Ethan BrownHere’s the thing about me: when winter rolls, I don’t just tolerate it—I live for it! Every year, I make it my mission to grab my snowshoes and check out new trails across the city (because let’s be real—once you start, you’ll want more).
And since Ottawa does deliver, I’ve stumbled upon trails that feel like walking through a real-life snow globe, spots with great views, and peaceful paths with the occasional sighting of majestic wildlife.
From beginner-friendly routes to trails that’ll make you sweat like you’re training for the Winter Olympics, I’ve listed here my favourites, and these just happen to be Ottawa’s best snowshoeing spots. Let’s dive in!
Gatineau Park
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Expertise: Intermediate to Expert
Distance: Over 90 km (56 miles)
Shops/Rentals in and nearby: Relais Plein Air, Gatineau Park Visitor Centre
Approximately a 20-minute drive from downtown Ottawa, Gatineau Park is a gem, with over 90 kilometres of marked trails. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced snowshoer, this park has got you covered!
The trails here are maintained, and the signage is excellent, with colour-coded markers indicating difficulty levels. Another standout feature is the diversity of terrain—from woodlands to tranquil open spaces—offering a variety of scenic views.
For amenities, you’ll find parking at most major trailheads and warm-up shelters dotted along the longer trails. If you don’t have snowshoes, rentals are available on-site and in the nearby Gatineau Park Visitor Centre and Relais Plein Air.
| Pro tip: Don’t miss Trail 70, a moderate route that rewards you with views of the Ottawa River and the surrounding hills. Also, follow their trail guidelines to preserve skiing tracks and ensure safe sharing of multi-use trails. |
Ottawa Greenbelt (Mer Bleue, Stony Swamp, and Shirley’s Bay)
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Expertise: Easy to Intermediate
Distance: Mer Bleue – 21.7 km (13.5 miles), Stony Swamp – over 40 km (25 miles), Shirley’s Bay – 4.2 km (2.6-mile loop)
Shops/Rentals in and nearby: Trailhead Paddle Shack
The Ottawa Greenbelt boasts a network of snowshoe-friendly trails that cater to all skill levels, and its variety offers something for everyone. In Mer Bleue, the 21.7 kilometres of trails are relatively flat, with wide-open spaces perfect for families with kids.
Stony Swamp, with over 40 kilometres of trails, features densely wooded areas and more challenging routes that are ideal for intermediate snowshoers. Meanwhile, Shirley’s Bay offers a scenic 2.6-mile loop where you can enjoy views of the frozen Ottawa River.
Snow conditions in the Greenbelt’s trails are generally well-maintained, and the trail markings are well-positioned. Most trailheads have parking lots, and trail maps are posted at key points.
| Pro tip: Since these are multi-use trails, snowshoers must always stay to the side and avoid damaging the groomed ski tracks. |
Rideau Winter Trail
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Expertise: Easy to Intermediate
Distance: 9 km (5.6 miles)
Shops/Rentals in and nearby: Kunstadt Sports, Fresh Air Experience
The Rideau Winter Trail is a fantastic option for urbanites who want to stay close to the city but still enjoy a winter adventure. Stretching 9 kilometres, this trail runs along the Rideau River and offers a flat and accessible terrain, perfect for beginners.
The views along the way are great, the snow is well-groomed, and you’ll also find clear markers. This trail is also shared with skiers, so it’s an excellent spot to bring friends or family who might want to try a different winter activity.
Since the Rideau Winter Trails is located within the city, it offers some of Ottawa’s most consistent snow conditions. Furthermore, parking is available!
| Pro tip: For rentals, you can visit shops like Kunstadt Sports or Fresh Air Experience to gear up for your outing. |
Kichi Sibi Winter Trail
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Expertise: Intermediate
Distance: 18 km (11 miles)
Shops/Rentals in and nearby: Fresh Air Experience
The Kichi Sibi Winter Trail stretches 18 kilometres along the Ottawa River and has gained a reputation as one of the best multi-use winter trails in the city. Here, you’ll have a clear path to enjoy, with views of the river and occasional glimpses of wildlife.
The relatively flat terrain makes it an excellent choice for beginners and intermediates, while its length offers a rewarding challenge for experienced snowshoers. Moreover, the trails are groomed regularly, and the markers and signage are highly visible.
By the way, the trails connect to other nearby trails, so it’s possible to explore a wider area if you’re feeling adventurous. Parking is available at several access points, and since the trail is within Ottawa, finding nearby amenities is a breeze.
| Pro tip: Consider starting from one of the access points closest to Westboro Beach. This area offers some of the prettiest views and is less crowded compared to the entrances at major trailheads. |
Wesley Clover Parks
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Expertise: Easy to Intermediate
Distance: approx. 4 km (2.5 miles)
Shops/Rentals in and nearby: Relais Plein Air
Wesley Clover Parks’ trails span about 2.5 miles (4 kilometres), making them perfect for anyone who’s after a relaxed yet invigorating day in the snow. These paths are relatively flat with gentle inclines—ideal for beginners.
The snow conditions are typically well-maintained here, and the trails have lots of open spaces, snowy trees, and occasional wildlife sightings. Furthermore, the trails are clearly marked, so you won’t get stuck figuring out where to go next.
This trail also offers different activities, which is perfect if you want a mix of fun—think watching light shows or cross-country skiing. A big bonus is the nearby amenities: warm spots to rest, parking spaces, and coffee shops.
| Pro tip: If you time your visit carefully, you might catch a snowshoeing event hosted here, which often includes guided tours by knowledgeable locals—worth looking into when planning your trip! |
Beaver Trail and Chipmunk Trail
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Expertise: Easy
Distance: 3.7 km (2.3 miles out-and-back)
Shops/Rentals in and nearby: Relais Plein Air
Beaver Trail and Chipmunk Trail have a combined 3.7-km out-and-back route, which is just the right length for a moderate trek. This is especially great if you’re looking for a trail that’s manageable yet still gets your heart pumping.
The trail markers are spaced out regularly and easy to spot along the way. These trails are part of a conservation area, so you’ll get prime chances to spot native wildlife like birds, deer, or even the occasional rabbit tracks dotted across the snow.
While Beaver Trail and Chipmunk Trail don’t have rental facilities directly tied to them, there are a couple of snowshoe rental shops in other places, like Relais Plein Air.
| Pro tip: Remember to bring your snacks along as amenities are a bit sparse—the area leans toward natural, untouched beauty rather than full-service comfort stops. |
Old Quarry Trail
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Expertise: Easy
Distance: 3.4 km (2.1 miles out-and-back)
Shops/Rentals in and nearby: Trailhead Paddle Shack
Old Quarry Trail is a 3.4-km out-and-back trail that’s manageable for most skill levels, with just enough small hills and meandering turns to keep things interesting. Snow conditions here are great, and the trail layout features clean-cut paths.
This trail also happens to be well-marked, with signposts and arrows guiding you the entire route. Old Quarry also offers a mix of tall birches and evergreens, plus a few rock formations peeking out along the trail (hence the “quarry” in the name).
Moreover, the trail itself doesn’t have snowshoe rentals available, though some Ottawa-based outdoor gear shops, like Trailhead Paddle Shack, can save you. It’s also close enough to the Kanata area, meaning it’s super accessible.
| Pro tip: Make sure to get there as early in the day as possible. This trail is popular thanks to its proximity to the city. |
Pine Grove Trail
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Expertise: Easy to Intermediate
Distance: up to 7.3 km (4.5 miles)
Shops/Rentals in and nearby: Trailhead Paddle Shack
Pine Grove Trail offers multiple interconnected snowshoe trails, some reaching up to 3.7 kilometres, so you can tailor the adventure to your stamina. The paths here vary in difficulty—you’ll find gentle trails as well as challenging ones with a few uphill climbs.
The snow conditions are well-maintained throughout the season, and the marking system is super clear. The long stretches also mean you can find quieter spots if you want to stop and take it all in.
If you don’t have snowshoe equipment, rentals aren’t available directly at Pine Grove, so prepare accordingly. As for amenities, this trail sticks to its natural vibe, so packing snacks, water, and warm layers is a must.
| Pro tip: Pine Grove Trail is managed by NCC, so check the website before heading out. They often post updates about trail conditions, closures, or even guided tours you can join to elevate your experience. |
Ski Heritage East
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Expertise: Intermediate to Expert
Distance: 40 km (25 miles)
Shops/Rentals in and nearby: MEC Ottawa, Trailhead Paddle Shack
Stretching 40 kilometres (about 25 miles) along the Ottawa River, the Ski Heritage East gives you the option to go as far as you like. It’s a multi-use trail, so besides snowshoers, you may encounter cross-country skiers and fat bikers.
The paths here are flat and well-groomed, and the trail markings are frequent enough to guide you from one point to another. Additionally, you can choose spots with stunning frozen river views or stay closer to urban areas for nearby parking and amenities.
There are access points along the entire length, so hopping onto the trail is a breeze. While there are no rentals directly tied to this trail, you can check out places like MEC or Trailhead Paddle Shack in the city centre.
| Pro tip: Try to start your outing earlier in the day since this trail doesn’t have lighting after dark. And if you’re going with kids, there are spots along the trail, like the edges near Petrie Island, where they can safely plod along in their snowshoes. |
Ottawa West Winter Trail
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Expertise: Intermediate
Distance: 8 km (5 miles)
Shops/Rentals in and nearby: Trailhead Paddle Shack
The Ottawa West Winter Trail may only be 8 kilometres (5 miles) long, but it’s packed with enough charm to keep everyone coming back. The flatness of the trail makes it another beginner-friendly option.
The trails here are groomed regularly, the tracks are well-marked, and occasional benches and resting spots are also available. While the trail is shared with skiers, there’s enough space for everyone to enjoy snowshoeing without feeling overcrowded.
If you need snowshoe rentals, you’ll want to check Trailhead Paddle Shack or other local outfitters closer to downtown.
| Pro tip: Don’t forget to bring snacks and water, as this trail doesn’t have any amenities right on-site. |
Camp Fortune
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Expertise: Intermediate to Expert
Distance: approx. 5 km (3 miles)
Shops/Rentals in and nearby: Camp Fortune Rentals
Camp Fortune is a name that’s often associated with skiing, but don’t overlook its snowshoeing trails! About a 25-minute drive from downtown Ottawa, this spot offers snowshoers about 5 kilometres of lovely trails to explore.
The terrain is more varied here, so you’ll find yourself navigating gentle hills and more undisturbed areas. The snow is typically well-packed along the main routes, and the views are great, with clearings that give glimpses of the Gatineau Hills.
Trail signage is adequate, but be sure to grab a map before heading out if you’re planning to venture toward less-tracked areas. Camp Fortune also has the bonus of on-site amenities and even equipment rentals.
| Pro tip: Remember to take advantage of their ski and snowboard lessons—perfect for enhancing your skills, regardless of experience level. |
Parc Omega
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Expertise: Easy
Distance: 12 km (7.5 miles) self-drive wildlife loop, 1 km (0.6 miles) snowshoeing/hiking trail
Shops/Rentals in and nearby: Parc Omega
Parc Omega isn’t the usual choice if you’re thinking strictly of snowshoeing, but it’s definitely one for the bucket list. Roughly a 60-minute drive from downtown Ottawa, this place primarily offers a unique 12-kilometre self-drive loop for wildlife viewing.
However, don’t miss the chance to strap on your snowshoes and check out their 1-kilometre snowshoeing trail—a short but absolutely magical trail. The trail itself is well-maintained with lightly packed snow, so it’s suited for all skill levels.
You’ll find it tucked within a wooded area, and if you’re lucky, you might even spot some of the wildlife Parc Omega is so famous for. Plus, there are seating areas, interpretive stations, and signs along the way.
| Pro tip: If you don’t own snowshoes, they have rental options at the visitor centre. Also, consider trying winter camping for a unique overnight wildlife experience, or explore using caged golf carts for safety during close encounters. |
