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

The views are even better this season.🍂
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.

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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.

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.

  • 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.

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