Take a stroll on the urban trails of Ottawa-Gatineau

BY CHANTAL MACARTNEY

OTTAWA IS SUCH a beautiful city that many of the thousands of people who work downtown are lured outside to take walks over the lunch break. Others glide along tree-lined pathways on inline skates. Here are four outstanding routes to try this summer.

FIRST LOOP

This trail is 2.6 kilometres long and starts on the Sparks Street Mall. Walk- ing west along Sparks Street, continue to the end until you reach the Garden of the Provinces with its two waterfalls, a perfect lunch spot on sunny days. Then continue walking to the north side of Wellington Street, turning left at the National Library. Follow the sidewalk almost to the Portage Bridge. Veer right and descend to the pathway that winds along the Ottawa River behind the Na- tional Library, Supreme Court and Par- liament Buildings. It’s a beautiful outing beside the water for walking, cycling or skating.

Continue downstream until you reach the locks beside the Chateau Laurier. Then turn right and climb up the road- way or stairs to Confederation Square. Turn right again to get back to Sparks Street and your starting point.

If you don’t have time for all of this lovely walk, you’ll find sets of stairs leading from water level back to the top of the escarpment.

SECOND LOOP

This loop is five kilometres and starts on the Gatineau side of the Ottawa River, near the Portage III/IV office complex. The loop begins on the Voyageur Pathway at the Portage Bridge, and winds eastwards along the Ottawa River behind the Museum of Civilization. Here you’ll find many shaded spots for lunch beside the water.

Continue walking to the 100-year-old Princess Alexandra Bridge spanning the Ottawa River. As you cross the bridge to

PHOTO BY NATIONAL CAPITAL COMMISSION

Ottawa, you’ll have a breathtaking view of both cities and the Rideau Locks. On the Ottawa side, turn right just before you reach the National Gallery of Canada and walk through Major’s Hill Park to Rideau Street where it joins Confederation Square. Turn right and continue past the Parliament Buildings to the Portage Bridge. Cross it back into Gatineau to your starting point.

THIRD LOOP

This route is approximately 5½ kilometres and starts at the Chateau Laurier. It goes south along the pathway parallel to Colonel By Drive beside the Rideau Canal, turning right across the Pretoria Bridge, and returns north along Queen Elizabeth Driveway. You’ll find shaded trees and park benches along the water for lunch or just to take a break.

FOURTH LOOP

This loop starts and ends at the government complex at Tunney’s Pasture beginning at the intersection of Parkdale and Columbine. Walk north to the Ottawa River pathway and turn right to the Lemieux Island water filtration plant or left to the Remic Rapids look

out. Both loops are about 2½ kilometres. On either walk you’ll pass picturesque stretches of the rapids that forced the early voyageurs out of their canoes. But step carefully to avoid those flocks of nonchalant Canada Geese that got there earlier than you and think they own the place.

Explore some walks alone or with coworkers this summer. Even 20 minutes gets you into the fresh air to blow away the cobwebs. You’ll notice it makes a difference to your afternoon, helps reduce stress, and can deepen a friendship with your walking companions.