Ottawa River Pathway

Ride the river through Ottawa on a mostly car-free, super scenic path. You’ll roll past Parliament Hill, the Canadian War Museum, Remic Rapids, and Westboro Beach, with easy options to carry on toward Britannia and Rockcliffe Park. It’s mostly paved with a few short gravel bits, and almost entirely on a separated cycleway with just a couple of quiet-road links.

Do a quick downtown spin for skyline views, or make a longer day of it by connecting into the Capital Pathway network, including the Rideau Canal and Trillium paths. Expect a gentle, mostly flat ride, lots of parks and beaches for breaks, and plenty of spots nearby for coffee or snacks. Figure roughly 20 km end-to-end for a main segment, and it’s easy to shorten or extend.

Great for all bikes and family-friendly. Bring a bell and lights—this is a shared multi-use path and it can get busy on sunny weekends. Wind off the river can kick up, and occasional construction or events may trigger detours, so keep an eye on signs.