20 Winter Hikes in Ottawa To Explore This Season

From hidden ruins, towering trees, and friendly little chickadees, there are plenty of wonderful spots for winter hikes in Ottawa this season. Here are some of the best Ottawa winter trails and special highlights you’ll find on each one.

Pine Grove 

The Pine Grove area has over 18km of trails to explore. This winter hike in Ottawa is popular for its towering pine trees that you can walk through. It’s a great spot to get some fresh air and take some unique photos. Pine Grove Trail (P18)  is one of the most popular routes for this forest. 

Pinhey Forest

• Trail 31 (2.6 km), P14, Easy
• Trail 32 (2.8 km) , P15, Easy

This is one of my favourite winter hikes in Ottawa. These greenbelt trails have towering trees and lots of evergreens. Head here on a frosty morning for an even better view. In the summer you’ll find the Pinhey Sand Dunes but in the winter it becomes hills of snow surrounded by evergreens. It’s a sensitive ecosystem so make sure to follow the path markers if you do reach the covered sand dunes. 

Stony Swamp Winter Trails in Ottawa

Stony Swamp is a network of over 40km of trails. This is a great option for a winter trail in Ottawa because if one is already packed you can easily hop over to another. Here’s a few highlight trails you’ll find within Stony Swamp:

Jack Pine Trail

• Trail 26, P9
• 3.1 km, Easy

This trail is a central point for many Stony Swamp trails. The great thing about these winter hikes in Ottawa is you can easily add on some extra distance and make the walk as long or short as you want. It is divided in three loops: short (0.7 km), medium (1.7 km) and long (2.3 km). You can hike, snowshow and cross country ski here. Keep in mind there are different paths for each activity and to follow the markers. I loved visiting this path in fall so can imagine it’s just as beautiful in the winter. You’ll find a boardwalk to take you through a marsh and lots of beautiful trees you can walk through. 

Quarry Trail

• Trail 21, P5
• 1.9km loop or 2.7km loop, Easy 

This is one of the most popular winter hikes in Ottawa. Choose between the medium loop (1.9 km) or long loop (2.7 km). On this trail you’ll find a boardwalk, woodlands, chickadees and more. Fun fact, this area was mountainous terrain one billion years ago. Now only the worn down roots of the ancient peaks remain. 

Sarsaparilla Trail

• Trail 22, P7
• 0.9 km, Easy

If you’re looking for winter hikes in Ottawa where you can spot some birds, you’ll want to try this greenbelt trail. Highlights of this trail include the boardwalk and friendly chickadees. If you’re lucky you may even spot an owl. If you like bird watching this is a great option for a winter hike in Ottawa.

Beaver Trail

• Trail 28, P8
• 1.2 km, Easy

Head through a winding boardwalk into this woodland trail. It’s another great spot for chickadees and great views. 

Lime Kiln Trail [Closed for Construction]

• Trail 25, P10
• 2.1 km, Easy

If you’re looking for unique winter hikes in Ottawa, check out this trail where you’ll find ruins along the way. I haven’t done this trail yet but it’s high on my list because of the ruins. Besides the ruins you’ll also find a beautiful tree lined path and may even meet some friendly chickadees. 

Mer Bleue (Orleans)

There’s over 21km of trails at Mer Bleue, making it a great destination for winter hikes in Ottawa. Mer Bleue is the largest big and natural area in the capital and the second-largest bog in southern Ontario. Here are some Ottawa winter hike highlights:

Mer Bleue Trail

This may be Ottawa’s most popular greenbelt trail. Enjoy a beautiful (and accessible) boardwalk and storytelling route. There’s plenty of other trail options to extend your trip here. 

Trail 53

• 6.7km, P21 or P22

 Choose this Ottawa winter hike if you’re looking for a Mer Bleue trail that is less crowded. This forest trail takes you up the sandy escarpment that overlooks the bog. 

Mud Lake 

Head here for winter hikes in Ottawa if you’re interested in trails and skating. Mud Lake is known as a spot to see wildlife. Feed a chickadee in your hand and admire the frozen lake beside it. Walk the loop and then go skating. More details about skating at Mud Lake in my Ottawa skating guide. 

Shirley’s Bay

Shirley’s Bay is another spot that you can enjoy walking and skating. Explore the shoreline trail for a beautiful view of the water and then go skating (more details in my Ottawa skating guide). You’ll catch beautiful views of the Ottawa River and Gatineau Hills. 

Mill of Kintail

• Hours: Monday to Friday 9am-3:30pm, Saturday-Sunday 10:30am-4:30pm. 

This is one of my favourite spots for a hike and you’ll find this winter hike near Ottawa. Mill of Kintail is a 152-acre conservation area in Almonte. You can catch some pretty incredible views like the one below in winter. My favourite view is looking along the stream at the Mill. From there I’ll take the trail directly along the water. Dogs are welcome here.

Downtown Ottawa Winter Trails

Go at a leisurely pace for these winter hikes in Ottawa and take in all the views downtown has to offer. Bonus, you’ll always be nearby a coffee shop where you can grab a warm drink. 

Rideau Canal

Skate or walk along this route in the capital. I’ll share when it’s ready for skating in my Ottawa skating guide. The Rideau Canal will take you from downtown all the way to Dow’s Lake. One of my favourite views along the way is the Love Locks Bridge at Somerset. With Elgin Street nearby you can grab a hot drink at a local cafe like Happy Goat or Ministry of Coffee for your journey. Starting in the Glebe? Heading to Little Victories. 

Dominion Arboretum

Stunning in every season, Dominion Arboretum will take you all the way from Dow’s Lake to Carleton University. The path will wind through trees beside the water allowing you to enjoy some wonderful views along the way. There’s also a big hill here that you can toboggan down. Once the Rideau Canal is open you can skate nearby on Dow’s Lake. 

Confederation Boulevard

Want some beautiful views in the center of downtown? This walk is for you. It’s one of my favourite circuits when I want to see the views quickly. Start at Confederation Park and make your way to Sparks Street. Walk to Bank Street and then take a right towards Parliament. From Parliament walk towards Major’s Hill Park. From there you can either walk to Gatineau, Byward Market or loop back to Elgin Street.  

Ottawa River Pathway

Walk down to the Ottawa Locks and take the Ottawa River Pathway behind Parliament. You’ll get a beautiful view of Gatineau across the water. You can even do a loop by heading to Portage Bridge and then taking Voyageurs Pathway to Alexandria Bridge. This will take you in front of the Canadian Museum of History and give you a view of Parliament from the Gatineau side.

Looking to catch a winter sunset or sunrise? Check out this post of 20 stunning spots for sunset in Ottawa.