~ryanlowe/blog: Ottawa Inline Skating Trails Report

Ottawa Inline Skating Trails Report

OK folks, the sweepers have not been out on the bike paths yet. But I have seen them on the roads and sidewalks, so they are bound to be soon. The path on the east side of the Rideau Canal is quite bad for gravel/sand, but I did manage to make it from Hog's Back to just past the Canal Ritz (but the east side, naturally). After that, the path is under construction: they are replacing the wall of the canal and the railing, which was falling apart and causing the bike path to sink in places.

My bro reports that the trail on the Quebec side of the Ottawa River (called the Champlain Trail, he tells me) still has snow on it. Not so good for rollerblading but excellent for cross country skiing. I take that trail west from the Champlain Bridge past the beach in Alymer until it ends, which is about 20k for the round trip. The trail also goes further east all the way to Hull apparently but I've only been a few kilometers that way. The Champlain Trail is great because its in the woods -- you're not near traffic and you only cross roads a few times. It stays close to the Ottawa River but it's not a great trail for "the view" though ... all you see is trees. :)

A better trail for a view is the trail on the south side of the Ottawa River from the Champlain Bridge east towards downtown (there's parking at the Champlain Bridge). You can even go all the way to the base of the Rideau Canal locks on that trail, which is cool. Great views of the cliffs, the new war museum and Hull. The trail is in decent shape, but isn't as good as the Champlain Trail on the Quebec side.

Today I skated from near the Hurdman bus stop to Sussex Drive on the bike path on the east side of the Rideau River. It's in amazing shape for this time of year, and looks fairly new -- nice and smooth for inline skating. Until the other trails are clear, this is the one to take. You can park near Billings Bridge or in the Du Barry parking lot at Montreal Road, both close to this path.

Much thanks goes to the National Capital Commission for making all of these great trails.

Posted at March 30, 2004 at 08:35 PM EST
Last updated March 30, 2004 at 08:35 PM EST

Comments

I was out running beside the canal today (from NAC to the Pretoria St. bridge, both sides), and I saw the sweepers on the west side. They looked like they had already gotten to the east side.

It looked like that would be a good place to be. There was a bunch of roller bladers out there. I'd say to stay to the east side though, the pavement on the west side needs a lot of work.

» Posted by: Jim at March 30, 2004 10:05 PM

I thought the trail from hurdman to sussex went along the rideau river. I thought that was the name of the river. I think the Ottawa river is the one running between Ontario and Quebec.

Anyway, I really like the roller blading trails that are in this city. They make the summer lots of fun. I was out tonite actually. Just from my place to Val's. Going along the trail beside the transit way. It was pretty good. Not the smoothest of trails, but it was dirt free and dry almost the whole way there.

» Posted by: Kibbee at March 30, 2004 10:08 PM

Oops, ya it's the Rideau River. I corrected it.

» Posted by: Ryan at March 31, 2004 05:16 AM