During winter, part of the Capital Pathway transforms into a network of multi-use winter trails. Over 100 kilometres of trails are groomed for shared winter recreational activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking and walking. Access to these trails is free.
Naturally, a winter trail in an urban setting degrades very quickly. Maintaining the trails requires a lot of work and care. Trail grooming is done though community partnerships.
Remember to share the path and follow winter trail etiquette.
Animal regulations
- Dogs are allowed on most of the following trails, but must be kept on a leash.
- Dogs are not allowed on the sections of the network that use Greenbelt trails 12, 45, 50, 51, 61 and 63.
- Skiing, skating or cycling with your dog is not allowed.
Winter trail network in Ottawa
In Ottawa, there are close to 100 km of groomed winter trails to enjoy. This winter offering is possible through a partnership with the Urban Winter Trails Alliance, and thanks to their community volunteers. For the following trails, the number of kilometres indicates trail length.
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 ($)
Ottawa West Winter Trail
14 km in the Greenbelt, Shirleys Bay Corkstown Road Loop - Trail 12.
- Transit: OC Transpo provides connections within walking distance of Wesley Clover Parks (approximately 15 minutes) at the junction of Highway 417 and Moodie Drive. Use their online planner to create your itinerary.
- Parking: Greenbelt P3
- Ottawa West Winter Trail website
Britannia Winter Trail Association
16 km near Mud Lake, from Andrew Haydon Park to Woodroffe Avenue near Kichi Zībī Mīkan.
- Transit: OC Transpo provides direct access to the trail at the Ron Kolbus Lakeside Centre, in Britannia, and connections within walking distance of Andrew Haydon Park, on Carling Avenue. Use their online planner to create your itinerary.
- Parking: Britannia Park, Deschênes Rapids and Andrew Haydon Park parking lots
- Britannia Winter Trail website
Rideau Winter Trail
12 km along the eastern side of the Rideau River, from North River Road to Bank Street.
- Transit: Hurdman Station, and OC Transpo provides direct access to the trail. Use their online planner to create your itinerary.
- Parking: Information on the Rideau Winter Trail website.
- Rideau Winter Trail website
Ski Heritage East
24 km in the east end of Ottawa to downtown, along the Ottawa River, from the NCC River House to Trim Road.
- Transit: OC Transpo provides connections within walking distance of the trail at Trim Road. Use their online planner to create your itinerary.
- Parking: P3, P4, Aviation Museum ($), 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