Here at West Ottawa Real Estate, we’re pretty avid cyclists. You may have even seen Andy and Abhishek cruising the west-end bike paths. Or maybe hitting the trails at South March Highlands. Like many Ottawa residents, we love to explore the area on two wheels.
The National Capital Region has so much to offer cyclists of all ages, levels, and disciplines. Here’s a look at some of the reasons why Ottawa is the perfect place for cyclists to call home.
There’s Mountain Biking Everywhere
The rolling foothills of Ottawa/Gatineau provide the perfect landscape for a variety of trails. Unlike some areas where mountain biking is reserved for actual ski hills only.
In West Ottawa, you can find South March Highlands. A relatively flat, rocky, and technical terrain great for perfecting your skills at rock rolls and navigating roots. Bring plenty of bug spray in the summer because the marshy wetlands are pretty buggy!
If cross-country is more your style, you can head out to Almonte for a day trip on some of the nicest and most varied trails around. The Mississippi Valley Trail starts in Almonte proper and weaves through farmland and forest. Once you pass the Mill of Kintail conservation area, you’re close to another popular trail network: Bennie’s Corners. Bennie’s offers a range of technical ‘black’ trails and easier ‘blue’ and ‘green’ trails, perfect for all ages and skills.
The Ottawa Greenbelt is another hidden gem for mountain biking. These trails are mostly wide double-track with a few single-track paths weaving throughout. Relatively flat, the Greenbelt is the perfect place for beginners to learn the basics of riding trails.
But Wait, There’s More!
Larose Forest is also nearby in Ottawa’s east end. A relatively new trail network, Larose is sandy and flowy. With fantastic features like the Sidewinder, Larose is the perfect playground for mountain bikers looking for a fun day in the forest.
We can’t mention mountain biking in the area without talking about Gatineau Park. Just a short 10-15 minute drive from downtown Ottawa, Gatineau Park is the premiere destination in our region for mountain biking.
The ‘Lower Gats’ feature flowy, technical, and high elevation trails, perfect for a variety of riders. Camp Fortune is another popular spot for mountain biking, although it’s not for the faint of heart. Big drops, rock rolls, and steep features are just the beginning here.
Further north, but still part of Gatineau Park, you’ll find the Wakefield trails, slightly more technical and full of challenging climbs and descents.
