Bridlewood to Britannia and Return Hybrid & E-Bikeable Route

This is the first of my hybrid & e-bikeable routes to be posted on my GPS Trail Maps website.

This is an enjoyable 38 kilometre route that is almost entirely on paths (or easy gravel/dirt trails) with only a few blocks of connecting roads in a couple of places. Much of it is through forested land in the Greenbelt.

The Maps (Double Click to Enlarge Full Size)

The Route
PRELIMINARY NOTE: This reads more complicated than it is. Once you are on the route it is quite intuitive.

The route starts in Bridlewood along Equestrian Drive (not far from the Real Canadian Superstore parking lot on Eagleson Road) where the large hydro line crosses the street.

You start by going up the hill that comes out at the the sidewalk and along a paved path that becomes gravel. It follows the large hydro line east, crossing a couple of streets, until it reaches the entrance to NCC Trail 24 to the left heading north.

This is a wide gravel and dirt forest access road, Turn left and follow it north (passing another wide access road to the right) until you intersect with the old railway right of way (now the Ottawa-Carleton Trailway and part of the Trans-Canada Trail), a wide gravel and stone dust path.

Turn right heading northeast on the Trans-Canada trail and cross the trestle over Robertson Road, then go the left and then west for a short distance before heading north on the Greenbelt Pathway. There will be a gate blocking motorized traffic and a farm field along both sides.

The gravel Greenbelt Pathway travels through wooded areas and crosses Timm Drive before going underneath the Queensway and crossing Corkstown Road. It continues until it intersects the paved Watts Creek Pathway at the bottom of a hill.

At this point you can choose to take a shorter 22 kilometre route if you wish by turning left and heading north on the Watts Creek Pathway until you come to an intersection and the path goes left, west under the rail line. If you wish to do that skip ahead to (Shorter Route Continues Here).

To continue to Britannia turn right heading east on the Watts Creek Pathway and continue to Moodie Drive.

Cross Moodie Drive and follow the path alongside a field and across Corkstown Road. The path then stays near the Queensway going east until it veers away and comes out at Holly Acres Road.

At Holly Acres Road use a dedicated cycling crossing and continue to Carling Avenue where you cross at another dedicated cycling crossing. At that point go right following the Ottawa River Pathway northeast along the Ottawa River until you reach Britannia Beach.

At this point I usually ride around the pier and along the edge of the grassy area by the river before rejoining the Watts Creel Pathway heading back southwest towards Moodie Drive.

After you cross Moodie Drive divert from the original route by going right, north on the paved path and take the first left, west on a gravel path. Follow the gravel path, staying left at intersections till you come to an open area where you can see the Watts Creek Pathway ahead and a partially open gate to the right. At this point we go off “official” paths for a short distance.

If you do not want to leave the official paths, skip the next paragraph and continue straight to the Watts Creek Pathway and turn right heading west. Continue on the paved path until you come to an intersection and the path goes left, southwest under the rail line.

To continue on the planned route go right through the gate heading west and follow the trail through grassy and wooded areas till you come to a fence, Go left along the fence a very short distance until you can access the wide gravel path, Go left on the wide gravel path until you come to the paved Watts Creek Pathway and go right heading northeast until you come to an intersection and the path goes left, southwest under the rail line.

(Shorter Route Continues Here)

At this point you go under the rail line and continue to follow the Watts Creek Pathway over a creek and rail line till it ends at the top of a hill looking down where the paved path continues under March Road. Follow the path under the road and between houses and alongside a field till you get to Teron Road, At this point we are on a short road ride, Go left, south on Teron Road and cross Campeau Drive and continue till you have to turn right going southwest. Along this stretch that parallels the Queensway you will alternate between short local roads and paths through little parks till you get to a storm-water management pond.

You can leave the planned route here if you wish and ride around the pond.

On your left (from the original approach) will be a pedestrian/cycle overpass across the Queensway. Cross over that and continue southeast along Whitney Drive to Katimavik Road.

Cross Katimavik Road and take the middle pathway that runs southeast along a parkland corridor. You will cross a street and go up a hill to an intersection in the path. Go left and then right and right again around the schoolyard and come out on Chimo Drive.

Now we are on the road again for a couple of blocks. Go right, southwest uphill on Chimo Drive then go left on Anik Way which becomes Pickford Drive, Follow Pickford Drive for about two blocks southeast till you come to the parkland corridor again and take the path southeast along the parkland corridor, You will cross several streets until you reach Pickford Drive again. Go left on Pickford Drive and then right on Irwin Gate and continue till you get to Hazeldean Road.

Cross Hazeldean Road onto Carbrooke Street and turn left into the Hazeldean Mall parking lot. Drive through the parking lot till you come out at Abbeyhill Drive. (The reason to go through the parking lot is to get a 4-Way Stop at Abbeyhill Drive.) Turn left on Abbeyhill Drive and proceed to Eagleson Road.

It is best to dismount at Eagleson and cross the road via the pedestrian crosswalk.

On the other side of Hazeldean Road is a dirt/gravel path. Take it and turn right at the intersection. Continue until you reach Shetland Park where the path becomes paved and continues southeast alongside the small Bridlewood hydro line crossing the Trans-Canada Trail (old railway right of way). You will intersect with the large Bridlewood hydro line you started on. Turn right and go southwest until you reach the beginning of the route.

Hopefully you will have had an enjoyable ride.

Altitude Profile

Slide Show       Viewing Slide Show Full Screen Recommended
GPS gpx Files

The gpx file for this route (and other routes and trail systems) can be downloaded by clicking the link below:

GPX files - Google Docs

If you do download the gpx file please email me at richardw.woodley@gmail.com and let me know so that I have an idea of how many people are downloading and using the files.

Posted 2017-06-01

Bridlewood, Bruce Pit & Britannia Loop Hybrid & E-Bikeable Route

This is a pleasant 40 km bike ride mostly through paved paths in green corridors as well as some forest trails and suburban streets. 

 

Route Description and Directions with Detailed Maps

PRELIMINARY NOTE: This reads more complicated than it is. Once you are on the route it is mostly intuitive.

Map 1

The first portion of this ride is primarily along forest trails.

You start along Equestrian Dr. across from Pony Park (which is across from the Real Canadian Superstore between Eagleson Rd. and Equestrian Dr.) and go up the hill onto the pathway following it past a school and along along the large hydro line and continue to the end. Then turn left onto the wide portion of Trail 24 and continue till you meet the wide trail to the right (still Trail 24) and follow it to Bells Corners. You come out a housing complex parking lot.

Map 2

This portion of the route is along suburban streets.

At the parking lot go right and follow Forester Cres. around to Seyton Dr. and go right to Old Richmond Rd. (across from the Mosque) then go left and follow the first right onto Moodie Dr. in a semi-circle. Take the first left and follow Anwatin St. to the end, then go left and follow Sycamore Dr. to the end, then go right and follow Longwood Ave. to the end. Go left on Ridgefield Cres. and take the first right, Evergreen Dr. and the first left, Delta St., then turn right on Stinson Ave. At the end of Stinson Ave. ride onto the pathway near Bell High School going right onto Bruin Ln. and left onto Bruin Rd. Continue across Cassidy Rd. and over Hwy. 416 to the path by Bruce Pit.

Map 3

This next section is primarily on paved paths through green corridors through parks or behind houses.

After crossing over Hwy 416 turn right then left past the parking lot then keep right until you come to the paved pathway on the left. Follow the pathway through a green corridor crossing McClellan Rd continuing till you get to Canfield Rd. Turn right and follow Canfield Rd. until it crosses Greenbank Rd. and becomes Craig Henry Dr. Continue until just before Shoreham Ave. where you turn left onto a paved pathway. Follow the pathway through parks and along a green corridor crossing Centrepointe Dr. Twice, until you make a 90 degree left turn.

Map 4

This section follows green corridors along Pinecrest Creek and the Ottawa River and goes alongside the equestrian park.

After the 90 degree left continue north (you will be running parallel to Algonquin College on the right). At Navaho Dr. take a short jog to the left and then right and continue north along the Pinecrest Creek Pathway crossing Baseline Rd, Iris St., going under Hwy 417, Carling Ave., and Richmond Rd. Continue to the Ottawa River Pathway and turn left onto the pathway and continue past Mud Lake and Britannia Park. Continue to Carling Ave., beside the water park, and cross Carling Ave and continue south on the Watts Creek Pathway. Cross Holly Acres Rd. on to Aero St. And immediately go left back onto the pathway and continue riding parallel to Hwy 417 until you cross Corkstown Rd. Continue around a field till you cross Moodie Dr. and continue on the Watts Creek Pathway until you see a dirt path on the left, going up hill. That is the Greenbelt Pathway West.

Map 5

This section is primarily along forest trails.

Turn left and go up the hill following the Greenbelt Pathway, cross Corkstown Rd. and go under Hwy. 417 and continue until you cross Timm Drive. Continue and cross to the right over Robertson Rd. on the old railway trestle. Continue until you come to a 4 way intersection with a wide trail on the left (Trail 24) and follow that to the end were you turn right onto the large hydro line and continue to the start point on Equestrian Dr,. across from Pony Park.

Hopefully you will have had an enjoyable ride.

Altitude Profile

Slide Show 

I plan to add a slide show to this route, probably in the Spring of 2024

GPS gpx Files

The gpx file for this route (and other routes and trail systems) can be downloaded by clicking the link below:

 GPX files - Google Docs

If you do download the gpx file please email me at richardw.woodley@gmail.com and let me know so that I have an idea of how many people are downloading and using the files.

Posted 2023-10-13

Britannia, Ottawa River, Rideau Canal, Experimental Farm, Pinecrest Creek Pathways Hybrid & E-Bikeable Route

This 33.8 km loop, which follows the Ottawa River, Eastern Rideau Canal, Experimental Farm and Pinecrest Creek pathways can be combined with the Bridlewood to Britannia 37.7 km loop for a longer loop of 71.5 km.

The Maps
(Double Click to Enlarge Full Size)

The Route

PRELIMINARY NOTE: This reads more complicated than it is. Once you are on the route it is quite intuitive.

Starting at the pier at Britannia Park you follow the Ottawa River Pathway past Westboro Beach, the Chief William Commanda Bridge, and the National War Museum. Be sure to follow the solid yellow lines as you go under the Ottawa River Parkway and Wellington Street and then continue past the Parliament Buildings (up above) to the Rideau Canal.

At the canal you will have a granny gear ride up the hill. After you go under Wellington Street you will have two staircases to walk your bike down along a wheel ramp provided along the side of the steps. After you pass the National Arts Centre keep your eye open for the path on the right that takes you up to the Rideau Canal Eastern Pathway. Follow the pathway to Dow’s Lake where you go behind Canadian Forces Reserve Barrack Dow's Lake (HMCS Carleton) and continue to the next set of locks across from Carleton University.

At the locks go right and follow the road across Prince of Wales Drive onto the Experimental Farm. Turn right at Morningside Lane and left at Cow Lane and continue along the Experimental Farm Pathway. When you get to Fisher Avenue you have to go right a short bit till you continue along the Experimental Farm Pathway on the left. You will have a long (but not steep) annoying climb till you get to Merivale Road and then there will be a relatively steep downhill just before Maitland Avenue.

After you cross Woodroffe Avenue by the fire station you join the Pinecrest Creek Pathway. Follow the pathway till you get to Iris Street and cross over to the left side of the transitway and continue along the Pinecrest Creek Pathway till you join the Ottawa River Pathway and go left back to Britannia.

Hopefully you will have had an enjoyable ride.

Altitude Profile

Slide Show

   Viewing Slide Show Full Screen Recommended

GPS gpx Files

The gpx file for this route (and other routes and trail systems) can be downloaded by clicking the link below:

GPX files - Google Docs

If you do download the gpx file please email me at richardw.woodley@gmail.com and let me know so that I have an idea of how many people are downloading and using the files.

Posted 2021-07-31