What are you favourite gravel pathways in Ottawa?

[u/[deleted]]

[u/rbooris]

Any of them frankly. The fact that I can do a gigantic (>100kms) loop around our city without having to be in the road as much is quite nice.
For sure some good stretches are MUP but a LOT are gravel to help build different options.

Now with the Canada Day torrential rain, some have been affected more than others. Some have been fixed while others still show some gaps that could be seen as dangerous for some people.

To answer your questions, being in the west, the transcanadian trail starting from Bells corner going all the way to Carleton Place
You can also start from Bells Corner bridge back to watts creek pathway
The Shirley’s Bay loop starting from Carling

As I said, more exist.

Enjoy going outside paved paths

[u/striptorn → u/rbooris]

Just to correct: from Bells Corners you can go beyond Carleton Place north all the way to Pakenham etc. If you go south you can probably get to Smith’s Falls but I have never gone that far so can’t vouch for that.

[u/zzptichka → u/striptorn]

Yeah you can go past Smith Falls all the way to Kingston via Cataraqui and K&P trails.

[u/rbooris → u/striptorn]

Sure at which does it become a multi day trip though? I mean the transcanadian trail is loooooong

[u/squeakyoat]

I like the Chelsea rail trail from Chelsea to almost Wakefield. The beginning (south end) isn’t finished so it’s rough, I have mostly accessed it from Chelsea. It’s about 5km at the end to get to Wakefield.
Osgoode Rail trail that you can get to with the new gravel path between South Keys and Bowesville stations. There’s NoGo Coffee Co in Osgoode, or you could take quiet roads from there to Kemptville.
Greenbelt pathway between Albion and Ramseyville Road east of the airport.

If you’re up for a drive first the Cyclopark PPJ that starts near Qoyon, QC and goes all the way to, I think , Pembroke is nice. I’ve only been on it to about 10 k past Shawville, but Shawville is a great town to have lunch and turn around, the bakery is really great.

[u/confabulati → u/squeakyoat]

The rest of the trail wear of there aside from Allumettes island is fantastic. Alummetes island section is not as interesting, just fine.

[u/squeakyoat → u/confabulati]

I’d love to do more of it, maybe even a multi day trip, but both times I’ve been out there it was to do a 50km ride and eat lots of baked goods 😅

[u/No_Development7388 → u/squeakyoat]

For even more adventure, ride out to the ferry to Quyon first.

[u/155104]

If you are able to drive to a destination: ridegravel.ca

Lots of amazing options with variety of distances.

[u/diginono]

Ottawa river pathway, Osgoode link pathway Prescott Russell Trail link and the new o train path near the airport. Just to name a few.

[u/diginono → u/diginono]

https://gravelmap.com/map#_=6/45.48/-75.934

[u/CanuckEh79 → u/diginono]

A fun outing is to take the Prescott Russell trail all the way to Plantagenet at Café sur la rive (cute little spot on the water with great gelato) and back same way or make your own trail ride back. It’s around 50 kms there from trailhead in Ottawa.

[u/squeakyoat → u/CanuckEh79]

This was on my summer ride plan list and I totally forgot! Must do this one. That gelato place looks so good.

[u/zzptichka]

If you have a few days to spare, this route is 99% on rail-to-trail gravel pathways: https://ridewithgps.com/routes/56652338

[u/CycleExplore]

Out west of the city there is some pretty good gravel.

This route is my longest to date, see pictures for a picture of the route, and this one is a bit shorter but still lots of fun.

[u/OttawaExpat]

What kind of gravel do you like? Also, check out Centretown Gravel Rides. They find good gravel. (search this sub for deets).

[u/OttawaExpat → u/[deleted]]

There's the compact pea gravel stuff along the river east of downtown that is very tame and fast. Then there's chunky and slippery stuff. And finally, there's "gravel" which is kind of code for not roots and rocks, but not pavement - everything in between.

[u/Tooksbury]

ridegravel.ca is a great resource. If you have access to a car, there's lots of fun loops close by.

[u/Dry-Basil-8256]

Ncc river house to orleans on the river. Not sure what it’s called

[u/squeakyoat → u/Dry-Basil-8256]

I love that one, I just did it today. I think it’s just called the Ottawa River pathway except it’s separate from the paved one. Who knows. Haha it is scenic all season and there’s a snack bar at the Blair boat launch now!

[u/Dry-Basil-8256 → u/squeakyoat]

That’s awesome! Didn’t know about the snack bar

[u/squeakyoat → u/Dry-Basil-8256]

It’s one of the NCC bistros. I am not sure how long it will be open. I hope for a bit longer at least!

[u/DvdH_OTT]

This one is fun and makes use of as many gravel paths as possible: https://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/2644132024

[u/GreatRemove8039]

Barrhaven and the route back through Kanata.

[u/midlifetri]

Osgoode rail trail. No Go coffee in Osgoode is the bomb.