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Groundhog at Strathcona Park. Photo by Sarolta Gyoker.
Greenbelt trail marker on Trail #11. Photo by Glen Gower.

The Ottawa Greenbelt

The Ottawa Greenbelt includes over 200 square kilometers (20,350 hectares) of protected greenspace surrounding the urban part of Ottawa, Ontario. It's a popular destination for hiking, skiing, snowshoeing, cycling and enjoying nature.

Greenbelt Trail Map

Here's an All Seasons Trail Map (PDF) showing appropriate paths for skiing, snowshoeing, hiking and cycling. The map is published by the National Capital Commission.
The Greenbelt's an ideal location for enjoying nature and getting some exercise. Hundreds of kilometers of trails crisscross through fields an forests.

Greenbelt Links

See also: Ottawa Green Guide
See also: Ottawa Nature Guide
National Capital Commission: The National Capital Greenbelt
See also: "What's New?"
Outdoor Ottawa: National Capital Greenbelt
City of Ottawa: Greenbelt
Wikipedia: Greenbelt

Map of the Greenbelt from OutdoorOttawa.com Map of the Greenbelt courtesy of OutdoorOttawa.com

A brief history

The idea for a "greenbelt" was first proposed in the 1950's by urban planner Jacques Greber as a strategy to beautify the city, restrain urban sprawl and provide space for farms and government office campuses.
To create the Greenbelt, the Federal Government began acquiring and expropriating land in 1956 stretching from Shirleys Bay in the west to Green's Creek in the east.
The current Greenbelt isn't entirely forest and greenspace. It's mostly forest and wetland, but also field (including the Experimental Farm and privately owned & leased land). Other uses include government buildings, some private campuses, and the Macdonald-Cartier International Airport.
The Greenbelt hasn't prevented urban sprawl, with large urban areas like Barrhaven, Kanata and Orleans thriving beyond the Greenbelt.
The National Capital Commission is officially responsible for managing the Greenbelt lands. 14,950 hectares is owned by the N.C.C. and the remaining land is held by other federal departments or private companies.

Places of interest within the Greenbelt

Adapted from Wikipedia, used here in accordance with terms of Creative Commons.

Green's Creek Conservation Area
A nature reserve of a small tributary of the Ottawa River, cutting through a lush clay valley.
Hornets Nest soccer fields
11 soccer fields and an air-supported dome for indoor soccer.
Pine View Golf Course
36-hole public course
Mer Bleue Conservation Area
33 km² sphagnum peat bog. There are some 20 km of walking trails, including a 1.2 km boardwalk, through a remarkable boreal-like ecosystem normally not found this far south. Stunted black spruce, tamarack, together with bog rosemary, blueberry, and cottongrass, are some of the unusual species that have adapted to the acidic waters of the bog. The Mer Bleue bog (French for Blue Sea) got its name from the autumn morning fogs that make it appear as a blue sea.
Pine Grove Forest
12 km² of mixed-use forest for hiking, wildlife reserve, and forestry.
Conroy Pit
A 1.1 km² site on a former sand/gravel pit off Conroy Road near Hunt Club Road, now used primarily as an off-leash dog park and for tobogganing in the winter. It has several kilometres of urban forest trails and wide open areas. The north end of the pit features a large toboggan hill.
Macdonald-Cartier International Airport
Ottawa's main airport for domestic, international, and general aviation.
Agriculture Canada Research Farms
A 17 km² site for research in animal disease prevention and treatment.
The Log Farm
A a restored homestead from 1857, with guided tours.
Bruce Pit
A second former sand/gravel pit off Cedarview Road between Hunt Club Road and Baseline Road. It is now used as an off-leash dog park, and has a cross-country trail system and a toboggan hill.
Lime Kiln (Trail)
Trail to remains of 19th-century Flood industrial lime kiln.
Stoney Swamp
20 km² of provincially significant wetland, popular for hiking and outdoor recreation.
National Capital Equestrian Park
On Corktown Road, a 270 acre riding school specializing in introductory riding lessons. Also a boarding facility and a world class special event site for local, National and International calibre events.
Ottawa Municipal Campground
Public campground with 300 serviced sites.
The 19th Tee Driving Range
Golf driving range and 18 hole mini-putt park.
Connaught Army Cadet National Summer Training Centre
Military and cadet training centre, also used by private shooting associations.
Shirleys Bay
An important wetland on the Ottawa River, home to migratory birds and water fowl. This location is ideally suited for bird watching.