The best trails around Ottawa to see the fall foliage
7 Minute Read
Summary
- Explore Ottawa’s top fall trails, including Gatineau Park’s Champlain and Pink Lake loops.
- Enjoy vibrant foliage at Mer Bleue Bog, Mud Lake, and Pinhey Forest Trail 31.
- Discover scenic lookouts like Eagle’s Nest, Rock Dunder, and Carbide Willson Ruins.
The geese are calling overhead, the leaves are falling, and the air feels cool and crisp. Autumn is here, and Ottawa is turning vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow.
Ottawa's fall foliage is so stunning that the NCC has given it its own name—Fall Rhapsody. The best way to see fall leaves in Ottawa in 2026 is to venture into the forest and be surrounded by towering trees as you hike. Whether you’re looking to get outside the city or hike in the heart of the National Capital Region, here are the top Ottawa fall hikes to see colourful leaves.
Mackenzie King Estate Waterfall and Lauriault Trails
Where: Gatineau Park, Chelsea, QC
Length: 4.5 km loop
This hike was the most beloved of Canada’s longest-serving prime minister, Mackenzie King himself. While the trail is rated “Difficult” by the NCC, it's worthwhile when you reach the lookout and the cascading falls. You can also wander the ruins on the estate for a dreamy fairy tale experience. With plenty of spots to rest, snap some pictures, and even have a picnic, this historic trail will cover you in a canopy of gold and crimson.
The Capital Pathway—Ottawa River Pathway
Where: Ottawa, ON
Length: 26.65 km
Although the Capital Pathway stretches across the city, the section along the Ottawa River is hard to beat. With the reopening of the Parliament Hill pathway in July 2026, you can walk this section of the trail in all its autumnal glory for the first time since 2022. The path is an easy promenade, perfect for wheelchair users, parents with strollers and cyclists alike to see Ottawa's changing leaves.
Mer Bleue Bog Trail
Where: Ottawa, ON
Length: 1.5 km loop
This ecological wonder is a vital part of Ottawa’s natural history, and it transforms into an eerie wonderland each fall. The grasses turn a yellow hue, the sparse trees change their apparel to become bright jewels dotting the landscape, and the water covering this wetland reflects it all, doubling the autumn beauty.
A boardwalk covers the length of the trail, making it accessible to strollers, walkers and some wheelchairs.
Champlain Trail
Where: Gatineau Park, Chelsea, QC
Length: 1.1 km loop
The Champlain Trail is home to one of Gatineau Park’s most famous fall lookouts. This short but memorable loop explores the summit of the Eardley Escarpment and leads you to panoramas overlooking the forests and fields of the Ottawa Valley. During peak autumn, the sweeping view bursts with colour as the hillsides transform into a quilt of red, orange and gold. Snap a picture sitting on the low stone wall at the top for an iconic autumn experience in the National Capital Region.
Mud Lake Loop
Where: Ottawa, ON
Length: 2.9 km loop
Mud Lake is a delicate ecosystem located in the Britannia Conservation Area. Spanning 60 hectares, this complex of wetlands is home to hundreds of bird species and dozens of rare plants, all within the deciduous swamp forest. In the fall, nature lovers will enjoy the mosaic of wildlife and bursts of fall colours reflected in the water. This hidden gem is your underrated fall destination in Ottawa.
Pinhey Forest Trail 31
Where: Ottawa, ON
Length: 2.3 km loop
Trail 31 in Pinhey Forest is a top pick for fall foliage, winding through a striking mix of red maple and mature coniferous forests. The well-maintained path leads hikers past vibrant autumn colours and the area’s unique and surprising inland dune, making it a local favourite for leaf peeping in September, October and November.
Pink Lake Trail
Where: Gatineau Park, Chelsea, QC
Length: 2.3 km loop
This deceptively named trail takes you around an emerald lake, providing a burst of colour in the park’s autumn tapestry. Elevated boardwalks and a lookout offer spectacular views of the changing forest canopy reflected in the water, and placards along the way reveal the lake’s rare ecology.
Pink Lake’s ecosystem is fragile, so keep in mind that pets are not permitted on the trail.
Rock Dunder Summit Loop
https://www.instagram.com/p/Cwptpd7PTjY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=b2tzZ29yMG9meXVm
Where: Lyndhurst, ON
Length: 3.9 km loop
The Rock Dunder Summit Loop is a lovely fall day trip from Ottawa, renowned for its dramatic lookout. You'll wind your way alongside the woodlands and rocky ridges of Dean's Island, at the end of which the panoramic sights of the lake below will reward you. Coniferous trees will frame your view of the stunning scarlet, gold and copper hues below.
Carbide Willson Ruins (Meech Lake Trail 36)
Where: Gatineau Park, Chelsea, QC
Length: 3.3 km out and back
Carbide Willson Ruins is an iconic spot in Gatineau Park, a favourite among city photographers for its spooky stone ruins, gaping windows, and eerie atmosphere. The ruins are situated on a bubbling stream through the woods, surrounded by the varied colours that attract amateur and professional shutterbugs alike.
Sentier du Belvédère (Trail #7) to the Lookout Tower
Where: Ripon, QC
Length: 4 km loop
Located approximately an hour from Ottawa, Trail #7 is the signature route in Parc des Montagnes Noires de Ripon, leading hikers steadily uphill through colourful forests to a 12-metre-high observation tower. At the summit, 360-degree views of the rolling hills, picturesque villages and a patchwork of autumn leaves stretch for miles, making this trail a must-visit for anyone seeking breathtaking vistas of the Petite-Nation region.
Hogs Back Falls Loop
Where: Ottawa, ON
Length: 1.4 km loop
Hog’s Back Falls is a towering cascade in the heart of Ottawa where the Rideau River tumbles over a rocky landscape. In autumn, the falls transform, turning everything from the brush clinging to the slopes to the surrounding forest into a golden display. You can walk along the bridge to see the falls from above or skirt the shoreline for a close-up view. After your hike, grab a table at the renovated heritage pavilion for a fall picnic.
Jack Pine Trail
Where: Ottawa, ON
Length: 2.3 km loop
Jack Pine Trail is a family-friendly loop, and the pathway is also a sight to behold in the fall. Tall pines tower over sections of fiery maple, and you should keep an eye out for busy chipmunks and chickadees preparing for the snow. With a mix of flat pathways and boardwalks through the wetlands, it’s an ideal spot to enjoy the changing colours in a peaceful forest setting.
Interpretation panels along the trail offer an educational experience, making this section of Stony Swamp particularly popular with young families.
Eagle's Nest Lookout
Where: Calabogie, ON
Length: 2.7 km loop
Eagle’s Nest Lookout is famous for its bird's-eye view from atop a dramatic cliff face. The trail takes you among pine trees and the rocky landscape of the Canadian Shield to the lookout point, where you’ll see sweeping vistas of red, orange and gold foliage in the valley below. This site is sacred to the Algonquin peoples of the area, so remember to be respectful when you hit the trail.
Princess Louise Falls
Where: Ottawa, ON
Length: 3.9 km out and back
This urban hike in Orléans is an easy walk to a scenic waterfall, perfect for snapping a picture or admiring its majestic beauty. The trail itself is great for families, with easy pathways through deciduous forest and wooden bridges over the tumbling stream. Along the way, you’ll spot brilliant scarlet and ochre leaves to complement the blue waters of the falls.
Equip yourself to explore with CAA
Whether you’re deep in the woods or on an urban trail, if you need gear, make sure to use your CAA Membership. Members earn CAA Dollars when shopping at Columbia Sportswear, L.L. Bean, Mountain Warehouse and Decathlon.
Sign up today for as low as $30 a year, or stop by your nearest CAA Store, such as CAA Ottawa.
As you plan your trip, keep in mind that each trail has its own rules. Check whether your hiking spot allows pets and any other environmental considerations to keep in mind. The changing seasons also mean that sections of some trails will close, so do your research in advance to avoid disappointment.
