This rail trail network near Ottawa takes you through quaint villages and scenic countryside

Looking for fun and unique things to do in Ottawa this summer?

You may not know that you can discover the hidden gems of the Ottawa Valley on an expansive network of rail trails that let you explore the charming villages and picturesque countryside of the National Capital Region by bicycle.

These trails offer a peaceful escape from busy, high-speed rural roads, allowing even the most nervous cyclists to safely get to destinations like Arnprior, Osgoode and Smiths Falls while enjoying a scenic and quiet ride. In fact, they act as a sort of network of highways for anything that isn't a car, making for the perfect summer day trip from Ottawa.

When an old railroad gets decommissioned, it'll often remain abandoned for decades, forever unused — but that's not the only option for the fate of an old abandoned railway. Rail trails are the product of an old railroad's rotting wood and metal being cleaned up and replaced with a wide gravel or paved path to create an extensive multi-use pathway.

These trails often stray from roads and cut right through farmland, forests, villages, towns and cities, just like their railway predecessors. This means you can bike right through small towns, take a break, explore a little bit and then keep on keeping on your cycling adventure.

You also won't find any steep hills or sharp bends, making them perfect for a peaceful, casual ride for all fitness and skill levels.

It's up to you where you want to start your bikeventure, and whether you'll mount your trusty bike onto your car and drive out to a specific stretch of trail or start your trip in our nation's capital. If you do choose to kick your journey off in Ottawa, you'll have three choices.

The 98-kilometre Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail, starting near Blackburn Hamlet, leads east toward the small Quebec town of Rigaud, passing through the quaint villages of Bourget, Plantagenet and Vankleek Hill — where you can stop in at Beau's Brewery or Vankleek Hill Vineyard for a well-earned refreshment.

If you're looking to connect to the vast trail network heading west across the country, your best bet is to get onto the Ottawa-Carleton Trailway in Bells Corners. This former railway is a 30-kilometre stretch of the Trans-Canada Trail, leading you through Stittsville out to Carleton Place, from where you can connect to another rail trail that goes north to Almonte, Arnprior and Pembroke or south to Smiths Falls.

Last but not least is the 18-kilometre Osgoode Link Pathway, which starts at Earl Armstrong Road and heads south to the quaint village of Osgoode. This rail trail actually connects directly to the O-Train's new Line 2 extension, meaning that once open, you'll be able to hop right on the trail from the new Bowesville Station.