This is not a "blog" in the sense of a daily journal but a place for me to post GPS trail maps of mountain biking and hiking trails, particularly but not exclusively, in the western Greenbelt in Ottawa, Ontario.
Hybrid & E-Bikeable Routes and National Capital Region Cycling Routes and Resources are also included on this site,
Date codes do not reflect actual posting dates but are manipulated to allow me to order the posts in a thematic order.
This website was originally intended to just include maps of the Greenbelt trails within Ottawa but as I rode other trails I decided to include them as well, including the South March Highlands (SMH) trails.
Since before the creation of the City of Kanata in 1978 there have been concerns raised about the proposed development of Ottawa’s most bio-diverse natural area, the South March Highlands. We will look at these concerns at the end of this post.
(click on all maps to enlarge images)
The South March Highlands is home to the most natural and technical mountain biking trails within the City of Ottawa that are considered to be amongst the ten best mountain biking trails in Canada. The extensive trail network includes trails on city-owned land as well as trails on private land slated for development. The Ottawa Mountain Bike Association (OMBA) maintains a sustainable trail network within the City-owned South March Highlands Conservation Forest, for which the City is now developing a management plan.
My comments, concerns and submissions about the South March Highlands Conservation Forest Management Plan can be read on my blog,The Fifth Column.
Historical Maps of the South March Highlands/Kanata Lakes Trails
Latest OMBA Map 2013
More detailed maps of the different parts of the SMH trail system follow this post.
GPS gpx Files
The gpx file for this trail system (and other trail systems) can be downloaded by clicking the link below:
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.
South March Highlands (SMH) Development Proposals
The Map below puts these trails within the context of the rest of the South March Highlands and the destruction planned for it.
The key things to know about the South March Highlands are:
• it is a popular all year recreation destination for people from all over Ottawa and an international mountain biking destination
• while, within the City of Ottawa, it feels like wilderness when you are in it
• it is a candidate Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (ANSI)
• it is the most biodiverse area within Ottawa
• it is the home to a huge number of species of flora and fauna, including many endangered and threatened species
• it contains old growth forests and provincially significant wetlands
• it includes Canadian Shield geology and other significant geological features
• it is the site of numerous pre-contact (pre-European) archaeological sites and may be eligible for UN World Heritage Site status
• it has been declared sacred by Algonquin First Nations chiefs and elders
• the area considered the most environmentally significant, Trillium Woods, is under great ecological threat because KNL's development plans will cut it off from the rest of the city-owned Conservation Forest
• while the privately owned land north of the city-owned Conservation Forest is zoned Environmental Protection, that has been proven not to be enough to protect the land from the threat of development
But the most important thing that you need to know about the South March Highlands is that it is one ecosystem and harm to one part of it harms all of it and if you want to protect part of it you must protect all of it.
You can read my concerns about the development of the South March Highlands on my blog, The Fifth Column.
Updated
in September 2016 to include the Shadows Ridge Trail and a new
offshoot from Trillium Woods Trail and in October 2016 to include a
newly discovered trail that crosses over Shadow's Ridge Trail and
some other new trail sections.
The clearcut and destruction of the Beaver Pond Forest by KNL/Urbandale means that the dirt mountain biking trails such as the Lost and Found trails, behind the Goulbourn Forced Road (GFR) parking lot in the South March Highlands (SMH), will be destroyed forever. The land is already posted with No Trespassing signs and most of the access is fenced off awaiting blasting for the construction of roads and ticky tacky subdivision houses.
Fortunately the lands north of the rail line are in the protected city-owned Trillium Woods. The Trillium Woods Trail is comprised of natural dirt trails west of GFR, including a trail up to Terry Fox Drive providing access to the SMH Conservation Forest trails, also on protected city-owned land. The Trillium Woods Trail is a beginner level mountain biking trail.
The Trillium Woods Trail continues on the east side of GFR where it is primarily a gravel path that previously connected to the path from the Beaver Pond parking lot to the GFR parking lot as well as to a path along the rail line.
The section of Trillium Woods Trail from near the bridge on the gravel path southwest to GFR is also a dirt trail but is usually very muddy in sections in the spring and after heavy rainfalls, although not during the summer of 2016
Within Trillium Woods, on both sides of Goulbourn Forced Road, is a new purpose-built intermediate level mountain biking trail, Shadow's Ridge, built by the Ottawa Mountain Bike Association (OMBA) in co-operation with the City of Ottawa. This trail was just completed in September 2016.
The gravel path from the Beaver Pond parking lot to the GFR parking lot follows a narrow corridor. Although this is a just a gravel path it does have it's challenges due to several hills, including some very steep sections (see altitude profile below).
The connections between the Trillium Woods Trail and the Beaver Pond Trail were originally fenced off by the developer with no trespassing signs. However vigilante residents had opened up the connections, including cutting through the wire gate at one point.
Since then development of the area has come to a standstill as the developer deals with a flawed storm water management plan (that depended on two provincially significant wetlands) as well as other conditions of the subdivision agreement that they failed to meet.
The fencing has since been removed and all the trails on these maps are now continuous and open, at least for the foreseeable future. However the Lost and Found Trails are mostly destroyed and what is left is behind fences and No Trespassing signs.
GPS Files
The gpx file for this trail system (and other trail systems) can be downloaded by clicking the link below:
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.
Photos
I hope to add photos or slide shows to each of the specific trail sections above in the future.
My first experience with the Marlborough Forest was in trying to follow the Rideau Trail through the forest and map it with my GPS. I started following it with the Rideau Trail map along the forest roads till it went off onto single track and almost immediately became a messy mud hole with signs of some kind of tractor or ATV traffic. It was clearly not rideable and an unsustainable route. I then decided to just start by mapping the forest roads.
The closest access point to Kanata is along Kettles Road south of Richmond, near the rail line not far from the South end of Munster Road. There is also a small parking area at the end of O'Neil Road and a large parking lot along Roger Stevens Drive.
Over several days I followed all the interconnecting roads starting from Kettles Road. There may be other roads in the forest that do not connect to these roads. The roads are closed to motorized traffic during the summer period due to fire hazard but are open during the spring and fall and open to snowmobiles in the winter. These are rough forest roads and I would be cautious driving them, although trucks and SUVs with high clearance should have no problems.
Biking through the forest you do feel like you are in the wilderness. The only drawback is that the width of the roads partly detracts from the experience. If it was single track it would be wonderful. The real advantage is that you cannot do any harm riding them when they are wet and muddy, during those times when the MTB trails are too wet and muddy to ride. They really are fun to tool around on and there is lots of distance to cover. I learned that when I had to walk my bike back to the parking area with a broken chain.
There are a lot of side trails and cart tracks off the roads. I don't think much of it could really be described as single track but there is still a lot more in the system for me to explore and map with my GPS. So hopefully these maps will be updated in the future.
GPS gpx Files
The gpx file for this trail system (and other trail systems) can be downloaded by clicking the link below:
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.
This section of the website differs from the rest as it does not involve comprehensive maps of pathway systems, like my trail system maps, as they already exist and will be linked to below.
Since I ride my E-Bike (previously my hybrid) on the local roads and paths, as well as my mountain bike on the trails I thought I would post some of my favourite routes for people that are looking for paved, or easy gravel or sand-dust, routes to ride. Since I ride both throughout the season I will not wait till I finish mapping all the trails to start posting these maps.
For specific hybrid & e-bikeable routes go back to the Jump Links. More routes and maps will come later but below see existing maps of the local pathway systems and cycling routes.
National Capital Region Cycling Routes and Resources
If you do not have a GPS unit you can still use the gpx files by loading them onto software that has background maps such as TopoFusion, or Google Earth, and see the detailed routes over the maps or satellite image.
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.
Updated
May 2022 to add new paths in the new subdivisions southwest of Terry
Fox Drive between Terry Fox Drive & Robert Grant Avenue.
Annotated
Map with Ponds and Creeks Indicated
(Double
Click to Enlarge Full Size)
Aerial
View Map
(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.
This is a pleasant approximately 35 kilometre bike ride on local pathways from
Bridlewood in Kanata to Stittsville and back passing several ponds
and creeks, with a few short sections on roadways.
The route starts along Equestrian Drive across from Pony Park, going
up the hill on the pathway along the large Bridlewood hydro line. It
follows the hydro line, crossing a few roads until it intersects with
the smaller Bridlewood hydro line where you go left crossing a few
more roads till you reach the Trans-Canada Trail (TCT).
You go left again on the TCT and cross Eagleson road and take the
first path to the right. Take a left on Rothesay Drive for half a
block and go right on the pathway through the park staying to the
left till you reach Old Colony Road which you follow for a short bit
till you turn left again at the Community Mail Boxes.
Follow the path till just before the bridge over the creek where you
go left again down to Castlefrank Road. The creek will be in a ravine
on the right of the path. Rejoin the path on the other side of
Castlefrank Road where the creek moves to the left side of the path
and continue to follow the path over a bridge where you go right and
the creek moves to the right side of the path. Cross Rickey Place and
the creek moves to the left side of the path.
You will then have to cross Terry Fox Drive (TFD) where the path
goes to the left. You might wish to cross TFD at the corner of TFD &
Winchester Drive. The creek will be on the left until it becomes a
pond and then disappears into a culvert. Continue on the path until
you rejoin the Trans Canada Trail (TCT).
Turn right onto the TCT and continue past the roundabout at Robert
Grant Ave till you reach Iber Road. Go right along the southwest side
of Iber Road about a block then turn left onto the path along the pond
till you get to Cinnabar Way.
Go right on Cinnabar for about a block then go right onto a pathway
following it (you will cross a few streets) till you get to a little
pond, creek and bridge. Do not go over the bridge. Continue until the
path becomes paved and take the pathway to the right beside the large
pond.
At this point you will go in a loop and return to this point. Follow
that path, staying to the left, till you get to Trailway Crescent. Go
right on Trailway Crescent, After a couple of blocks you will see a
paved path to the right. Continue past it and follow Trailway
Crescent around a curve to the right till you get to another paved
path on the right. Follow that, staying left all the way back to the
pond where you started on the loop.
Go right and continue till you cross Abbot Street and rejoin the
Trans-Canada Trail (TCT). Go right on the TCT, past Sacred Heart High
School all the way to the park at Stittsville Main Street. Cross Main
Street and continue on the TCT till you reach West Ridge Drive.
On the other side of West Ridge drive you will divert from the TCT
taking the path on the left over the bridge and along the creek on
the left. Follow the path as it turns rightward, becoming roadway for
a short bit and then going into the bush till it reaches Hazeldean
Road.
Turn around at the end of the trail and follow the pathway back to
the TCT at West Ridge Drive. Continue following the TCT all the way
back to Robert
Grant Avenue at
École Secondaire Catholique Paul-Desmarais.
Turn right and follow the pathway alongside
Robert Grant Avenue to Cope Drive where you turn left and follow the
pathway along Cope Road till you come to the first pond. Follow the
pathway alongside the pond and cross Continental Avenue and continue
following the pathway alongside the creek crossing Rouncey Road.
Go right
and go around the next pond (going
by the LCBO near the Walmart)following
alongside Terry Fox Drive. Near the end of the pond take a short dirt
path that connects to the paved pathway beside the next pond.
Continue following Terry Fox Drive alongside the pond. You have to go
off path for about 10 metres till you cross Westphalian and continue
on the paved path back to the TCT.
Cross Terry Fox Drive, continue about a block on the TCT then go
right alongside the pumping station and follow the driveway/road to
Akerson Drive and turn right. Go about a block then turn right onto
the pathway through the park and go own to the path along the creek
and continue towards the left Continue along the creek past Cope
Drive till you come to a bridge over the creek. Take the path on the
left, then go right along the road and around and take the path to
the right to the path along Eagleson Road, go right to Fernbank Road
and cross Eagleson Road continuing in the same direction along the
path to Bridgestone Drive.
Go left along the path along the south side Bridgestone Drive and
then to the right along the smaller pond. Go past the pond and cross
Emerald Meadows Drive. Go to the left around the larger pond doing a
figure eight over the bridge and all around the pond . You will
notice a large variety of water birds on the pond, including herons,
egrets, ducks and geese. Take a left northeast alongside the
playground area to Meadowbreeze Drive. The route essentially ends
there.
To continue to the start point go left on Meadowbreeze, cross Grassy
Plains Drive where the name changes to Eagleview Street. Turn right
at Milner Downs Crescent and follow it around and across Bridgestone
Drive where the name changes to Spur Ave. At the end of Spur Ave,
turn left on Equestrian Drive and continue to the start point.
Hopefully you will have had an enjoyable ride.
Postscript The Math: 9 ponds, 6 creeks
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
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:
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.
When I fist started mountain biking one of the first things I noticed
was the number of unofficial trails in the Greenbelt not on the NCC
maps, or other maps that I was aware of. So I decided to make it a
project to map all of the NCC trails in the Greenbelt, including
those not on the NCC maps. I never did get beyond the western
Greenbelt because there were enough places there to ride without
heading to the far east of the city. However I did end up adding some
trail systems not part of NCC lands. One commercial map source even
requested to use my maps in their products, to which I agreed in
exchange for a copy of the map my trail maps were included in.
Now that I have
retired from mountain biking I will not be updating these maps
anymore (although I intend to expand on the E-Bikeable routes section
of this site). I hope people will still find value in the trail
descriptions and slide shows that are not available elsewhere.
Fortunately
there are now many free options for trail maps of the Greenbelt and
other areas. One of the best is the “community driven” Open Street Map project. Despite it’s name
it has excellent trail coverage. Their
coverage of the Old Quarry Trail System, which I am most familiar
with, is excellent.
There
are a number of sites where
one can download maps based
on Open Street Map data. The one I find the most convenient and
easiest to use to download maps to load on my Garmin GPS and to
install on my computer for
use with BaseCamp or MapSource is Open Map Chest.
You
can download the Open Map Chest Canada map here.
I
also discovered another map site, 4Umaps,
that looks like it may be interesting, but more complicated. It
may be worth examining further.
For
those that like to create maps of the tracks of
their rides or
hikes to share, using
the gpx or gdb files, there is an excellent web site, GPS Visualizer,
that allows you to do this. It
uses a number of different
background maps, some based on Open Street Map, and includes
topographical
and relief maps and satellite imagery. I usually go directly here
to create my GPS visualizer maps and then take a screenshot of the
results.
Open Map Chest Canada
Sample Map Showing Track of a Ride
GPS Visualizer Sample
Maps (not all options are shown) Showing Track of a Ride
Richard W. Woodley was born in Sudbury, Ontario in 1950. He earned an Honours Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Laurentian University where he was the News Editor of the student newspaper Lambda and active in student politics. He was active in the New Democratic Party and Waffle in Sudbury and Kanata, as well as Kanata municipal politics. He was a member of the Bridlewood Residents Hydro Line Committee (BRHLC) and creator of the now archived Bridlewood Electromagnetic Fields (EMFs) Information Service. He worked on Parliament Hill for 33 years indexing the Debates of the House of Commons (Hansard) and it's committees.
Richard has been an outdoorsperson and environmentalist for most of his life and a life long cyclist who also mountain bikes.
(click on all maps to enlarge images)
