Cycling in east-end Ottawa along the Ottawa River

Note - Scroll down to the bottom the this page for a map and photos.

East-end Ottawa
(Downtown to Trim Road)

One of the nicest bicycle paths in the Ottawa area is located along the

Ottawa River on the east side the city. Unfortunately, it be may under utilized by cyclists because there is no continuous pathway link between this area and the downtown core. However, people will be well rewarded if they make the effort to check out these paths.

From the downtown area, cyclists can pick up a bicycle path by following Sussex eastward towards the Rockcliffe Parkway. You will eventually find a good paved bicycle path on the right side the street. It starts in the vicinity of Rideau Hall (the Governor General's residence), but it only runs for a little over a kilometre. At this point it is necessary to ride on the Rockcliffe Parkway to continue going east. This part of the Parkway can have quite a bit of traffic. Fortunately, it does have one positive point in its favour - since it is located on higher land, it offers a great view of the Ottawa River.

After about a kilometre on the Parkway, the bicycle path resumes. It is a paved pathway with the standard yellow line painted down the middle. This paved pathway continues eastward for several kilometres and ends a little past the Aviation Museum (the Rockcliffe Airport). For the most part, it parallels the Rockcliffe Parkway, and although it is pleasant enough, there is nothing very special about it. A far better option is to take one of several side paths down a short hill that leads to the Ottawa River. Here you will find a wide crushed stone pathway that is only a few feet from the water. The crushed stone surface is easy to ride and suitable for all types of bikes.

This crushed stone path starts just before the New Edinburgh Club and continues east for approximately nine kilometres. The path runs on a relatively narrow strip of land between a wooded hillside and the Ottawa River. At one point the path runs through the middle of the Rockcliffe Yacht Club. In the river there are a series of uninhabited islands. This means there are several stretches where there are no structures or built up areas that are visible from the path, so it is easy to imagine that you're cycling in the wilderness in Northern Ontario. Moreover, there are a number of areas where this path is shaded from the afternoon sun. All this makes for one of the nicer pathways in the Ottawa area.

Descending to the pathway which runs along
the Ottawa River. (Scroll down for more photos).

Further east, the pathway heads inland and gradually loops back towards the downtown area. At this point, if you use your sense of direction, and keep on eye out, you'll find a turnoff which allows cyclists to go up the hill onto another pathway. This is paved pathway which parallels the Rockcliffe Parkway and continues east for another 4 or 5 kilometres.

The paved pathway eventually dumps cyclists off on Roslyn Avenue, a nice quiet side street. This may appear to be the end of the cycling pathways heading east. But if you know where to look, it is very easy to pick up another path which goes all the way to Trim Road. Head to the end of Roslyn Avenue (only a few short blocks) where you'll come to the Saint-Louis Residence (a long-term care home). Here you will be forced to turn right. Soon after turning, keep an eye out on your left for the beginning of another crushed stone pathway.

This path goes on for approximately eight kilometres, and for the most part it is made with crushed stone and is suitable for all types of bicycles. It runs through an open area, but houses and other structures are visible on the north side. The path has a number of easy to follow twists and turns. At one point it runs along the southern edge of François Dupont Park. A little further it has a convenient exit point at the intersection of 10th Line Road and the North Service Road.

One annoying problem with the final few kilometres of the pathway leading to Trim Road is that there are a few stretches which are covered with coarse gravel. Some are relatively short, and with a little caution, it is possible to get through them on narrow road tires. However, the last kilometre or two of the pathway (just before Trim Road) has a gravel surface which is too coarse for narrow road bike tires. You would not want to ride here on tires less than 35 mm in width (and wider would be better). If you do find yourself on the last part of the pathway with narrow tires, it is really no problem. It is easy to get on to the North Service Road, which parallels the path for the last few kilometres. This road is not too busy, and it has a good paved shoulder.

At Trim Road, cyclists have the option of turning left to go to Petrie Island and its nice beach. Unfortunately, this will put you on a coarse gravel road that can be quite dusty and busy with traffic on weekends. Again, it is not ideal for bikes with very narrow road tires.

Some Notes when starting from Trim Road
(riding east to west).

You can pick up the crushed stone bicycle path where it parallels the North Service Road, at the bottom the 10th Line Road, or at a variety of other points. This crushed stone pathway ends at Hiawatha Park Road. Turn right onto Hiawatha Park Road. It soon curves to bring you on to Roslyn Avenue (a short distance). The paved bicycle path begins at the end of Roslyn avenue. In a little over 4 kilometres, this paved pathway will automatically bring you to the crushed stone path which runs right next to the Ottawa River. Once you pass the Rockcliffe Yacht Club (which you can't miss), you have the option of turning left on any number of side trails to get to the paved pathway on the top of the hill.

Once you are on the top of the hill, you can use the paved pathway to head further west. However, it will soon come to end, and you will have to ride with the traffic on the Rockcliffe Parkway for about a kilometre (you'll also pass a nice lookout which provides an impressive view of the Ottawa River). The paved bicycle path eventually resumes, but on the opposite side of the Parkway (on the south side of the road). Following this pathway will bring you to Sussex Drive. Parts of Sussex have a painted laneway reserved for cyclists. Sussex will bring you to the Market area in downtown Ottawa (about 22 to 24 kilometres from Trim Road).

If you want to venture further west on the bicycles paths, you will have to stay on Sussex until you get in front of the National Art Gallery of Canada. Head towards the back of the museum by turning right onto Saint Patrick Street. Keep an eye out on the left side of Saint Patrick Street for an entrance to the path as soon as you get to rear of the museum. If you stay on Saint Patrick Street, you end up crossing the Ottawa River on the Alexandra Bridge.

Once on the pathway, you will descend a nice steep hill to the Rideau Canal. Walk your bike across the top of one of the lock gates to get to the other side of the canal. Now you'll have the choice of turning right and following the bicycle path behind the Parliament Buildings (and if you desire, all the way to Kanata). Turn left and you will be able to follow the pathway along the Rideau Canal to Dow's Lake, and points beyond.

You also have another option when on Saint Patrick Street behind the National Gallery of Canada. You could simply continue heading north on Saint Patrick Street and cross the Alexandra Bridge. It has a nice wide section for pedestrians and cyclists, and offers a great view of the Parliament Hill.

Michael McGoldrick,
September, 2007

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Some handy URLs regarding this ride:
NCC Pathway Map (PDF file)
City of Ottawa Online cycling map