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. Want to follow trail conditions? Our Twitter feed does that @WomenonSkis. Follow us to follow the trails.
Trail conditions
Our community trails and local clubs now have a sit that displays a map showing currently conditions and links to all trail reports on one page. It does not cover all trails listed below but it is good one stop shopping for many.
https://www.nordic-pulse.com/ski-areas/CA/ON/region/Ottawa-Urban-Winter-Trails
Ottawa Community trails – from east to west
These comprise the Winter Urban Trail Alliance. They are in the Greenbelt and on City of Ottawa property. They do not charge trail fees but depend largely on donations.
Ski Heritage East* – Along the Ottawa River East from Blair Rd to Petrie Island (Trimm Rd) 13 km facebook page website
Orleans Nordic Ski Club website Latest tracking information – 613-837-snow (7669)
Green’s Creek (Hornet’s Nest) – 4.1 km groomed
Mer Bleu – 20.5 km – groomed from trailhead P20 on Anderson Rd
Pine Grove Forest – 18 km – 6.4 groomed
Rideau Winter Trail – east side of Rideau River from Donald St. to 417 and back website
Kichi Sibi Winter Trail* (formerly SJAM) along the Ottawa River from the War Museum to Westboro Beach facebook website
Britannia Winter Trail* – Mud Lake to Britannia Facebook
Ottawa West Winter Trial * – groomed by Kanata Nordic from Moodie Dr. to March Rd. in Kanata and back up to NCC P3 on Corkstown Road – trail conditions
Other trails – club and community
These trails may charge trail fees or may depend on donations. Some clubs may have limitations of when visitors are welcome. Visit their web page or social media site for details.
Nearby in Quebec
Gatineau Park * general information trail maps trail conditions
Nakkertok Nordic Ski Club * NE Gatineau information trail conditions trail maps
Chelsea Community Trail 18 km along Gatineau River on the railway right-of-way website
East of Ottawa
Cumberland Village about 4 km website
Larose Forest – 30 min east of Ottawa in Prescott-Russell 46 km of trails Facebook page
Central Ottawa
City of Ottawa Mooney’s Bay Ski Centre – Mooney’s Bay * website trail conditions
West Ottawa
Kanata Nordic * – Day skiers are welcome Monday – Friday – website
West Carleton Nordic Ski Club* – Fitzroy Provincial Park website with trail conditions
Greenbelt Trails general information
Shirley’s 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/