6 breathtaking natural wonders in and near Ottawa you can get to without a car this summer
Ah, there's nothing better than gawking at the majestic works of art by Mother Nature. Unfortunately, so many of the Ottawa Valley's greatest works of natural art are only accessible by car.
Good news though — there are some breathtaking natural wonders in and around Ottawa that you don't need a car to get to. Whether it's a stunning waterfall, a magnificent lookout, turquoise lakes, an island with sandy beaches, or majestic wooded wetlands, you can walk, bike or bus to some of the most stunning places in the area!
There are countless benefits to not bringing your car while sightseeing nature's greatest creations, after all, gas prices are getting more expensive each day. Not to mention that parking is a major hassle, and it can be difficult to find a good parking spot, or even if you do find one, you may find yourself paying an arm and a leg for it.
Without any further delay, here are six breathtaking wonders near Ottawa that you can get to without needing a car.
Pink Lake
Address: Pink Lake, Gatineau Park, Gatineau, QC
Why You Need To Go: Let's address the elephant in the room, no, it's not pink. Instead, it's this gorgeous, greenish and turquoise colour that will make you feel like you're going for a hike in beautiful British Columbia.
There's even a series of wooden staircases and boardwalks that make up a postcard-worthy lookout so you can fully behold the magnificent sights you'll be taking in. It's by far Gatineau Park's prettiest lake, if not the prettiest lake in the entire Ottawa Valley.
Pink Lake is accessible through the free weekend Gatineau Park Shuttle which departs from Pīndigin Park and the Canadian Museum of History every 30 minutes and will take you straight to Pink Lake. Like everywhere else in Gatineau Park, Pink Lake is attached to an expansive network of trails that meanders through the park.
Mud Lake
Address: Britannia Conservation Area, 265 Britannia Rd., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Mud Lake is a piece of pristine and tranquil wetlands that'll make you feel like you're out in the middle of nowhere, far from civilization, but in reality, you don't even need to leave Ottawa! The best part about it is it's quite easy to get to by public transit.
The trails through Mud Lake are magnificent and vary from your everyday gravel trail to stretches of wooden boardwalk so you can walk over the muddiest parts of the wetlands. It's a great place to go if you have a big love of nature.
Mud Lake is home to hundreds of varieties of wildlife that you won't usually find anywhere else. For example, during the summer months, you'll almost most run into wild turkeys, as they often love to navigate the trails.
Champlain Lookout
Address: Champlain Lookout, Champlain Pkwy, Gatineau Park, Luskville, QC
Why You Need To Go: The Champlain Lookout is one of Gatineau Park's crown jewels. Gawk over at the rolling fields, forests, lakes and meandering rivers of the Eardley Escarpment.
Want to know the best part? You don't even need to go on a massive hike to get there because there's a free weekend shuttle from downtown Ottawa and Gatineau. The Gatineau Park Shuttle departs from Pīndigin Park and the Canadian Museum of History and takes passengers to various iconic Gatineau Park landmarks.
If you're a big fan of hiking, Champlain Lookout is connected to an expansive network of trails that connect to many other scenic parts of Gatineau Park.
Wolfe Island
Address: Wolfe Island Ferry, 275 Ontario St., Kingston, ON
Why You Need To Go: Sometimes you just want the peace and quiet of island life, which is why you'll be delighted to know that you can take a two-hour bus ride from Ottawa to downtown Kingston. Ticket prices for a one-way trip to Kingston start at $24 dollars with Megabus.
Once you arrive in downtown Kingston, take the short walk to the Wolfe Island Ferry and enjoy a 20-minute ferry ride to an island paradise. Wolfe Island is a gorgeous island wedged in the middle of the mouth of the St Lawrence.
In the island's main town, Marysville, you'll be able to rent a bike for the whole day (cash only) with Cycle Wolfe Island. Biking is surprisingly one of the best ways to get around the island if you don't have a car, and only a 50-minute ride from Marysville is the beautiful dune beach of Big Sandy Bay.
Rideau Falls
Address: 50 Sussex Dr., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: The gorgeous Rideau Falls overlooking the wide and mighty Ottawa River and the Gatineau skyline is an absolute must-see and is only a short bus ride away from downtown. It's perfect for watching sunsets, and sunrises, or even just enjoying a blue-skied day. The Rideau Falls flow so strongly that as you lean over, you'll feel the mist of the rushing water touch your face.
If you develop a thirst while seeing all the water run, the conveniently located "Tavern on the Falls" is right there. The Tavern has terrace seating that overlooks the falls and features delectable cocktails to sip on while admiring the view.
Hog's Back Falls
Address: 600 Hog's Back Rd., Ottawa, ON
Why You Need To Go: Nestled in the heart of Ottawa's Nepean, along the Rideau River, is Hog's Back Falls, which features charming waterfalls off short cliffs. Hog's Back Park is accessible through public transit and is a great place to go for a stroll or to set down your blanket and indulge in a picnic.
If you're not a huge fan of sitting on the ground, there are picnic benches throughout the park. Hog's Back is a beloved gem in the capital, and is perfect for those times you want to see a waterfall, but don't feel like going too far.
Before you get going, check out our Responsible Travel Guide so you can be informed, be safe, be smart, and most of all, be respectful on your adventure.
