Ottawa River Pathway
- Good for Kids:
- Yes
4 reviews for Ottawa River Pathway
4 reviews in English
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Review from Darren M.
Ottawa, ON
12/13/2010
If you're a runner and if you haven't tried this trail you'll love it.
It is hands down my favourite trail in the spring and summer for training. The view is awesome, there are several kilometres of paved with grass as an option if you want to run on it instead and there are mild elevation differences.
Behind Parliament is probably the best part although you'll want to watch where you walk, run or cycle as there are a fair number of geese ... droppings. From there to Westboro Beach you'll go up and then down and up again while the trail hugs the shore of the Ottawa River.
One challenge on this trail is the fall or spring when the wind is stronger -- it is a fairly open area and can be quite cool. That's why this path is better in the summer though because you'll cool down with the breeze and water right next to you.
I'd recommend this walk, cycle or run over the Rideau Canal pathway (which itself is quite nice too!). -
Review from Jana D.
Ottawa, ON
This is a great little escape for the government workers in Tunney's pasture, to break away from their computers for a few minutes of fresh air and R&R while they come outside for lunch or a walk or bike ride along the river.
Be careful of the goose droppings on the grass, though. The cyclists using this path would rather the pedestrians walked on the grass, and the walkers would prefer if the cyclists used the grass! All of us are avoiding the droppings left by the Canada Geese that frequent this area.
Also, look for the man who builds Inukshuk (if I've spelled that right?) For many years now, a man has been building amazing statues out of the rocks at the shoreline - they rocks balance on each other at seemingly impossible angles, threatening to drop at any moment, but seem to keep their balance! There was an article about him several years ago in the Canadian Geographic. It's been a pleasure to watch him work, and he's become something of a tourist attraction. It's May now, and I haven't seen him there yet this year, but maybe the water's too cold yet. Maybe he begins this work after the Victoria Day weekend. -
Review from Amanda B.
Ottawa, ON
12/13/2010
The pathway by the Ottawa River is one of those places where you can take a calm and scenic stroll, aside from some of the goose poop. You can walk, run, or bike - it's popular for doing all of those things, though cyclists seem to love it a lot more.
The pathway is quite long, but those of you that either can't or simply don't want to walk very far, there are a bunch of benches on the way, so don't be intimated. It's right by the water and there are many plants and trees, including especially vibrant flowers in the spring. Because of it's location, though, it can also get pretty chilly at night and the mosquitoes may or may not eat you alive.
Even if it's patrolled, like any other pathway, so be careful at night and any time you're by yourself when it's dark and late. -
Review from Nicole B.
Ottawa, ON
12/11/2010 2 photos
One of my favorite things about Ottawa is all the green space that we have. Furthermore, we have so many choices of trails and pathways to bike, run, walk and even ski on!
We have 30 KM of the Trans Canada Trail going along the river here in Ottawa, starting right at St Patrick and the Vanier Parkway. Since the St Patrick and Vanier intersection is just blocks away from me, I often walk on the path, or use it to get to Vanier when I am visiting friends.
It is so nice to walk along the river and the path isn't usually very busy. I especially enjoy walking along here during then day when the sun is out and I have the path to myself when everyone is at work. I mostly walk, but the path would be handy for those commuting along the river.
Be careful to go with a friend or avoid the pathway at night as there have been some incidents.
