Whether looking for an escape from the hustle and bustle or an outdoor walking spot to enjoy a sunny day, these are the bests ones in Ottawa!
Spots to go for a walk in Ottawa
Walking is an excellent exercise and enjoyable outdoor activity. It helps you lose body fat and maintains a healthy weight. Going for a walk prevents various conditions, including high blood pressure, heart disease, Type-2 diabetes, and cancer, but it also improves your cardiovascular fitness and strengthens your muscles and bones. Here are the best spots to go for a walk in Ottawa.
Major’s Hill Park
Located close to the city’s famous ByWard Market and several other attractions, this Park is a great place to relax at the end of a busy tourism day. It is the first Park created in Ottawa and today one of the most remarkable and popular among residents for almost 200 years.
As in its inception, Major’s Hill Park is the center of city events and events, particularly the annual Canada Day celebrations. Its convenient central location offers some of the best scenery, with spectacular views of Parliament Hill, the Ottawa River, and the Rideau Canal Locks, making it a perfect spot for a morning or evening walk.
Brewer Park
Situated on the north side of the Rideau River, this Park has become a popular recreational spot for students from neighboring Carleton University. The Park was constructed in1954 and renovated in 2006.
Now the central elements of the Park are an impressive swimming pool and an arena for hockey games and skating. The Park is an excellent place for walking, running, and other outdoor activities, such as a family picnic, morning coffee, playground games, football matches, or leisurely yoga classes.
Confederation Park
Located in the city center, Confederation Park plays a crucial role in the city’s various events, including the Winterlude ice sculpture festival, Canada Day celebrations, and the famous annual summer International Jazz Festival.
Opened in 1967 as part of the country’s 100th-anniversary celebration, this Park is now an integral part of the Ottawa tourist itinerary. Here you will find the South African War Memorial and the National Monument to Indigenous Veterans.
The Park has different walking and running trails and paths, allowing locals and tourists to enjoy the picturesque views and improve their health by pumping blood from their hearts. Indeed, it is an excellent place to enjoy morning and evening walks.
Andrew Haydon Park
Another of the city’s coastal parks, Andrew Haydon Park, is located on the banks of the Ottawa River and is surrounded by a pier. Often overlooked, however, this is a worthwhile place with fantastic scenery.
The Park has bicycle paths, walking trails, unique areas for walking dogs, playgrounds thought out to the smallest detail with clean sandpits for toddlers and older children, barbecue tables.
In addition, there is everything you need for relaxation for every taste. Thanks to its proximity to the beach and equipped changing rooms, sunbathers will feel very comfortable in the shade of trees with a book in their hands after a morning walk.
Gatineau Park
Although Gatineau is technically outside the city because it is four kilometers from the center of Ottawa, its status as a regional reserve guarantees the exceptional state of the Park and the presence of several natural sceneries and objects.
So, if you have a car and want to experience a unique walk early in the morning or evening, we recommend visiting this place. In addition, Gatineau Park is home to many plant species, wild animals, including 118 rare or endangered species, and reservoirs of 50 amazing lakes.
In the warm season, locals and tourists appreciate the possibility of walking and cycling. Besides, it has an extensive network of hiking trails, creating conditions for rowing and rock climbing lovers. Without exaggeration, this is an ideal place to relax from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Final Words
Ottawa has awe-inspiring tourist attractions with lush green and natural environments, attracting people worldwide. But do you know the city has some of the best parks that drive locals and tourists to relish outdoor activities, like walking, jogging, running, and exercising? Yes, this is true. Today’s article has given you a list of the best spots for walking in Ottawa.
- Article based on personal opinion, experience and research.
- Photos from Unsplash & canva.