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4worldlovers: The Capital Pathway is one of the most extensive pathway networks in North America. It includes over 200 kilometres of off-road, multi-use pathways, extending from Gatineau Park, through Ottawa–Gatineau and into the Greenbelt. It connects the Capital’s parks, gardens, museums and attractions.

The network forms a series of unique discovery routes, passing through the city centre, the suburbs, the countryside and wooded areas. It offers a safe and fun way to spend time outdoors, as well as a safe route for commuting.

The Capital Pathway is for everyone: pedestrians, joggers, cyclists, in-line skaters, people with a mobility impairment, skiers, snowshoers and snow bikers.

Share the path. If all pathway users follow a few simple rules, pay attention and communicate with each other, everyone can have fun and get where they’re going safely.

You can walk your leashed dog at any time of year on the Capital Pathway network. Skiing, skating or cycling with your dog is not allowed.

Sections of the Capital Pathway are sometimes closed for maintenance and repairs. Check for closures before you go.

The Capital Pathway network is easily accessible, as it crosses public streets, parks and public spaces throughout the Capital landscape. LRT/bus stations and parking lots also provide access to the pathways.

The Ottawa–Gatineau Cycling Map displays all of the major cycling paths and trails in the National Capital Region, including the Capital Pathway network.

Download an electronic copy of this map, or pick up a hard copy at one of many locations throughout the Capital.

Parking: Free and paid parking is available at many locations along the pathways. With a few exceptions, most NCC-maintained parking lots close for winter in mid-November.

Washrooms and drinking fountains: The washrooms and drinking fountains in NCC-maintained parks are typically open from May to mid-October.

Universal accessibility: From spring to fall, most of the pathways are accessible for people with a mobility impairment. Other than the paths along the Ottawa River, the Gatineau side of the network is very hilly, so it is not recommended. In winter, most of the network is snow-covered and not universally accessible.

The Capital Pathway is a key part of the region’s broader active mobility network. It connects with on-road cycling routes, municipal multi-use pathways, sidewalks, walkways in the Capital’s urban parks, and hiking trails in Gatineau Park and the Greenbelt.

It also links the Capital to hundreds of locations across Canada via the The Great Trail of Canada, which today consists of 27,000 kilometres of multi-use trails. The pathways in the Outaouais are also part of the 5,300-kilometre Route verte network.

During summer, pathway patrollers help ensure that your outing is safe and enjoyable. They can provide directions, information, first aid and emergency care, and basic equipment repairs. Pathway patrollers include the Ottawa Police, Gatineau Police, RCMP and volunteers from the City of Ottawa’s volunteer pathway patrol and Vélo-Services’ volunteer pathway patrol.

Every spring, as soon as the snow melts, the recreational pathways are cleaned and repaired by our maintenance teams to be ready for use. The NCC oversees rehabilitation work on the 236 kilometres of the Capital Pathway network for which it is responsible.

In fall 2020, the NCC approved the Capital Pathway Strategic Plan, which provides a framework for long-term planning and day-to-day management of the multi-use pathway network in Canada’s Capital Region. This 10-year plan presents directions and strategies to make the pathway network the best it can be.

Places where you can get a copy of the Ottawa–Gatineau Cycling Map:

The Capital Information Kiosk (90 Wellington Street, Ottawa, across from Parliament Hill)*

The Maison du tourisme (103 Laurier Street, Gatineau, across from the Canadian Museum of History)*

Ottawa City Hall (110 Laurier Avenue West, Ottawa)*, or at one of the City of Ottawa’s Client Service Centres*

The welcome desk of the Maison du citoyen (25 Laurier Street, Gatineau)*, or at a Ville de Gatineau client service centre* or public library*.

* These sites are not managed by the NCC. Please contact them directly for their hours of operation.