Presentation - November 19 - Orleans

On November 19, at 7pm, I will be doing a presentation about Hiking Trails of Ottawa at the fall information open house of the Petrie Island Outdoors Club.

Representatives from the club will speak until 7:30. Then I will do a 45 minutes slide show about the trails found in Hiking Trails of Ottawa and how the book was organized and structured. This will be followed by a Question-and-Answer session and refreshments.

Location: Room 340 at the Orleans Client Service Centre, 255 Centrum Boulevard.

Refreshments will be provided. Seating is limited. To reserve your seat please email listpioc@gmail.com.

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.