Rideau Winter Trail
In 2019, Rideau Sports Centre CEO Nicki Bridgland, Councillor Mathieu Fleury and then-Councillor Tobi Nussbaum, arranged a single groom of a trail along the Rideau River, by the Adawe footbridge.
Last year 2020, this group (with Councillor Rawlson King replacing former Councillor Nussbaum and the addition of Overbrook resident Peter Nor) ran a pilot of weekly grooms from mid-January to early March. With the support of the City of Ottawa, this 3 km loop ran between the Rideau Sports Centre and the 417, and was well received by users.
The Rideau Winter Trail of Ottawa, a not-for-profit, was officially established in November 2020. Nicki Bridgland, Councillors Fleury and King and Board Chair Peter Nor are supported by an ever expanding group of community volunteers.
This free expanded trail runs from the Rideau Sports Centre on Donald Street to Hurdman and now offers 9 kms of winter fun for cross country skiing (skate and classic), snow-shoeing, fat biking and walking.
For more information, please visit https://linktr.ee/RideauWinterTrail.
Grooming Information
Rideau Winter Trail Groomed Area: Rideau Sports Centre (1 Donald Street) south to Highway 417. The groomed area for x-country skiing is marked in black marker in this photo.
“Bike path” is groomed/compacted for fat bike, snow shoe, walkers. The 2.5km meandering loop on the “grassy area” is set for classic and skate skiers.
Grooming will occur x1 per week for 10 weeks, typically on a Thursday or Friday (weather dependent) – so that trail is in peak condition for weekend users!