Winter activities survey

Have you visited this site this winter? Take our survey about winter activities on NCC sites and tell us about your experience.

In winter, part of the Capital Pathway transforms into a growing network of multi-use winter trails. Over 100 km of free-to-access trails are groomed for shared recreational activities such as cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat biking and hiking.

Maintaining these trails requires a lot of work, which is done though community partnerships. Remember to share the path and follow winter trail etiquette, including not walking on ski tracks.

Animal regulations

  • Dogs are allowed on most of the following trails, but must be kept on a leash.
  • Skiing or cycling with your dog is not allowed.

Shared winter trail network in Ottawa

In Ottawa, there is a growing network of groomed, multi-use winter trails to enjoy. These trails wouldn’t exist without the hard work of the Urban Winter Trails Alliance and their community volunteers.

Groomed multi-use trail at Westboro beach.

Kìchì Sìbì Winter Trail

Runs along the Ottawa River, from Westboro Beach to the Portage Bridge.

  • Transit: Bayview/O-Train, Kìchì Sìbì and Pimisi stations
  • Parking: Westboro Beach, Champlain parking lot (by Champlain Bridge), Remic Rapids Park and the Canadian War Museum ($)
  • Kìchì Sìbì Winter Trail website
Ottawa West Winter Trail

Ottawa West Winter Trail

Shirleys Bay sector of the Greenbelt, on the Watts Creek Pathway and the Greenbelt Pathway West, as well as side loops.

  • 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 P1 and P3
  • Ottawa West Winter Trail website

Important: Although dogs and bikes are welcome on this multi-use winter trail, they are not allowed on nearby Trail 12, also maintained by the Kanata Nordic Ski Club.

Britannia Winter Trail

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

Rideau Winter Trail

A new section is being piloted from Bank Street through Vincent Massey Park, along the eastern side of the Rideau River, from North River Road to Bank Street.

Ski Heritage East Trail at the NCC River House.

Ski Heritage East Trail

In the east end of Ottawa, along the Ottawa River, from the NCC River House to Tweddle Road, and on the Greenbelt Pathway East, up to the connection with the Orleans Nordic Ski Club Winter Trail.

Orleans Winter Trail

Orleans Nordic Ski Club Winter Trail

On the Greenbelt Pathway East, from Tauvette Street to the connection with the Ski Heritage East Winter Trail, on Trail 45 at Pine Grove and Trail 51 at Mer Bleue.

    Important: Although dogs and bikes are welcome on this multi-use winter trail, they are not allowed on other connecting trails also maintained by the Orleans Nordic Ski Club, including Trails 45, 51, 61 and 63.

    Shared winter trail network in Gatineau

    Leamy Lake and surroundings 

    In Gatineau, there are groomed, multi-use winter trails to enjoy from Leamy Lake to Gatineau Park. This offering is made 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

    Sentier Blanc Val-Tétreau

    Runs along the Ottawa River, from Brébeuf Park to Golf Château Cartier.