If you're looking for a laid-back way to soak up some nature, this easy boardwalk hike in Ottawa is the perfect outdoor activity.
After all, is there anything more peaceful than a wooden boardwalk trail meandering through gorgeous marshes and woodlands? It's like stepping into a postcard.
Whether you're a seasoned hiker or just looking to get out for a leisurely stroll in nature, this scenic Ottawa walking path offers a refreshing escape from the city. Nestled within the Greenbelt, about halfway between Barrhaven and Kanata, is an extensive network of walking paths and boardwalks winding through forests and marshes.
Jack Pine Trail sits within the Stony Swamp, which is the most ecologically diverse protected area in the Ottawa Valley — making it one of the best places in the capital to see nature in action. Long expansive boardwalks pass over beaver ponds, allowing hikers to see a vast variety of wildlife, including beavers, ducks, frogs and much more.
The trail is divided into three different loops, allowing you to decide how much walking you want to do rather than getting lost and having no choice. The shortest loop is only 700 metres, while the medium loop is 1.7 kilometres and the longest is 2.3 kilometres.
Of course, if you're a big fan of hiking, nothing is stopping you from conquering all three, or forging your own winding path that encompasses pieces of each!
If you're looking for a longer hike, you're in luck because Jack Pine Trail connects with several other trails in the Stony Swamp area. You can link up with the nearby Beaver and Chipmunk trails to make it a 7-kilometre loop, or add in a detour to the Lime Kiln Ruins for an even longer hike — the options are endless.
The trail is comprised of wooden boardwalks as well as standard gravel and dirt paths, meaning it unfortunately doesn't meet universal accessibility standards for wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
Nature lovers planning on embarking on Jack Pine Trail are recommended to start their journey at the NCC parking lot P9, on Moodie Drive about 1.5 kilometres south of Hunt Club Road, for free parking. There are no bathrooms along the trail itself but there are two universal outhouses at the parking lot. Keep in mind that no dogs are allowed on the trail.
Jack Pine Trail
Price: Free
Address: NCC Greenbelt P9, Moodie Dr & NCC 26, Ottawa, ON
Have a great hike, and make sure to bring plenty of bug spray — you're exploring a swamp, after all!
