Five Fall Favourites

I have never understood why people talk about summer as the best time to get outdoors. For me, hiking has always been most enjoyable in the fall; the temperatures are more moderate, the air is clearer, and most importantly: no mosquitoes!

Even in September you can observe the first change in colour in the leaves of the hardwoods. The National Capital Commission's Fall Rhapsody festival does not begin until early October, but here are five recommendations for fall hiking.

King Mountain: Climbing to the top of a knoll on the Eardley Escarpment in Gatineau Park, this trail provides panoramic vistas of the Ottawa River Valley as well as excellent views of the predominantly hardwood canopy of the surrounding parklands. The 6.5km route description found on pg. 83 of Hiking Trails of Ottawa should be a pleasant, if occasionally challenging, 2-3 hour walk for most people.

Wakefield to Lac Brown: Climbing to the top of the hills overlooking Wakefield, this hike is the perfect fall excursion for those who like a little effort and have healthy knees. This 9.5km route, found on pg. 175, contains a difficult climb at its start and near the end, but takes you to a pleasant picnic site beside a small lake, or the chance for a meal in Wakefield afterwards at one of the village's many restaurants.

Murphys Lake Provincial Park: Although I enjoy climbing hills for their expansive view, in the fall, being surrounded by trees while you walk is an unquestioned delight. This 7.5km route, passing beside a lake, a river, and through interesting archaeological exhibits, should make a quite enjoyable weekend excursion for the casual outdoor enthusiast at any time of year. It may be found on pg. 264.

Manitou Mountain: Ascending Dillion Mountain on the shores of Calabogie Lake, the Manitou Mountain Trail features numerous lookouts with expansive views of the lower, surrounding countryside. But be warned, this 11.5km trek more is suitable for advanced hikers, as it requires both a good fitness level and competent navigation skills, especially when falling leaves carpet its indistinct footpath. The route description is found on pg. 200.

Pine Grove Forestry Trail: What path could be more ideal in the fall, when the glory of the forest's display captures so many imaginations? This 6km route, located in Ottawa's Greenbelt, is ideal for young children and novices, both because of its relatively level and wide pathway and because of its many interpretive panels, provided by the Eastern Ontario Model Forest, which helps identify many of the tree species found along the route. The route description is on pg. 46.

Recommendation: Ottawa River Pathway East

I am regularly asked to name my favourite trail. My response varies, but I never limit my answer to a single path. This is probably unsatisfying to the questioner, yet it honestly reflects my opinion. I value the experience on too many trails to pick just one.

There are, however, some places that I enjoy more than others, and one of these is the Ottawa River Pathway east of Rockcliffe Park. Some might be surprised by this choice - especially those who know of my penchant for rugged hill climbs. Yet this path is one that I find myself regularly returning to, and one where I always seem to enjoy the experience.

I find this to be just such a pleasant walk. The Pathway traces the Ottawa River from Rockcliffe to Orleans, situated on a raised bank slightly above water level. (City maintained paths extend the trail to Petrie Island.) Amazingly, considering that Ottawa-Gatineau is the 4th - or 5th now - largest urban area in Canada, there are almost no human structures visible from the trail. No other city in North America can boast of such a long stretch of protected public space on a major river. This is a treasure, and few residents, I think, understand how lucky they are to have it.

The Ottawa River Pathway not a rugged footpath. Rather it is road-wide and surfaced in crushed stone, making it ideal for cyclists, who often ride this route. Walkers need to ensure that they stay on the right side of the trail, and that they do not spread out and block the trail. When strolling with children, be particularly cautious, because cyclists are often moving rather quickly and the unpredictable movements of children can create a potentially serious situation.

This trail is monitored by the Ottawa Pathway Patrol, and the National Capital Commission has cell phones available for loan at the Aviation Museum, which is a good place to start your walk, especially if you choose to access the trail by transit.

There is so much about this path that I enjoy that this could become a very long post. So I will limit myself to two items that make this worthy of recommendation. First, it features the very best scenic view of the Ottawa River available from a trail, a west-facing lookout at the mouth of Green Creek, less than one kilometer from Orleans. At sunset, it is often simply stunningly beautiful. But expect the bench to be full already; many appreciate this spot.

The second is that the Ottawa River Pathway is an enjoyable walk at any time of year. Although many people think of summer, with its heat, humidity, and insects, as the time of year to walk, I prefer fall and winter. And on this path, winter can be a delight. The trail is not groomed for skiers, but they come in large numbers anyway, where they share the path with snowshoers and walkers.

So the Ottawa River Pathway receives my highest recommendation, and although I might not call it my "favourite", it certainly is a trail that I always enjoy. I hope you do as well.

Error in First Printing - Acknowledgements

The production of a book like Hiking Trails of Ottawa is a complex procedure. There are literally thousands of facts that need to be confirmed and checked. Information in the route description needs to agree with what is on the map, Websites in the Bibliography must be the same as those listed with each trail, each map must have all correct references, and on and on.

In an effort to as accurate as possible, before printing the author sees the work at least three times, many of the route descriptions were reviewed by the trail management authority, an editor reviews the initial manuscipt, a separate individual reviews the revised manuscript, and several other pairs of eyes scan various sections. The process, between submission of the manuscript and printing, requires several months.

Even so errors are possible - indeed, almost inevitable - in a volume this complex. Usually they are found with seeming ridiculous ease by purchasers of the book almost as soon as the book goes on sale. In most cases, the errors are relatively minor, and are quietly corrected when the book is reprinted.

Sometimes, however, something occurs that demands special attention. In the case of Hiking Trails of Ottawa, this has been the accidental printing of an earlier version of the Acknowledgements. While this has little to do with the accuracy of the information throughout the book, the Acknowledgements are the author's (my) opportunity to express gratitude to those who helped me produce the book. When I wrote the first version of the Acknowledgements, late in 2009, it was before the National Capital Commission had decided to assist with the preparation of the maps for the 22 routes on their properties, before they had agreed to host the launch at the InfoCentre on Wellington Street, and before I had had the opportunity to work more closely with many of their staff, who reviewed my writing looking for errors and participated in other ways. Without the National Capital Commission's assistance, Hiking Trails of Ottawa would have been a different book.

So, although the correct Acknowledgements will appear in the next printing of Hiking Trails of Ottawa, I would like to present it here as well. Once again, I wish to extend my thanks to all of those who assisted me when I worked on this book. The full list of names would exceed 100, and I apologize for not mentioning you all.

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There are so many people who provided me with information and feedback that would be impossible to name them all without missing a good number. For example, representatives from each one of the provincial parks and municipal trails reviewed my draft text for errors or omissions, as did volunteers from the Macnamara Nature Trail, Glengarry Trails, Rideau Trail, and several other groups. Regrettably, I do not have a complete list of names of those who participated in this exercise, but through them I received many constructive comments and excellent suggestions that improved this book. Thank you for helping me make Hiking Trails of Ottawa far better than I could on my own.

Some individuals, of course, require special mention. Ron Hunt, President of the Rideau Trails Association, hiked with me (never easy), discussed the text over numerous coffee meetings, and offered encouragement every step of the way. Gershon Rather, a trail coordinator, now retired, for the Greenbelt, provided me with considerable information on less-known trails in the region. Rob Clipperton, long-time host on CBC Radio’s In Town and Out, let me speak about the region’s trails on his program for five years, until budget cuts ended my regular segments. Elina Farmanova, a special friend, refused to permit me to give up the project, although I several times came close.

The National Capital Commission (NCC), and its excellent staff, deserves to be singled out for special mention. Not only did individuals from the Greenbelt, Capital Pathways, and Gatineau Park divisions participate in reviewing my text, but staff prepared maps for all the routes located on NCC properties, and they offered to host the launch at the Capital Infocentre on Wellington Street opposite Parliament Hill. Some of these people I can name: Heather Newson, Martine Lavergne, François Leduc, Jean Charbonneau, François Cyr, Claude Vincent, Brian Gravelle. Many others whose names I do not know were doubtless involved; you have my thanks.

Finally, I would be unforgivably remiss if I did not acknowledge the debt I owe to the publisher, Goose Lane. Susanne, Akou, and Julie have been tremendously supportive, undeservedly flexible, and infinitely patient, as I muddled my way towards completion. Their trust and encouragement deserves my unreserved thanks. Thanks also to Charles Stuart, the editor, for his assistance in making my initial draft into something publishable.