Winter Hiking Trails Near Ottawa with Great Views

Every year when winter arrives, things change on our favorite trails here in Ottawa. Some become XC ski trails, and some are closed altogether.

Fortunately, there are still a bunch of trails close to Ottawa that remain hike-able in winter. Including some with amazing views! Here are 15 of my favorites, in order of distance from Ottawa.

Taking in the view from the top of the hill at Dacre Heights.

Wolf Trail

Length of Trail: 8.4 km
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance from Ottawa: 30 minutes North
Dog Friendly in Winter: No
Full Trail Report: Wolf Trail- An 8.4 km Hike in Gatineau Park | Adventure Report

Trail 73 around Lac Philippe

Length of Trail: 12 km
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance from Ottawa: 35 Minutes North
Dog Friendly in Winter: No
Full Trail Report: Trail 73- A 12 km Snowshoe in Gatineau Park | Adventure Report

My favorite view across Lac Philippe, from the south shore.

Chutes de Denholm

Length of Trail: 5 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance from Ottawa: 50 Minutes North
Dog Friendly in Winter: Yes
Full Trail Report: The Parc des Chutes de Denholm- A 5 Km. Hike in Outaouais | Adventure Report

Montagnes Noires de Ripon

Length of Trail: 3.4 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance from Ottawa: 1 Hour East
Dog Friendly in Winter: Yes
Full Trail Report: Trail #7 at Black Mountains Park- A 3.4 Km. Hike in Ripon, QC | Adventure Report

Parc Régional de la Forêt Bowman

Length of Trail: 4 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance from Ottawa: 1 hour North
Dog Friendly in Winter: Yes
Full Trail Report: Parc Régional de la Forêt Bowman, a 4 km Hike | Adventure Report

View from the second lookout at Parc Régional de la Forêt Bowman!

Eagles Nest Lookout

Length of Trail: 2 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance from Ottawa: 1 Hour and 10 Minutes West
Dog Friendly in Winter: Yes
Full Trail Report: Manitou Mountain- A 9 Km. Hike in Calabogie | Adventure Report

Lost Valley Loop

Length of Trail: 4.7 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance from Ottawa: 1 Hour and 10 Minutes West
Dog Friendly in Winter: Yes
Full Trail Report: Currently being written!

Wabun Lake

Length of Trail: 4 or 17 km, depending on your route.
Difficulty: Moderate to difficult, again depending on your route!
Distance from Ottawa: 1 hour and 20 minutes West
Dog Friendly in Winter: Yes
Full Trail Report: Wabun Lake- A 4 (or 17!) km Hike in Calabogie | Adventure Report

This view on the Wabun lake Loop would be stunning in the winter!

Dacre Heights

Length of Trail: 4.7 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance from Ottawa: 1 Hour and 20 Minutes West
Dog Friendly in Winter: Yes
Full Trail Report: Dacre Heights- A 4.7 km Hike West of Ottawa | Adventure Report

Mont Morisette

Length of Trail: 7.6 km (with shorter options available)
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance from Ottawa: 1.5 hours North
Dog Friendly in Winter: Yes
Full Trail Report: Mont Morissette- A 7.6 km Hike in Outaouais | Adventure Report

The Katimavik Trail

Length of Trail: 7.4 km
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance from Ottawa: 1.5 Hours North
Dog Friendly in Winter: Yes
Full Trail Report: The Merisiers, Sommet, and Katimavik Trails- A 7.4 km Hike at Parc Regional du Poisson Blanc | Adventure Report

The Desjardins Trail

Length of Trail: 10.4 km
Difficulty: Difficult
Distance from Ottawa: 1.5 Hours North
Dog Friendly in Winter: Yes
Full Trail Report: The Desjardins Trail, a 10.35 km Hike in Parc Régional du Poisson Blanc | Adventure Report

The 31-Milles Lookout on the Desjardins Trail.

Blue Mountain

Length of Trail: 10 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance from Ottawa: 1.5 Hours Southwest
Dog Friendly in Winter: Yes
Full Trail Report: Blue Mountain- A 10 km Hike near Charleston Lake Provincial Park | Adventure Report

Griffith Uplands Trail

Length of Trail: 9 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance from Ottawa: 1.5 Hours West
Dog Friendly in Winter: Yes
Full Trail Report: The Griffith Uplands Trail- A 9 km Hike in Griffith, ON | Adventure Report

Definitely the best view along the Griffith Uplands Trail. Writing this blog post has me wanting to go back in winter!

There are also lots of amazing views to be had at Algonquin Provincial Park, Mont Tremblant Nation Park, and in the Adirondacks if you’re able to go a little further!