Rideau River – Park Trail

Length –   13 + 5 km (one way)

95% park path
5% road crossings, detours

Elevation – Flat, undulating path follows the river; a few short climbs to street level

Terrain – All paved, wide trail, bridges and dam crossings

Skill – Easy

Maps – Map boards, trail markers

Traffic – Typical city path users, busy on sunny weekends

Facilities –  Parking lot, toilets, snack bar, benches, picnic tables, rain shelters, playgrounds, beach; food and lodging are readily available near the path

Highlights – Three waterfalls, dams, beach, quiet getaway

Trail Fee – Free

Phone – 613 239 5000

Website – NCC – Capital Pathways

Similar Trails –  Rideau Canal, Upper Ottawa River, Cornwall Waterfront  

Local Clubs –  Ottawa Bicycle Club

Access – Many entry points on the route. Parking lots at these city parks along the route – Rideau Falls, New Edinburgh, Riverain, Vincent Massey,  Hog’s Back and Mooney’s Bay.

A big thanks to my friend Phil Meadows for taking pictures of this trail on a sunny day to replace my overcast pics.

Ottawa’s Rideau River Park trail is a 13 km long winding path that follows this historic waterway through parklands, beside rapids, and past raging falls. It’s one of the best cycling pleasures in the city.

Located in the heart of town, this paved path offers a tranquil escape that at times is removed from the sights and sounds of the busy city. It’s a lovely mix of open, sunny parkland cycling interspersed with shady, treed woodlots. 

The main route runs along the east banks of the Rideau River, with an optional west-bank ride in the middle section, a thin strip of greenway 5 km long.

The pedestrian Adawe bridge gets you across to the western section on the north end and the Bank St. road bridge on the south end brings you back.

The highlights of this ride are three waterfalls. Just beyond where the pathway ends at Sussex Drive, the Rideau River spills over in two places into the Ottawa River. You are free to cycle across the dams spanning this impressive pair of falls – highly recommended. 

On the south end of this trail are the spectacular…

Read the rest of this review and 59 others in my NEW book, Volume 2 of Best Bicycle Park & Rail Trails in Ontario.