Wheels down: A guide to the best bike paths in Ottawa and Gatineau

Cycling gurus in the National Capital region aren’t fretting about the construction headaches of the light rapid transit facelift. 

There’s sweet solace for those travelling the well-groomed paths on two wheels: too many comfortable, casual routes to mention. 

For the serious-minded, the challenge is conquering the Gatineau Park roads to Pink Lake, Meech Lake, the Mackenzie King Estate and Champlain Lookout, where the hills are alive with the sounds of groaning and shifting gears. 

For those seeking a peaceful, easy feeling while taking in the scenery, the following National Capital Commission paths provide handy pit stops to eat, drink and explore.

All around the Rideau Canal

What better way to embrace Ottawa than by retracing the route of the iconic Rideau Canal Skateway? The 20-kilometre urban trek loops around both sides of the waterway and cuts through the heart of the city. Begin at the National Arts Centre in the shadows of Parliament Hill and weave past Lansdowne Park, the Arboretum, Mooney’s Bay, Hog’s Back Falls and Vincent Massey Park, where a downward slope through a tree canopy offers relief from pedalling.  

The path showcases views of both the University of Ottawa and Carleton University. Roll your bike across Hartwell’s Locks, a signature piece of the Canal system, which carries boats all the way to Kingston.  

A note of caution here: The multi-purpose trail can be busy with both cyclists and joggers, and respecting the 20 km/hr speed limit is prudent. 

Embassy Row and Aviation Museum

Bolster your cycling experience with pomp, circumstance and a taste of history. Start from the 200-year-old Byward Market district and pedal northeast on Sussex Drive past the National Art Gallery of Canada, international embassies and the leafy Rockliffe Park. A side trip through Rideau Hall and the expansive grounds of the Governor General’s residence is recommended. Staying on the bike trail yields stunning views of the Ottawa River as the city sounds gradually fade away. The round-trip route past the Musical Ride Centre to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum is 15 kilometres. 

Pro tip: If you decide to visit inside the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, CAA Members save 25 per cent on single admission tickets. 

For a closer view of the Ottawa River headed east, extend the stay on the Aviation Pathway for the gravel stretch. On the way back towards the ByMarket, reward yourself with a swim at the Ottawa River House, the NCC’s classy tribute to a bygone era. 

Voyageurs Parkway to Parc des Cèdres 

After crossing Quebec at the Champlain Bridge, the winding and mostly flat trek west along the Ottawa River is a treat for nature lovers. Trees shelter cyclists on both sides of the pathway, which is home to 300 species of migrating and breeding birds. There are plenty of lookouts for birds and parks perfect for a picnic. Midway through the ride, cyclists are presented with a close-up look at the power of the Deschênes Rapids and a wooden bridge over protected areas.  

The route heads slightly north and bisects an Aylmer neighbourhood before turning sharply again towards the Aylmer marina and the Parc des Cèdres beach. The buildings of West Ottawa lie directly across the river. The round-trip distance from bridge to beach to bridge is 20 kilometres. 

Westboro Beach and the four bridge experience

Cyclists heading east into Ottawa along the Ottawa River off the Kichi Zībi Mikan Parkway have finally been rewarded for their patience. Westboro Beach now includes a modern pavilion and trails with no awkward detours through neighbourhoods away from the river. Criss-crossing the interprovincial bridges from Ottawa to Gatineau — Champlain, Chief William Commanda (a delightful refurbishment of an old rail bridge), Portage and Alexandria.  

A couple of testy climbs await on the Quebec side, but that’s offset by the glide downhill to the Canadian Museum of History, where Parliament Hill looms directly across the river. Be sure to check out Kiweki Point near the National Gallery of Canada on the Ottawa side of the Alexandria Bridge. 

Lac Leamy Loop

The route begins on Brewery Creek at Théâtre d’Île off Gatineau’s Alexandre-Taché Boulevard and features graffiti-covered tunnels running under highways. It might also be considered an introduction to the Gatineau Hills, considering the modest climbs. The pathway circles the Lac Lemay Park and runs briefly through a forest before re-emerging to skirt next to Fournier Boulevard. Historians might want to take a peek at the quaint La Maison du Vélo. After the course turns sharply west to a park, it yields a view of the Rideau Falls.  

Stay on the Voyageurs Pathway after cycling through Parc Jacques Cartier and the route circles under the Canadian Museum of History for another gander at Parliament Hill. The path reconnects with Alexandre Taché near the Portage Bridge. It’s a 15-kilometre ride, but it feels like a bit more due to the changing elevations along the route. 

Did you know? Your CAA Membership includes Bike Assist, providing the same year-round coverage that comes with vehicle roadside assistance.