October Hiking

For me, October is the best month for hiking around Ottawa. The stifling humidity of the summer is a distant memory, even the most hardy mosquitoes have succumbed to the cooler temperatures, and the days, while much shorter, crackle with a crisp freshness that invigorates both mind and body.

But best of all, by October the millions of hardwood trees that carpet the hills of the surrounding Canadian Shield and Laurentian Highlands go through their annual transformation from the rich green of summer to the colourful quilt of yellow, orange, and red of fall. This natural tapestry generates wonder and curiousity from even those who never venture into the forest at any other time of the year, and local trails, especially in nearby Gatineau Park, throng with walkers in numbers that are difficult to believe.

Every year, the National Capital Commission hosts the "Fall Rapsody", a celebration of the magic of this remarkable natural transpformation. In 2009, this runs from October 2-18, and includes interpretive events and guided walks. But whether you brave the crowds in Gatineau Park, or venture elsewhere into the equally vibrant, but less well-travelled countryside, October is the month to be on the trails.

Rideau Trail

No book about hiking in the Ottawa area would be complete without reference to the Rideau Trail. At nearly 400-km in length, this heroic route connects the cities of Ottawa and Kingston, working its way through town, field, and forest in between.

And what's more amazing, this path is entirely maintained by volunteers. The Rideau Trail Association is a not-for-profit organization comprising of clubs in Ottawa, Perth, and Kingston. Each of these clubs not only regularly organizes outings - in addition to hiking, they do biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing - but more importantly ensures the usability of the Rideau Trail from end-to-end, bridging streams, clearing downed trees, and posting signage. They even do so where their route passes through provincial parks and the National Capital Commission (NCC) Greenbelt.

As you might expect, the Rideau Trail enjoys a prominent place, and deservedly so, in Hiking Trails of Ottawa. Although I have not attempted to profile it throughout its entire length, which the association does in its own guidebook, I have highlighted several specific sections of the Rideau Trail, and in other instances it makes up a portion of my profiled route.

Within the Greenbelt of the City of Ottawa, the Lime Kiln Loop in Stoney Swamp follows NCC trails for much of its length, but the majority of the route is found on the Rideau Trail. Similarly, the NCC Pathway between Britannia Park and Westboro Beach is also the route of the Rideau Trail. I may call it the "Old Quarry Trail", but this complicated trek not only explores much of the Old Quarry Loop, but several differently numbered NCC trails, the a section of the Ottawa-Carleton Trailway, and a sliver of the Rideau Trail.

Beyond the Greenbelt, the Marlborough Forest - Cedar Grove route is almost entirely on either the main or a secondary section of the Rideau Trail.

But it is in the Frontenac Arch where the Rideau Trail becomes particularly prominent. Two of the profiled routes, in Perth and Westport, are specifically named as being the Rideau Trail. In addition, the Rock Dunder and Marble Mountain, although not on the main trail, were developed and are maintained by the Rideau Trail Association. Finally, the Split Lake Loop in Frontenac Provincial Park, the portion of the Cataraqui Trail near Chaffey Lock that I profile, and the route I selected in Murphy's Point Provincial Park, all share at least some of their distance with the wandering and ubiquitous Rideau Trail.

I encourage all outdoor enthusiasts to learn more about the Rideau Trail Association. Novice hikers, in particular, can benefit by participating in their organized group activities. For more information on the Rideau Trail Association, check out their Website: www.rideautrail.org.

Hidden Treasure: Parcours Louis-Joseph-Papineau

Among experienced hikers, trails are sometimes evaluated purely in terms of their challenge, with the "best" being the most difficult. I cannot agree with this method of grading because some paths, like the Parcours Louis-Joseph-Papineau, offer so much more than just the opportunity to work up a sweat. Of course, at 20-km for a return trip, the parcours may qualify as a good workout as well.

But what is most distinctive about this wonderful trail is the public art distributed throughout its entire length. Dozens of creative pieces, from the delightfully whimsical to the unabashedly bizarre, may be found in the fields and forest bordering the crushed stone path.

And they are designed to be touched. Near the trailhead, sheltered beneath a grove of Hemlocks, sits a big drum. Try to walk past without a test tap or two: can't be done. Less that a kilometre later you will encounter Le Métronome Organique, another piece of musical art. Not every piece generates sounds: I was amused by the sculptures of the big geese, but my favourite La Bibliothèque minérale - a library of stones.

This is no abandoned rail-line. Although wide like a rail-line, the parcours climbs several substantial hills, ending in a viewing platform with a reasonably scenic panorama of the neighbouring river valley and ridge line. This hard-to-find trail is a true hidden gem.

Directions: From the MacDonald-Champlain Bridge, follow Highway 5 to Exit 2 and turn right onto Highway 50, 2-km. Follow Highway 50 to Exit 166, 30-km. Turn left at junction with Highway 315, 600m after exit. Drive 500m to streetlight and junction with Highway 148. Continue straight, then left, following Highway 148 for 33-km to community of Papineauville and junction with Highway 321. Turn left, and continue for 13-km to Saint-André-Avellin.

Entrance to parking area is dirt lane on left immediately past the Bar Chez Max and opposite the Depanneur du Village, 39 rue Principale. Trailhead is set back from road about 50m.

Trailhead: N45°43”13.1’ W75°03”28.8'