Fall biking in Ottawa: Colour us impressed

At the risk of spoiling the secret, cyclists in the National Capital Region have long recognized that the best way to see Ottawa is on a bike. 

The ideal time to take advantage of all the sights and sounds is late summer and early fall, when the humidity fades, downtown crowds dwindle, and the colours bloom. 

Indeed, the kaleidoscope of red and oranges on the trees, especially in the Gatineau Hills to the north, is a circus for the eyes. 

Now, there’s an additional bonus for those two-wheeling around the centrepiece of Parliament Hill. 

After years of major construction projects that resulted in many awkward and often dangerous detours, smooth cycling and pedestrian pathways are back in place around many of the most popular destinations. 

Locks and loaded 

There’s no need to get off the bike or dodge car traffic for the leisurely 10-minute trek east from the Portage Bridge to the infamous Ottawa Locks.  

The route runs below the Parliament Buildings along the Ottawa River, offering a brilliant view of the Canadian Museum of Nature and Gatineau Hills on the Quebec side. It’s the same sight pictured on the back of Canada’s old $1 bill, which paid tribute to Baytown’s old logging history.  

Once at the Locks, which connect the Ottawa and Rideau Rivers, viewers can look up at the infamous Château Laurier hotel to the east and at the west side of Parliament. 

The pathway re-opened in July after being closed since 2022 due to upgrades on the escarpment behind the Supreme Court of Canada, the modernization of energy systems for 50 buildings in the Parliamentary district and the construction of Thunderhead, a 2SLGBTQ+ monument near the Portage Bridge. The National Capital Commission, which manages the pathway, has also added a swimming hole, of sorts: The East Wharf Swimming Dock. 

The point of the matter 

From the Locks, it’s only a short ride to Kiweki Point, which offers a postcard-perfect panoramic view. A warning should be attached here. It’s an especially steep climb, which might mean walking the bike up towards the National Art Gallery. Rest assured, it’s well worth the effort.  

Opened in 2025, the $45 million renovation of the former Nepean Point, just east of the Alexandria Bridge, offers a modern, cycling- and pedestrian-friendly design.  

The Pìdàban Pedestrian Bridge — again, no vehicular traffic here — links visitors coming from Major Hill’s Park. Look east and west from the River Walk Esplanade at the expanse of the Ottawa River and the bridges connecting Ontario and Quebec.  

The rich hues of the Gatineau Hills greet those looking north. On-site statues of Samuel de Champlain and Kichi Sibi Innini pay tribute to Canadian history. A friendly eating tip: A picnic lunch at Whispering Point offers an ideal spot for reflection. 

Looking ahead at the Lady Grey Promenade

Northeast of the infamous ByWard Market and Sussex Drive past the National Art Gallery, the NCC is midway through an ambitious project to construct the Lady Grey Wall and Escarpment. It’s a venture to add lustre to a long-forgotten part of the city, opening up access to another stretch of the Ottawa River. The area along Embassy Row includes buildings housing the British High Commission, the National Research Council, the Embassy of France, and the Ottawa Rowing Club.  

Phase Two of the project, expected to start in 2027, will also create better opportunities for cyclists, boaters and pedestrians to view the power of the Rideau Falls. 

Reading the scene 

Cyclists venturing west from the Portage Bridge can now stay safe on repaved pathways all the way to the LeBreton Flats district and beyond.  

For those with an eye for modern architecture, Adisoke, the new $352 million Ottawa Public Library and Public Archives structure, takes over the scene, adding unique lines and angles to a landscape otherwise marked primarily by standard rectangular condo towers. Adisoke is scheduled to open in 2027.  

Near the foot of the library, the fast-flowing water at the Fleet Street Pumphouse is home to a tricky kayak obstacle course, a hidden gem. Perhaps one day, an arena on Lebreton Flats will be constructed, becoming the new locale for the National Hockey League’s Ottawa Senators.  

For a far less expensive construction project, cycle a further 10-15 minutes west and check out the Remic Rapids Balanced Rock Sculpture Project. Since 1986, it has been a daily labour of love for artist John Felice Ceprano, who has used on-site rocks to construct statues in the shallow waters of the Ottawa River. It allows for peaceful, easy feelings, with the colours of Gatineau looming to the north and the skyscrapers of downtown Ottawa to the east. 

Plan on cycling this fall?  

CAA Members can take advantage of Mobile Bike Service until September 30, 2026, to keep their bikes in top shape, and Bike Assist for support if they run into trouble along the way.