Please complete your profile to unlock commenting and other important features.

User AvatarBuild your avatar
Please select your date of birth for special perks on your birthday. Your username will be your unique profile link and will be publicly used in comments.
Narcity Pro

This is a Pro feature.

Time to level up your local game with Narcity Pro.

Pro

$5/month

$40/year

  • Everything in the Free plan
  • Ad-free reading and browsing
  • Unlimited access to all content including AI summaries
  • Directly support our local and national reporting and become a Patron
  • Cancel anytime.
For Pro members only Pro
Summary

Ottawa’s Secret Forest Hike Is A Fall Paradise Everyone Needs To Experience

The views are even better this season.🍂
Ottawa Hike To A Secret Fall Paradise Need To Be On Your Bucket List
mlawczys | Instagram taliazaidi | Instagram
Staff Writer

You don't need to head to Gatineau Park to enjoy the colourful leaves. This Ottawa hike is a fall paradise, and it is right in the city.

South March Highlands Conservation Forest is 457 hectares of forest that many locals don't know exists.

It is a sprawling area filled with towering trees in fiery shades and small bodies of water.

Editor's Choice: 9 Actual Things You Can Buy From The Government Of Canada Right Now

Inside there are plenty of paths to pick from, but if you want one that is beginner-friendly, try the Rockhopper Trail.

The short 2.9-kilometres loop is a peaceful stroll with incredible sights that will take you roughly 50 minutes round trip.

But before you enter, you'll put on your hiking boots as you'll need to walk over roots and rocks at times.

For those of you craving a picture-perfect fall day away from the crowds, grab your pumpkin spice latte and find this hidden gem.

South March Highlands Conservation Forest

Price: Free

Address: South March Highland Trails, Ottawa, ON

Why You Need To Go: Walking around here feels like entering one of the Group Of Seven paintings; it is just so beautiful.

Website

Before you get going, check our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your trip.

OttawaCanadaThings To DoThings To Do
  • Stephanie White
    Stephanie White was an Ottawa-based Associate Editor for Narcity Canada. She has been writing mouthwatering food and wanderlust-inspiring articles for Canadians since 2012. She has a B.A. and B.Ed. from Ottawa University. When she isn't writing, you can find her travelling the globe and trying new restaurants. Stephanie has previously been published on Insider, Flight Network, Apartment Therapy, Faces Magazine, Daily Hive, Dished and The Spruce.

8 romantic fall dates around Ottawa to enjoy with your boo for $30 or less

The perfect fall date doesn't have to cost a lot. 🧡🎃

10 beautiful fall destinations every Ontarian should visit at least once, according to locals

How many of these stunning spots have you been to? 🍂

This fall hike near Ottawa takes you to a waterfall and stone ruins hidden in a golden forest

It's a must-do hike for fall. 🍂

7 majestic waterfall hikes near Ottawa that are even more beautiful in the fall

Catch them before the season ends. 🍂

You could get $200 from this new government benefit in December — Here's how to apply

New approvals could come with back pay worth up to $1,200!

The Canada Strong Pass is back for a limited time — Here's everything you can get for free

It starts this week!

Highway 407 ETR rates are going up in 2026 but some Ontario drivers can get free trips

Some tolls will be over $1 per kilometre, depending on where you're driving.

Some travellers from Canada to the US could soon have to share 5 years of social media history

Plus old email addresses, family members' personal info and more. 😳

CSIS has these jobs available in Canadian cities and you can make up to $129,000

Some positions don't require a university degree.

Parts of southern Ontario are forecast to get up to 50 cm from snow squalls by the weekend

"Expect significant delays and possible road closures."

A tiny island 6 hours from Toronto ranked among the top destinations for Canadians in 2026

It's got turquoise waters, sugary sand and even a "drive-in volcano." 🌊

Geminid meteor shower is happening this weekend and you could see fireballs in Canada

Here are tips for viewing one of the best meteor showers of the year in Toronto, Vancouver, and more cities.

Costco, Walmart or Loblaws? Here's which store has the cheapest holiday chocolates

We compared prices of classics like Turtles, Quality Street, and more. 🎄