Lower Ottawa R. – Park Trail

Length – 20 km

90% park path
10% road crossings, detours

Elevation – Flat along the water’s edge, short steep climb to get to the roadway above which is also a level route.

Terrain – Paved path, fine crushed stone on the 9km lower river route

Skill – Easy – Intermediate

Maps – Ample map boards and trail markers

Traffic – Not busy, typical path users – hikers, joggers, parts of this trail are used for Nordic skiing in the winter

Facilities –  Many parking lots, toilets (not many), benches, picnic tables, rain shelters. Surprisingly not very close to any food or drink.

Highlights – Views of the Ottawa River and Quebec shoreline, solitude, nature, lookouts.

Trail Fee – Free

Phone – 1 800 465 1867

Website – Nation Capital Commission

Similar Trails – Upper Ottawa River, Cornwall Waterfront, Greenway  

Local Clubs –  Ottawa Bike Club

Access –  Parking at Rideau Falls, in Rockcliffe Park, seven parking lots along Sir George Etienne Cartier Parkway. End of Orleans Blvd., Francois Dupont Park

The lower Ottawa River Pathway heading east out of the town of Ottawa is a long 20 km bicycle ride with many options on the route. This scenic and tranquil journey is a completely different cycling experience than the Upper Ottawa R. route I reviewed earlier.

Unlike that ride, this one is more rustic, a natural setting and hilly (for some) with fewer manicured parks or crowds. And much of it is not paved.

The section that is crushed fine gravel is the 9 km length running down along the water’s edge.  An easy spin on level ground if you have a hybrid or gravel bike with medium width tires.

For the skinny tire set, fear not there is a way to ride it all on the pavement, you just have to detour 5 kms on the road, the Sir George Etienne Cartier Parkway. There seems to be enough space on the paved shoulders and traffic is lite on this road.

Officially this off-road route starts on the west side on the Cartier Parkway at the roundabout meeting Rockcliffe & Princess. The road has a paved path running on both sides. Take either one, but eventually, it moves to the right side as a single path…then to the left.

You will pass Rockcliffe Park, lookout, and marina, ride around the bend where the route turns into the Aviation Pathway. When you see signs of…

Read the rest of this review in my new book, to be published this spring. Volume 2 of Park & Rail Trails. Get notified when, by joining our Newsletter.

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