The canal may not be open for Winterlude but our winter trail system across the city is available to all cross-country skiers, snowshoers, fat tire bikers and walkers. This includes our own Bay Ward Britannia Winter Trail and Ottawa West Winter Trail. These are both volunteer driven features in our community. Please consider giving them your support!
During winter, part of the national Capital Pathway transforms into a network of multi-use winter trails. Over 100 kilometres of trails are groomed by Urban Winter Trails Alliance (UWTA).
Kichi Sibi Winter Trail
18 km along the Ottawa River, from Westboro Beach to the Portage Bridge.
- Transit: Bayview/O-Train, Kichi Sibi and Pimisi stations
- Parking: Champlain parking lot (by Champlain Bridge), Remic Rapids Park and the Canadian War Museum ($)
- Kichi Sibi Winter Trail website
Ottawa West Winter Trail
14 km in the Greenbelt, Shirleys Bay Corkstown Road Loop – Trail 12.
- Transit: OC Transpo provides connections within walking distance of Wesley Clover Parks (approximately 15 minutes) at the junction of Highway 417 and Moodie Drive. Use their online planner to create your itinerary.
- Parking: Greenbelt P3
- Ottawa West Winter Trail website
Britannia Winter Trail Association
16 km near Mud Lake, from Andrew Haydon Park to Woodroffe Avenue near Kichi Zībī Mīkan.
- Transit: OC Transpo provides direct access to the trail at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre, in Britannia, and connections within walking distance of Andrew Haydon Park, on Carling Avenue. Use their online planner to create your itinerary.
- Parking: Britannia Park, Deschênes Rapids and Andrew Haydon Park parking lots
- Britannia Winter Trail website
Rideau Winter Trail
12 km along the eastern side of the Rideau River, from North River Road to Bank Street.
- Transit: Hurdman Station, and OC Transpo provides direct access to the trail. Use their online planner to create your itinerary.
- Parking: Information on the Rideau Winter Trail website.
- Rideau Winter Trail website
Ski Heritage East
24 km in the east end of Ottawa to downtown, along the Ottawa River, from the NCC River House to Trim Road.
- Transit: OC Transpo provides connections within walking distance of the trail at Trim Road. Use their online planner to create your itinerary.
- Parking: P3, P4, Aviation Museum ($), P7, Greenbelt P27 and various street parking
- Ski Heritage East website
Orleans Ski Club
22 km in the Green’s Creek sector of the Greenbelt, including a segment of the pathway and trails 61 and 63; the Mer Bleue sector, including trail 51 (west of Anderson Road); and the Pine Grove sector, including trail 45.
- Parking: P19 for the Pine Grove trails, P20 for the Mer Bleue sector, P26 for the Green’s Creek sector
Winter trail network in Gatineau
In Gatineau, there are 15 km of groomed winter trails to enjoy from Leamy Lake to Gatineau Park. This winter offering is possible through a partnership with the Ville de Gatineau and the Centre de plein air du Lac-Leamy.
- Transit: STO provides connections within walking distance of the Centre de plein air du Lac-Leamy. Use their online planner to create your itinerary.
- Parking: Free parking at the Centre de plein air du Lac-Leamy