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.
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.
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
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