3 Best Hiking Trails in Ottawa, ON

"Hog's Back Park spans over 20.8 hectares with beautiful scenery, open spaces, historical displays and a renovated heritage pavilion. The park features a stunning waterfall where the Rideau River and Rideau Canal meet. Hog's Back Park includes impressive waterfalls, a dam, picnic areas with tables and well-maintained hiking trails. Visitors can explore wildlife, observe birds and relax in designated areas. The park provides numerous benches and washrooms are available at the main kiosk. Hog's Back Park is ideal for enjoying nature during your day or weekend. Free parking is available. Hog's Back Park has a wheelchair-accessible entrance.

"Mer Bleue Bog plays an essential role in climate stabilization. The park features an interpretive boardwalk, sand ridges, cross-country ski trails, and forests. Mer Bleue Park offers over 20 kilometres of trails, providing ample hiking opportunities. This park has a 7,700-year-old bog history and provides habitat for many species of regionally rare and significant plants, birds, and other wildlife. Mer Bleue Bog is an excellent spot for a short walk, offering something different to see in every season. Visitors can explore diverse vegetation, from early succession poplars to shrubs. The bog supports two main types of vegetation: black spruce forest and open heathland. Mer Bleue Bog is ideal for large groups looking to gather for special events or occasions. Located in the southeastern sector of the Greenbelt, the 3,500-hectare Mer Bleue conservation area provides a unique opportunity to see a northern boreal landscape.

"South March Highlands Conservation Forest is one of Ottawa’s largest and most biologically diverse urban forests, located in Ottawa’s West End. This is a nature preserve that offers hiking, mountain biking, and more. Park visitors enjoy mountain biking, hiking, trail running, dog walking, orienteering in the summer and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the winter. The forest has green trails filled with little painted rocks, and even the blue trails have some lovely views. The South March Highlands forest has lots of wonderful wildlife and clean areas for sitting and snacking. The South March Highlands Forest is a great place to go for mountain bike trails or hiking, and is accessible year-round. South March Highlands Conservation Forest has a 457-hectare forested nature preserve and is dog-friendly.