawa River and has plenty to see on the way, with a viewing platform, inland ponds, blooming wildflowers, turtle nesting areas, and a sandy shoreline.Where: Ottawa RiverDifficulty: Easy-ModeratePlan Your TripDirectionsBasswood Trail[adinserter block="1"][adinserter block="15"]Starting at the Crappie Bay canoe launch, the Basswood Trail is populated with maple, ash, and basswood trees for a beautiful short hike past trees and views of the Ottawa River.Where: Ottawa RiverDifficulty: EasyPlan Your TripDirectionsExperimental Farm Pathway TrailThe Experimental Farm Pathway Trail is home to the Canada Agriculture Museum, a leisurely hike that is relaxing and includes some calming scenery such as fields and barns.Where: Runs through NepeanDifficulty: Easy-ModeratePlan Your TripDirectionsFallowfield SectionThe Fallowfield Section of the Rideau Trail passes through rural landscape like Monaghan Creek and busy farmland.Where: Fallowfield, Rideau TrailDifficulty: Easy-ModeratePlan Your TripDirectionsConroy Pit LoopThe Conroy Pit Loop is a 3.2-mile loop near Ottawa’s centre, featuring wildflowers and an off-leash dog park.Where: Conroy RdDifficulty: EasyPlan Your TripDirectionsJack Pine TrailThe Jack Pine Trail has over 560 native plant species and a whole bunch of wildlife, including tons of bird species like blue jays and finches. The route is comfortable and perfect for those who enjoy a bit of exploration.Where: Moodie Dr, NepeanDifficulty: Easy-Moderatehttps://www.instagram.com/p/BmRvZV1Apn9/Plan Your TripDirectionsNew York Central Fitness TrailThe New York Central Fitness Trail runs 10-kilometers between the villages of Embrun and Russell. This completely flat, paved trail is named after the railway that ran between Ottawa and New York City in the early 1900s.Where: Runs between Embrun and RussellDifficulty: Easy-ModeratePlan Your TripDirectionsOttawa River Pathway[adinserter block="2"][adinserter block="15"]The Ottawa River Pathway is located in the city of Ottawa and is divided into an eastern and western section. It features gentle greenery and a river, and is perfect for wildlife watching and a quick getaway from the city.Where: Through OttawaDifficulty: Easy-ModeratePlan Your TripDirectionsShirley’s Bay Shoreline TrailThe Shirley’s Bay Shoreline Trail is 4 kilometers of trails that cross through young forests and fallow fields and provide a look at the Ottawa River. There is a picnic area and a public boat launch on the trail as well.Where: Shirley’s Bay, KanataDifficulty: Easy-ModeratePlan Your TripDirectionsViolet Loop - Rideau TrailViolet Loop is part of the Rideau Trail, and is a walking loop in the Marlborough Forest that is well-forested and features wetlands and pasture land.Where: Rideau Trail -County Road 6 west of North Gower and north of Burritts RapidsDifficulty: Easy-ModeratePlan Your Trip[pt_view id="2dd9a28yi0" tag="discover-ontario" limit=24]
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