December 1 to April 15: For conservation reasons, dogs are not allowed on any of the natural Greenbelt trails in the winter. They are allowed only on the multi-use pathways and in off-leash dog areas (Bruce Pit and Conroy Pit).
The Greenbelt comprises 20,000 hectares of green space, including farms, forests and wetlands. It was created in the 1950s to protect the rural land bordering the Capital from urban sprawl. It has since become the largest publicly owned greenbelt in the world. Most of the Greenbelt (14,950 hectares) is owned by the NCC.
The Greenbelt protects natural areas like forests, wetlands, streams and sand dunes that sustain biodiversity. The natural areas in the Greenbelt support human and ecological health in the National Capital Region.
Featured
Advisory
Please take note of the following before your visit.
- Dewberry Trail: Closure of Eastern Loop
- Closure of the Sarsaparilla Trail lookout
- Closure of a section of Trail 51 in the Mer Bleue sector
- Closure of a section of Trail 31 in the Pinhey Forest sector
- Closure of a section of Jack Pine Trail in the Stony Swamp sector
- Closure of Arboretum Loop on Trail 43 in Pine Grove until further notice
- Section of Trail 44 in Pine Grove closed until further notice
- Section of Old Quarry Trail closed until further notice
Visitor Information
Winter activities
Places to visit
The National Capital Greenbelt is a horseshoe-shaped green space stretching from west to east just south of Ottawa’s urban core, with both extremities on the shores of the Ottawa River. The Greenbelt is divided into six main sectors, each with unique land features.
Learn more about the Greenbelt
Summer activities
