This is a suburban route of 20 km which is likely more popular with locals who go for a ride close to home than with tourists.
However, sometimes the popular routes can get very busy and this is a nice alternative to see a part of Ottawa where people live and work. It includes allotment gardens where people grow their vegetables, a denser neighbourhood (for Ottawa standards) with more public space with pathways and parks running through it and an example of an outdated suburban shopping mall that will see a lot more additional housing (half a dozen towers) in future years. Just off the route is the Billings Estate, that allows you a glimpse in the life of the very early settlers of the Billings family.
Fun fact is that the South Keys mall area has no residents, but a group of passionate people nearby has set up a group called Better South Keys to monitor the creation of a livable public spaces for future residents. They are also working with the local city councillor to make the remaining 1 km on road cycling of the route safer for cycling.
After the tracks, you’ll cycle past storm water ponds towards Hog’s Back Falls and the Rideau River and Vincent Park, with picnic tables and washrooms.
You could consider a stop at Mooney’s Bay for a swim at the public beach and a bite at the picnic tables.
Download the GPX file here: download
Alta Vista and Greenboro GPX file: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1KzDbEbXXNdxaiQzWLCFNn-LbGMsRoba7?usp=drive_link