national capital greenbelt

We really enjoyed the cross country ski trails and the very helpful people we met en route to help guide us where we might want to ski. We will go back.

unlike many large cities, Ottawa has an extensive network of green space, all within the city limits. The majority of the city's green space lies in the peripheral areas of town, making it a pleasant for families and individuals alike. It is also good for those people who don't have an opportunity to go into the countryside for a weekend trip.

Some really beautiful trails in the "green belt" of undeveloped lands surrounding Ottawa. These are trails that are available year round for walking, cycling, skiing, and geocaching!

Beautiful gardens, tulips during the tulip festival (a must see), Rideau Canal in all seasons. a lot of history in the making of one of the best canal systems and locks in the world.

Free parking lots for cars are the start-off points for free trails through the greenery. Looks, feels & even sounds like you're in the country, not an urban setting. Great places to walk & nature watch. Great place to take the kids or friends or go solo. Some trails allow leashed dogs, but not all.

The greenbelt that both impresses me the most and yet which is a total fraud is the vast meadow backed by what seems to be yet so is not that is on either side of the boulevard that runs from the airport. How very Hollywood!

Some of us Ottawa natives hate the greenbelt due to the inability to expand out highways... but we also love the place for it's beauty. Nice place, Mer Bleue is my personal favorite!

Lots of trails. Hiking and bikes trails are all over the place. For the nature lover. There is even a boardwalk in mer blue bog, very impressive. Parking is free at most lots. Visit NCC website for maps.

WE are so fortunate to have plenty of green space and rivers all through our beautiful capital city. Check it out, much to see and enjoy.

If you like to bike, look up the "Bike Trail-Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail_Anderson Rd to Rigaud". This fine gravel topped path runs for 100 Km crossing many country roads with serene farm land on either side. Enjoy being away from traffic and find picnic tables at several locations along the way as well as places to park your vehicle.

It's always nice to get away from the city and, by going to the greenbelt (which is located within the city of Ottawa), you don't have far to go. One of my favourite trails within the greenbelt is the Sarsaparilla trail. I went with my wife and granddaughters and they were thrilled to feed the wild birds out of their hands.

I don't like it I love it.My wife and I bought bikes and started to ride the trails.It is beautiful.We are trying to become more fit.Here on the Greenbelt it is a pleasure.I guess it is a big plus to be out in August.maybe we will take up snowshoing or CC sking in January.So far we love the Greenbelt.It makes you feel glad to be alive!

We cycled up and down the Ottawa river all the way to Aylmer going north and Orleans going south. Fantastic.

Mer Bleue is a fascinating conservation area because it is an environment that is normally found in the far north. The scrawny evergreens emerging from the spongy bog give you the feeling that you are in another world. But you don't need hip waders to enjoy this park; a floating board walk will allow you to walk around without disturbing the ecosystem.

The Greenbelt runs in a swathe to the south of Ottawa. This is not farmland; it's wilderness easily accessible from the city - admittedly most easily accessed by car. There are numerous parking lots at well marked trail heads, some of which are wheelchair/buggy friendly.My favourite Greenbelt spot bar none is the Mer Bleue to the east of Ottawa. This peat bog and marsh has an accessible boardwalk looping through it that takes about 45minutes of slow ambling to go around. The soil conditions are very similar to those found in the tundra of Canada's North, so this is a great opportunity to see flora that you would otherwise have to drive 12 hours to see. There are good information boards located along the boardwalk. Please don't pick the blueberries, leave them for the mice, mink and birds.The Mer Bleue is reached from Highway 417 - take exit 110 (Walkley) and turn left at the top of the slip road if you are coming from Ottawa; follow the road around the sharp 90 degree bend and then take the first road on the left (Ridge Road) all the way to the end (c. 5km) - you want the parking lot at the end, not the one at the corner with Anderson. The parking lot is open from 08:00 to sundown. There is a covered picnic area and a toilet.