Walks and Views

A clifftop park at one of the highest points of the Scarborough Bluffs, with sweeping views of Lake Ontario and the spires of the bluffs far below. There is no access to the water here, so stay behind the fences and enjoy the lookout. Open year round and free.

A fully accessible garden park on top of the Scarborough Bluffs, with rose gardens, raised planters, braille signage and a rock fountain under a pergola. It is a haven for flower lovers and bird and butterfly watchers, with spectacular views over Lake Ontario. Open year round and free.

A large forest in the Don River Valley with about 10 km of natural surface trails, a diverse bird population and lookouts with spectacular views of the city skyline. Trails include intermediate singletrack for hiking and mountain biking plus the easier 1.3 km Sun Valley Trail and the restored meadow at Cottonwood Flats. Open year round and free.

An 11 hectare forested ravine in the Beaches, fed by clean groundwater from Ames Creek, with trails and stairs through steep slopes of red oak and red maple. It is a designated Environmentally Significant Area where several regionally uncommon birds and plants have been seen. Open year round and free.

An outdoor site on the Cap-Rouge promontory where archaeologists found traces of the forts built by Jacques Cartier and Roberval in 1541, with an interpretive trail, old trees and a footbridge lookout over the St. Lawrence. It is a quiet spot for a short walk with a great river view, and leashed dogs are welcome. Free access from April to November (the lookout footbridge is open 24 hours); parking is free.

A wooded natural park stretching 2.6 km along the St. Lawrence, one of the few places in the city where you can reach the shoreline, with a narrow river terrace, a foreshore and a cliff with panoramic views. Walk or run on the dirt trails in summer, and on the packed trail or with snowshoes in winter. Hours vary by season and sector (from mid November to April, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., with access through the Cap-Rouge sector); access, parking and activities are free.

A 32 km linear park that follows the Saint-Charles River from its mouth near the Old Port to its source at Lac Saint-Charles, with bridges, boardwalks, lookouts, birdlife and public art along 13 sectors. You can walk the whole trail, cycle about 8 km of it, and in winter use 30 km of groomed walking trail plus ski and snowshoe sections. Open daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.; access is free and parking is free in most sectors (a section near parc Chauveau is detoured for erosion work).

A 6.8 km landscaped waterfront promenade along the St. Lawrence on boulevard Champlain, with theme gardens, art, river views, an observation tower at the Quai des Cageux and a multi use path for walking and cycling. In summer there are water play areas and a beach area; in winter the path is groomed for walking. Open daily 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. year round; site access and parking are free.

A wooded park along the Sir George-Étienne Cartier Parkway in Ottawa's east end, with spectacular lookouts over the Ottawa River and the flower gardens of the Rockeries. Multi use pathways and picnic tables make it a lovely spot for a walk or a stop on a bike ride. The site is free, with free parking at Rockcliffe Park; it is open from early May until the first snowfall, and the pavilion and washrooms are currently closed for repairs.

A set of small parks around the Chaudières Bridge with viewing platforms over the powerful Chaudières Falls, a wooden boardwalk and art on Chaudières Island, and bedrock lookouts on the north bank. The falls are most impressive in spring when the snowmelt is at its peak. The parks are free and open year round, with universally accessible paths; there are no washrooms for now and nearby parking at Zibi is paid.

18.4 km of forest trails in the south end Greenbelt, with many loops for short or long walks and a self guided Forestry Trail with panels on tree species and forest management. It is a quiet, shady place for a nature walk close to the city. Trail access is free and parking is free year round at lots P17, P18 and P19; leashed dogs are allowed on all trails from April 15 to November 30.

A walk along the Rideau Canal, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, starting at the flight of Ottawa Locks between Parliament Hill and the Château Laurier. Seven outdoor exhibit sites along the canal pathway tell its story, from the locks to the Shaw Centre, Pretoria Bridge, Lansdowne, Dow's Lake, the Experimental Farm and Hartwells Lockstation. Walking the promenade is free year round, and Parks Canada offers a free self guided tour app.