Old Quarry Trail System Remapped 2015 Updated 2020 & 2023

This trail system was the first one I mapped in 2005 using my first less accurate GPS and untried methodology. Since then I have acquired a newer more accurate GPS and refined my methodology. As well since then many trails have become grown over or abandoned and new ones have been created and discovered. Therefore I have completely remapped this trail system during July and August 2015. Some new trail sections have been added in July 2020.

These are my neighbourhood trails, less than a kilometre from home to the paths leading to the trails and under two kilometres to the actual dirt trails. That being said, It was not until I undertook this mapping project that I actually managed to ride all of the trails. As you can see from the map there is a complex network of inter-connected trails, more than half of which are unofficial and not on the NCC map.

The trails lie between Bridlewood and Bells Corners and are accessible from NCC parking lots P5 on Eagleson Road across from the Hazeldean Mall, and NCC parking lot P6 on Old Richmond Road, as well as from numerous trail entrances within the two communities.

These are great trails for someone starting out in mountain biking because they provide a wide range of difficulty from easy flat gravel trails to intermediate level rooty and rocky trails.

The Maps

 

Official NCC Map with Trail Numbers  

Official NCC Map with Intersection Numbers  

Official Rideau Trail Map  

Topographical Map  

Google Earth View Annotated Map with Trail Names  

Larger full size map may be downloaded here

The Trails  

I have found it almost impossible to list these trails geographically in any systematic way so please accept this listing as it is and refer to the annotated map for more definite locations.

Trans-Canada Trail (TCT)

 

The portion of the Trans-Canada Trail that passes through the Old Quarry Trail System is a wide gravel stone dust trail that follows a former rail line right-of-way. To the south it continues to follow the old rail line to Carleton Place and to the north it leaves the rail line route and continues to the Ottawa River. It acts as a separator and connector of the different sections of the trail system, as well as providing access to the trails from the rest of Ottawa.

Rideau Trail 

 

The Rideau Trail is a “footpath” between Ottawa and Kingston. Within the Old Quarry Trail System it starts at the trestle over Robertson Road and ends at NCC Parking Lot P6. The portion that goes through the Old Quarry Trail System serves as an intermediate level mountain biking trail with rocky and rooty sections. It has some of the most technical sections of the Old Quarry Trail System.

Hydro Line Trail

The trail labelled Hydro Line on the map simply acts as a connector between the Old Quarry Trail System dirt trails and the paved urban pathways within the Bridlewood Community. As it's name suggests it follows along a hydro line (the small one).

Trail 23

 

At NCC Parking Lot P5 we have the main Old Quarry Trail, Trail 23. Within it are two easy gravel loops that are great to start the young ones out on and great for riding in the spring when the dirt trails are muddy. Connected to these is a slightly harder dirt loop leading to Trail 24 at the back of Old Quarry and an intermediate level rocky and rooty trail near the centre that connects to the Trans-Canada Trail. Also connected to Trail 23 are unofficial trails that are not on the official NCC maps, like many of the trails mapped in this project.

Deer Feeder Trail

The Deer Feeder Trail is sometimes known as the Deer George Trail because of the plaques at the unofficial deer feeding stations honouring George who used to feed the deer that inhabit the Old Quarry Trail System. It is a narrow twisty single-track trail that has several small re-routes due to trees falling in the relatively dense bush it goes through. One end of the trail features an open area with small cliffs great for playing around in on a mountain bike. It would make an excellent site for a Beginner Mountain Biking Park, as I have written in this blog posting: THE FIFTH COLUMN: Old Quarry Youth Mountain Bike Skills Park.

Inside Trail

 

This was called Hidden Trail on the previous version of this map, but because it really is not hidden I have changed the name. It runs inside sections of the official Trail 23, thus the name. It is also a narrow single-track trail, with a couple of spur lines, but not quite as twisty as the Deer Feeder Trail.

ANT and Bed Pan Trail

 

These two trails are northeast of the Robertson Road end of Trail 24, They provide a narrow single-track route to the trails on the other side of Robertson Road as a more interesting ride or hike than following the wider official trails.

Trail 24

 

Trail 24 has dual characteristics as it is a merger of the original Trails 24 and 25 after the NCC decided to use the Trail 25 designation on the other side of Old Richmond Road for the Lime Kiln area trails.

The original Trail 24 consisted of wide trails that acted as fire roads, one running from the large Bridlewood Hydro Line near Scissons Road to Robertson Road. The other running off of that towards Bells Corners.

The other major part of Trail 24 are the sections that go up and down to NCC parking Lot P6, which were formerly designated as Trail 25. These were probably the most technical sections of trail in the system, especially climbing up through the rooty and rocky sections, before the new MNT Trail was discovered. The Rideau Trail follows part of this section of Trail 24.

Parallel Trail

To the west of Trail 24 south of the Trans-Canada Trail is a trail that runs parallel to Trail 24 and the subdivision to the west of it, known as the Parallel Trail. This is a narrow single-track trail that is not overly technical but is more enjoyable than riding or hiking the wide Fire Road that is Trail 24. Part of that trail had become part of the lost overgrown trails in the system but was recently recovered. There are a number of links from Trail 24 to the Parallel Trail, including one across from the famous Roller Coaster Trail. In places these trails really have the feeling of being deep in the bush.

Roller Coaster Trail

Across from the Parallel Trail along Trail 24 between the Trans-Canada Trail and the section of Trail 24 that heads towards Bells Corners is the famous Roller Coaster Trail. It gets it's name from the dips (or Whoop-De-Dos) along the trail. It also has the famous almost ninety degree about two metre drop just before it joins up with the Anti-Logger Trail (which is also part of the Rideau Trail), but there is a ride-around.

Not all trail braids on the Roller Coaster Trail (and some others) are shown on the map. Trail braids are trail sections running closely alongside the main trail to avoid technical sections, obstacles, or muddy sections.

MNT and Extension Trails

 

The newly discovered MNT and Extension Trails are single-track trails that start along the Trans-Canada Trail, at the end of Bed Pan, and go to the wide section of Trail 24 that goes towards Bells Corners. They cross the Roller Coaster Trail. MNT, north of Roller Coaster, may be the most technical and difficult of the Old Quarry Trail System Trails, requiring me to walk parts of it. Extension, south of Roller Coaster, is easier and more flowy.

Anti-Logger Trail

 

Anti-Logger goes along the south side of the pond near Bells Corners. Before the Roller Coaster intersection are some of the most technical rooty sections of trail in the Old Quarry Trail System, as well as some of the most chronically muddy sections. After that the trail becomes more flowy. The Rideau Trail follows Anti-Logger.

Logger Trail

 

Logger Trail goes along the north side of the pond near Bells Corners. A short cut from one part of Trail 24 to another it provides a relatively flowy single-track alternative to the wide Trail 24.

Subdivision Trail

Subdivision Trail is a very flowy single-track trail that runs behind the subdivision in Bells Corners.

Ridge Line/Chapel Trail

This is a fun short section of flowy trail that, as it's name suggests, follows the ridge line from the wide section of Trail 24 to the single-track section of Trail 24 that goes down to NCC parking lot P6. The Chapel portion of the name comes from a chapel-like rock structure built along the trail that has been demolished by trail vandals.

Rock Garden Trail

The Rock Garden Trail is a short very rocky single-track trail that goes from Trail 24 near the big hydro line and connects to the Scissons Trails under the hydro line

Scissons Trails

This is the part of the Old Quarry Trail System that is the furthest from NCC parking lot P5. Adjacent to Scissons Road, it is in the far southeast corner of the trail system closer to NCC parking lot P6 on Old Richmond Road than to P5.

I first discovered these trails a few years ago, although like any place discovered (think America) I am sure they were there for quite awhile before I stumbled onto them. Last season during a night group ride I discovered that there was more than I thought and when I set about mapping them this season I discovered even more trails.

There are only about 5 km of distinct trails here but with doing loops and overlaps you could do a 10 km ride just in that section but you will usually do parts of it as part of a larger ride of the Old Quarry Trails.

These trails are of intermediate technical difficulty with many easy flowy sections and some twisty and rocky sections.

Middle Earth

 

Middle Earth was on the original map and we used to ride it during group rides several years ago. It is/was a somewhat hidden and very interesting trail, very technical in places, that reminds me of Middle Earth, hence the name.

Middle Earth is one of those trails that I was not sure still existed, having not rode or hiked it for several seasons. I expected there would be lots of fallen trees over the trail from storms over the last few years and it might be overgrown in sections. So I set out to see if I could still follow the trail or open it up. It turned out to be quite a challenge and I lost the trail numerous times, even with the GPS track to follow and red markings on trees for part of it. I roughly followed 75 percent of the trail, having to climb through heavy bush in some cases, before losing it completely. Probably about 80% of the 75% of trail I followed is decent trail but in somewhat unconnected sections. Since having known the trail fairly well, having a map and GPS track, I still kept getting lost I decided it was best to remove it from the Old Quarry Trail System Map and GPS tracks as I do not want to encourage people to get lost in the bush.

Map of My Attempt to Follow the Middle Earth Trail  

With a lot of work the Middle Earth Trail might be able to be re-established, but until then I will leave it off the map and GPS tracks.

The area where Middle Earth is located is indicated in small white type on the Annotated Map.

Concluding Words on The Trails

 

The descriptions above do not really do justice to just how enjoyable it is to ride these trails. Although relatively close to roads and civilization many of the trail sections make you feel like you are in the wilderness because the bush is so dense. There are portions that are technically challenging and portions you can just race around in. You can literally spend a whole day in here just tooling around on your bike. But remember to always be respectful of other trail users.

 

Hybrid Rideable and E-Bikeable Trail Sections (Updated 2023)

Well, at 73, I have finally given up my mountain bike but that does not mean I am staying away from my favourite forest trails. Luckily my local trail system (Old Quarry) has quite a few trails rideable on our e-bikes or a hybrid. Indeed, for some people probably more than I include on this map if you are a really hard core rigid bike rider. The trails I have included are ones that will appeal to the more casual rider. They are relatively smooth and non-technical though there may be a few short sections some people might want to walk their bikes through. I have also only included trail sections that provide interconnecting loops, so no dead ends.

In particular notice the X, Y, & Z intersection markings. They delineate a section of trail that includes a flooded and closed section, Y to Z. This section has been closed for two seasons. If the NCC ever solves the flooding problem that could potentially become part of an e-bikeable loop.

E-Bikeable Trails Map  

 GPS gpx Files

The gpx file for this trail system (and other 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.

Slide Show of A Typical Old Quarry Trails Ride

Viewing Slide Show Full Screen Recommended  

Posted 2015-08-25
Updated 2023-10-05

Lime Kiln Trail System Remapped 2015

During the summer of 2012 there was a fire near the Lime Kiln in the Stony Swamp Conservation Area that resulted in a large network of fire roads and made significant changes to the trails, especially the Lime Kiln Technical Trail.

After the fire the Lime Kiln Technical Trail was fenced off and Trail Closed signs were put up. Since then the trail has been re-opened and the trail closed signs removed, though remnants of the fence remain. As well most of the fire roads have been closed and re-naturalized and one section of trail not near the fire site has been abandoned, overgrown and no longer exists.

This remapping reflects the trail system as it is today.

The Lime Kiln Trail System includes trails of varying degrees of difficulty. However, this is the trail system that includes the trail I put off riding for over a season due to it's reputation as the most technical trail in the Greenbelt, The Lime Kiln Technical Trail. Indeed the first four or five times I rode it I endoed or crashed at least once. Finally, before the fire, I was able ride the whole trail, though not without dabbing or stopping and restarting a few times. The fire has exposed more rock along the trail and made the technical trail even more difficult.

The Lime Kiln Trail System can be accessed from the other side of P6 on Richmond Road or from P8 and P10 on Moodie Drive or from a gravel trail on Richmond Road south of the McDonald's. Please do not park in the Wild Bird Care Centre parking lot on Moodie Drive.

The Maps

Official NCC Map with Trail Numbers

Official NCC Map with Intersection Numbers

Official Rideau Trail Map

Topographical Map

Google Earth View Annotated Map

Left click twice to enlarge full size

The Trails

This trail system includes a section of the main Rideau Trail and a secondary section of the Rideau Trail, as well as the famous unofficial Lime Kiln Technical Trail, as mentioned above.

We will start our description of the trails at the closest point to home, in Bridlewood, at the entrance across from NCC Parking Lot P6 on Old Richmond Road and try to keep as logical a geographic progression as possible after that.

The Rideau Trail continues on the other side of P6, starting out rocky then turning parallel to Old Richmond Road where there is a chronic muddy section during spring and into summer. There is a walk-around. Please walk it as riding it tends to turn it as muddy as the trail. After that the trail is flowy until it turns left at 25F (on NCC signpost). The trail becomes rocky again as it gets closer to the Lime Kiln Bridge at 25E. Intersections 25D and 25E are essentially the same intersection on either side of the short bridge. The Rideau Trail then crosses over the bridge to 25D and continues south over some slightly rooty sections to 25C. It then follows a wide trail to 25B and goes right following the wide gravel fire road to Old Richmond Road where it continues along Old Richmond Road.

At 25F if you continue straight (south) you will follow a relatively flowy trail that goes through fields and forest, Be aware that there is lots of vegetation right alongside the trail as it is very narrow single-track and you will make contact with the vegetation.

This trail intersects with the Rideau Trail at 25C. There you can join the Rideau Trail in either direction or turn left and continue straight on another slightly rooty trail that goes through forests and fields and past an old overturned outhouse.

This trail ends at the “mulch trail”, one of the fire roads created to fight the fire, that is now covered with wood chips. The wood chips created a very soft trail that is not particularly enjoyable to ride on but it is becoming more packed and better to ride on each year.

The “mulch trail” is part of a secondary trail of the Rideau Trail that goes from NCC Parking Lot P10 on Moodie Drive then goes to the right after the Lime Kiln (at an unmarked intersection), continues to 25E where it goes north and over a bridge and past 28G, 28H, 28J and 28K to NCC Parking Lot P8 and continues across Moodie Drive.

The “mulch trail” starts at an unmarked intersection along the wide gravel fire road that runs between NCC Parking Lot P10 (Lime Kiln Parking Lot) and Old Richmond Road southwest of the Lime Kiln. It includes (obliterates) parts of the Lime Kiln Technical Trail on its way to 25E. At 25E it follows the path of (obliterates) a previous really enjoyable single-track trail until it ends at the bridge at the start of the Wild Bird Care Centre trails (Trail 28). These trails, the Chipmunk Trail and Beaver Trail, are wide easy dirt trails.

The official parking lot for the Lime Kiln is along Moodie Drive, NCC Parking Lot P10. P10 is the start of a wide dirt trail that goes over two bridges (one short, one long) and leads to the Lime Kiln. After the bridges the trail becomes a wide gravel trail (fire road) and continues to Old Richmond Road.

The most famous trail in the system, the Lime Kiln Technical Trail, starts at the Lime Kiln, 25A, and goes for approximately a kilometre to 25E at the Lime Kiln Bridge. It has been broken into three sections by the “mulch trail” (fire road) that obliterates short sections of it. This trail is very technical and also features some very interesting geology. Since the fire more rock has been exposed and, IMHO, the trail has become more technical and difficult.

This is another trail system that includes many intersecting trails and many unofficial trails that are not on the official NCC map. Although including the famous Lime Kiln Technical Trail, this trail system includes trail of various terrain and degrees of difficulty. Please remember these are shared trail so please respect other trail users.

GPS gpx Files

The gpx file for this trail system (and other 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.

Photos

I hope to add photos in the future.

Posted 2015-09-04

Monaghan Forest Trails

The Monaghan Forest Trails are almost in my back yard yet I was unaware of them for years. This is likely because they are not on any of the National Capital Commission (NCC) maps nor on the list of City of Ottawa conservation areas, although an after the fact search discovered mentions on several bird watching sites. I have a fellow mountain biker to thank for suggesting I check them out.

 

The Monaghan Forest Trails cover a variety of terrain from bush to grassy areas and includes forest roads, double track trails and even some technical single track.

The trails are located in a corner between Old Richmond Road, Fallowfield Road and Moodie Drive, north of Steeple Hill Crescent and south of a working quarry. You can access the trails from a parking lot on Fallowfield Road across from the Valleyview Little Animal Farm. There is also a parking lot on Alti Place, off of Moodie Drive.

Interestingly I did notice a few trees with what looked like NCC trail markers on them that the trees had grown over. They were also higher up the tree than normal suggesting they moved up with the trees growth. So if they were once NCC trails that was quite a few years ago.

Rideau Trail

The Rideau Trail runs through this area and interestingly the other maps I looked at do not agree on exactly where it goes. Even the official Rideau Trail map does not match where the trail goes according to the signage. The map on this website reflects the signage, the orange triangles used along the rest of the Rideau Trail.

Warning

At the end of Kyhmer Court where the Rideau Trail enters the Monaghan Forest Trails there is a trail going northeast in a loop with a spur off of it. That spur ends at a gravel road that goes around a working quarry. For some reason there is no fence at that point but the road clearly is on private property and should be avoided. I understand the road around the quarry goes dangerously close to the edge of the pit cliffs in places.

GPS gpx Files

The gpx file for this trail system (and other 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.

Photos

I hope to add photos or slide shows to each of the specific trail sections above in the future.

Posted 2016-09-03