Ottawa / Gatineau Trails
Ottawa/Gatineau are blessed with many options for cross country skiing. When you are not skiing with WOS, there are many km of groomed trails throughout the area. Many of the trails are free to use but are maintained by volunteer clubs or groups. Please support those you use through donations or trail fees. You can find how to donate through the individual websites. All are groomed for classic skiing unless otherwise noted. Those which additionally maintain skate trails are marked with a *.
View the map on the right in full screen mode to see the general locations of the following trails. Check the individual websites for actual trailheads.
North of Ottawa River
Gatineau Park * trail maps trail conditions
Nakkertok * NE Gatineau trail conditions trail maps
Chelsea Community Trail 18 km along Gatineau River on the railway right-of-way website
Central Ottawa
City of Ottawa Mooney’s Bay Ski Centre – Mooney’s Bay * website trail conditions
SJAM along the Ottawa River from the War Museum west beyond Island Park * facebook website
East Ottawa and beyond
Larose Forest 30 min east of Ottawa in Prescott-Russell 46 km of trails Facebook page
Cumberland Village about 4 km website
Ski Heritage East * NEW!! Along the Ottawa River East from Green’s Creek to Petrie Island 10 km facebook page
Greenbelt Trails general information trail conditions
Pine Grove Forest – south-east – 18 km – 6.4 groomed
Mer Blue– south-east – 20.5 km – groomed from trailhead P20 on Anderson Rd
Green’s Creek (Hornet’s Nest)– east – 4.1 km groomed
West Ottawa and beyond
Kanata Nordic Ski Club *– at Wesley Clover Equestrian Park and Campground on Corkstown Rd website trail conditions
For wooded trails enter at 411 Corkstown Rd – at the red Kanata Nordic banner and pay trail fees and collect a map at the sign near the club cabin. At 401 Corkstown – the main entrance to Wesley Clover Parks the trails are more open but provide a further 10km.
Watts Creek NCC Pathway from March Road to Moodie is being tracked on a trial basis – no charge for this trail
West Carleton Nordic Ski Club – Fitzroy Provincial Park website with trail conditions
Greenbelt Trails general information
Shirleys Bay – west – total 26km no grooming
Stony Swamp – west – total 36 km no grooming
Southern Farm and Pinhey Forest – south – 6.5 km no grooming
Other sites of interest
Musician on Skis Daily photos of scenery, birds, wildlife or outdoor activities, mainly in Gatineau Park – frequently showing ski conditions in Gatineau Park or Chelsea Community Trail. http://musicianonskis.ca/blog
For trail conditions as reported by skiers, consult http://www.xcottawa.ca/