Deporte al aire libre

A community groomed winter trail along the Ottawa River in Gatineau's Val-Tétreau area, running from Parc Brébeuf to the Château Cartier golf course. It is part of the shared winter trail network for walking, snowshoeing, skiing and fat biking, with river views all the way. It is free to use; park at the Parc Moussette lot or take an STO bus to Parc Brébeuf.

A groomed shared winter trail on the Greenbelt Pathway East, from Tauvette Street in Orléans to the Ski Heritage East trail, with links to Pine Grove and Mer Bleue. Skiers, snowshoers, fat bikers and walkers can all use it for free, thanks to the volunteers of the Orleans Nordic Ski Club. Park at P26, P19 or P20; dogs and bikes are welcome on this trail but not on the club's other connecting trails.

A long groomed multi use winter trail in Ottawa's east end that follows the Ottawa River from the NCC River House to Tweddle Road and continues on the Greenbelt Pathway East. It is shared by skiers, snowshoers, fat bikers and walkers and maintained by community volunteers. Use is free; park at lots P3 to P7, Greenbelt P27 or on the street.

A groomed multi use winter trail on the Watts Creek Pathway and the Greenbelt Pathway West, with side loops, shared by cross-country skiers, snowshoers, fat bikers and walkers. It is maintained by community volunteers and is free to use all winter. Park at Greenbelt lots P1 or P3; leashed dogs and bikes are welcome on this trail but not on nearby trail 12.

A family sledding hill in the Pine Grove Forest sector of the Greenbelt, and the NCC hill that is lit at night, so you can slide after school or work on winter evenings. Keep to the sides when climbing, and helmets are recommended for children; snowboarding and jumps are not allowed. Sledding is free.

One of the best daytime sledding hills in the Ottawa area, in the Stony Swamp sector of the Greenbelt next to the popular Bruce Pit off leash dog park. The hill is not lit, so plan to slide in daylight, and helmets are recommended for children. Sledding is free and parking at P12 is free all year; dogs are not allowed on the hill.

A free outdoor training circuit in Parc René-Lévesque on Chemin Lebaudy, with exercise stations and a walking loop for body weight workouts adapted to every fitness level. It belongs to the Ville de Gatineau's network of open air gyms, with no membership needed. Open from spring to fall, weather permitting, and free for everyone.

An open air gym in Parc des Ormes, in the Hull sector, with exercise stations and a walking route for body weight training at your own pace. It is part of the Ville de Gatineau's network of free outdoor fitness circuits, with no membership or booking required. Use it from spring to fall, weather permitting; it is free for everyone.

A free open air training circuit in Parc Lavictoire with a walking loop and stations for body weight exercises you can adapt to your level, no membership needed. From May to September, trained FADOQ volunteers are on site at set times to coach people aged 50 and over (Parc-Cours-Santé). Open from spring to fall, weather permitting, and free for everyone.

One of the 14 official sliding hills run by the Ville de Gatineau, in Parc des Draveurs near Boulevard de la Gappe. It is a good spot for a winter afternoon of sledding with kids once there is enough snow; the City page shows whether the hill is open. Sliding is free for everyone.

A free skating path (allée glacée) winding through Parc Saint-René in the Gatineau sector, maintained by the City. In winter, when the ice is ready, it is open daily from 7 am to 10 pm and closes during snowstorms; check the City page for the current ice status. Skating is free for everyone.

A free outdoor ice ring with skating paths in Parc Laflèche, in the Gatineau sector, maintained by the City for easy family skating. In winter, when conditions allow, it is open daily from 7 am to 10 pm and closes during snowstorms; the City page shows the current ice status. Skating is free for everyone.