We cycle this route at least once a year, because it is basically all pathways. We have to add another 12 km to the tour because we live a bit away from this route, but it has its rewards. It has the perfect stop at a beach and/or a coffee and ice cream shop. There are three future (2026) LRT stops along this route, Iris being the most convenient one as the path runs closest to it.
![](https://i0.wp.com/hansonthebike.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/West-End-Ottawa-route-1-1.png?resize=678%2C479&ssl=1)
Part of Ottawa lies inside a greenbelt. This 18 km tour stays in the west end of the area inside the greenbelt. It is a tour that brings you to Bruce Pit, a patch of nature with stands of pine trees, that were partly knocked over by a Derecho (a widespread, long-lived, straight-line wind storm that is associated with a fast-moving group of severe thunderstorms – Wikipedia).
Going further north, you will be passing a hospital, cycling on an old railway route along the Ottawa river and a former cottage area called Britannia Bay with a beach. Stop for a (vegan – delicious) ice cream or coffee at Beechconers ( a play on words).
You’ll continue your route and eventually turn south towards Algonquin College. The area around Lincoln Fields is a mess due to LRT construction, but the pathways are maintained. However, directions are a bit hard to figure out so you may want to download the GPX file. As the construction progresses, the pathways relocate a bit, but that shouldn’t be a problem, just follow the other cyclists.
Careful when crossing the several on and off ramps in the area.
Download the GPX file here: download
West End Trees at Bruce Pit GPX file: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HueReXWxXLqDhRTkqePJdCMhPLvdCcUJ?usp=drive_link