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Best Bike Rides in Ottawa
by Milind Kumar
Click the pic for a description of the route.
Recreational pathway - Sightseeing Cycling Route
To ride by numerous iconic sites, follow the Sightseeing Cycling Route. It will take you on a relatively flat and leisurely ride of approximately 7.5 km in and around downtown Ottawa. You’ll see sights such as the Rideau Canal, the Bytown Museum, Parliament Hill, the Canadian War Museum, the Canadian Museum of History, the National Gallery of Canada and more.
“Secretly hidden under the bridge you will find this tourist gem. There were [an] ample number of bikes even towards the afternoon. For a great sightseeing trip, plan to take the Rideau Canal bike path, where you will pass the historic Rideau Canal locks in action (still currently in use).”
Weekend Bikedays - NOKIA Weekend Bikedays
During the warmer months (May to October), you can enjoy additional traffic-free recreation space in the Ottawa-Gatineau region. In 2021, the annual NOKIA Sunday Bikedays program was expanded to NOKIA Weekend Bikedays, providing even more access to safe and socially distanced outdoor activity. On Saturdays and Sundays, several parkways are opened to cyclists, in-line skaters, runners and walkers looking for a worry-free and spacious outing.
Click the pic for more information
“This is great fun! What a pleasant way to enjoy the view along this scenic route. Bring your bike or your rollerblades, friends and family! If you need to drive into town to get here (as we did), you can park in Tunney's Pasture, and make your way either east into downtown, or west past the Kitchissippi. This might be a good way to get into downtown without worrying about where to park your car, if you don't mind "helmet-head"! We went in early August, and it was not jam packed with people, a very pleasant ride, and not too hot. There are plenty of trees along this road, providing shade from the hot sun. There's lots of green space around here too, and a couple of places where you can pull out, off the road, such as at the Remic Rapids - it would be a lot of fun to ride around for a bit, then sit in one of the parks to enjoy a picnic. We will be back.”
Click the pic to visit the Gatineau Park website
Mountain Biking - Gatineau Park
The Ottawa area offers easy access to a variety of fun mountain biking options. Gatineau Park, located about a 10-minute drive or 15-minute bike ride from downtown Ottawa, contains about 90 kilometres of shared hiking trails that twist and turn over hilly and rugged terrains. From May to November, experienced mountain bikers can take advantage of these terrains for a truly unique and thrilling experience.
“Some easy mountain bike trails with gravel surfaces with the odd small rock variations. Loads of parking and restrooms. If you don't mind pushing your fitness in climbing hills, this is the place. Simply a cycling gem!”
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