Snowshoeing is a fantastic outdoor activity in the winter. The National Capital Region has a variety of trails both free and paid trails ranging from easy to difficult for all fitness levels. Snowshoes are available to rent for the day from the Gatineau Park Visitor’s Centre. It is also relatively cheap to purchase a pair of snowshoes or crampons. (You can typically find snowshoes on sale for $100 versus a day pass rental in Gatineau Park is over $30/day). If you’re looking for the Ultimate Ottawa and Gatineau Snowshoeing Trails, read on!
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Snowshoes vs. Crampons vs. Cleats
After snowshoeing hundreds of kilometres, I’m here to give you some equipment advice: snowshoes are perfect after a fresh snow but are otherwise cumbersome.
Hear me out: snowshoes are wide and flat to distribute your weight so you don’t sink into the snow. They absolutely help when there’s been a fresh snowfall, or on trails that aren’t as regularly used. However, on high traffic trails or in winters without a ton of snow, the snow is packed down enough you end up not needing the snowshoes. What you might want instead are a pair of crampons or cleats that attach to the bottom of your boots. These help when conditions are icy and give you a bit more grip on the packed down trails.
Crampons are basically metal spikes that provide traction on ice and often used in ice climbing. Cleats are similar but have smaller metal spikes to provide more traction than your boot but less than a crampon. Both are great to have handy when you need them. The crampons I have came with a carrying case that I throw in my daypack at the beginning of the winter season and come with me on every hike.
Snowshoe Recommendations: I have the Women’s Wilderness Snowshoes and they’ve stood up well for the past few years. They are perfect for day hiking, and the types of trails around Ottawa/Gatineau. When you’re choosing a pair, check the weight capacity limits to pick the right length. The longer the length, the higher the weight capacity.
Crampon Recommendations: I picked up a pair from Amazon for $20 about 6 years ago, similar to these.
Cleat Recommendations: Similar to the crampons, they sell for about $15-$20 a pair. These are available at Sail.
What if it’s cold outside?
Canadian winters are going to be chilly, but the wonderful thing about snowshoeing in the forest is that the trees provide excellent wind coverage! So, I’ve always found it to feel a bit warmer on the trails compared to walking around the city. I recommend dressing in layers and bring a daypack for the layers you want to take off. I almost always end up with my scarf, mitts and hat in my bag by the end of the hike.
One thing to check if you’re heading out with your snowshoes: they are rated to specific temperatures and your warranty may not cover breakage. Just be aware!
Read more: Complete Canadian Winter Packing List
How to Dress for Snowshoeing
It is always better to have more layers to remove, than not have enough and be cold. Similar to running outside, a good rule of thumb is to dress as if it’s 10 degrees warmer outside. Also keep in mind if you’re summitting/will be stopping for a lookout view – it will be colder at the summit and you will want to have your gloves/mitts/scarves/etc. I’ve included recommendations below, but ultimately if you’re warm and comfortable you’ll be good to head out with your snowshoes! If you’re Canadian, try scoring deals at The Last Hunt, or buying second hand from Marketplace or Poshmark!
- Gloves/Mitts. I always have a pair of those dollar store gloves and a thicker pair to layer if it’s really cold. I find the dollar store gloves are perfect while snowshoeing, but that’s just me!
- Winter jacket. Again, you may not want your parka if it’s not *too* cold but warmth is still key in Canadian winters. I’ve included my jackets below, including the approximate temperatures I feel comfortable in.
- Hat/headband/ear muffs. Anything you have on hand will do! Hats are the best for keeping all that warmth in your body, but I love my earmuffs.
- Boots. One thing to note is that, depending on your snowshoe straps, they may ruin your boots! I have this specific pair for snowshoeing from Mansfields Shoes in Manotick. Depending on how much you plan to snowshoe, you may want to consider a pair specifically for snowshoes/outdoor winter activities!
- Daypack. I love my dayback from MEC and if you keep your eyes peeled for deals you can definitely snag one on sale! Any pack will do: I used one of these drawstring packs for years and they work great as well!
- Snowpants. I’ve snowshoed for years wearing a pair of leggings and, if it’s exceptionally cold, throwing on a pair of sweatpants overtop. If you want to purchase a pair of pants, any pair of snowpants is fine! I just picked up these snazzy ones from Rudsak on sale and they’re beautiful.
- Thermal base layers. Never a bad idea: thermal base layers wick away sweat so you’re not left getting cold at a summit, or if you pause for a rest. I love MEC base layers but anything with merino wool will keep you warmest.
- SOCKS. Seems silly, but having a good pair of wool socks will make your hike much more enjoyable (and keep those toes warm). Make sure they are tall enough to go over the top of your boot so they aren’t falling down (IYKYK).
Winter Jacket Recommendations Based on Temperature
- Black Babaton Parka. This is my regular winter jacket and it’s just fine for all snowshoe hikes! It’s rated to -30C so it’s perfect for winter and colder days for snowshoeing.
- Pink Columbia Jacket. This is my fall bike riding jacket and it’s great for warmer winter days. It’s rated to -10C and I tend to follow that guideline with this jacket.
- Aritzia Puffer Jacket. It’s rated to 0C, so it’s not great on it’s warm enough on its own for most winter hikes, but it’s perfect in early spring when there’s still snow on the ground! Mine is also bright yellow so it’s perfect against a snowy backdrop.
- Quilted Jacket. I bought this jacket in 2015 and it’s still going strong! It’s just a warm, quilted jacket that is perfect for snowshoeing. It’s rated at -15C.
Gatineau Snowshoeing Trail Locations
There is over 90 km of snowshoeing trails in Gatineau Park. You can find all the trails using the Gatineau Park Trails Map here, with some of my favourites listed below. NOTE: You can rent snowshoes at the Gatineau Park Visitor Centre.
There is a fee to snowshoe in Gatineau Park so you can purchase a day pass or a seasons pass from the National Capital Commission. Early bird prices are $52/season pass (presale opens in October, discounts available for students, seniors and family passes) or $12/day. The regular price for a snowshoe pass as of December 2023 is $66.69. If you plan to snowshoe 6 or more times in one season the seasons pass is worth it.
Easy: Asticou (Trails 66 and 67) and Sugarbush (Trails 60 and 61) are both short relatively flat trails, close to Ottawa and Gatineau, and great to bring the kids along! Trail 63 (Blanchet Beach) is an easy 1.6 km loop through the Mackenzie King Estate grounds.
Difficult/Long: Wolf Trail (Trail 62) is a 7.7 km loop with two lookouts; Kingsmere Road (Trails 79 and 80) is a difficult 7-km loop; Trail 72 (6.9 km loop with an additional Trail 72B loop); and Lac Philippe (trail 73) is a 11.6 km loop.
BONUS: Snowshoeing under the stars. Spend your Friday evening snowshoeing under the stars with an interpretive 3 km hike. The ticket includes an experienced Friends of Gatineau Park nature interpreter. It’s an incredibly fun night out!
Ottawa Snowshoeing Trail Locations
The NCC trails in Ottawa and other Ottawa Valley snowshoe trails are free. Note that many of these trails are also cross country ski trails so please hike to the side of the ski tracks! Ottawa snowshoe rentals are available at LaFleur Ski Rentals (Mooney’s Bay Ski Centre) or Dow’s Lake Pavilion.
Mer Bleue Bog Trail: Located in the east end of the city, snowshoe along this 1.2 km trail across the boardwalk. You can also feed the chickadees sunflower seeds!
Stoney Swamp Conservation Area (Jack Pine Trail, Beaver Trail, Lime Kiln Trail and Sarsaparilla Trail): Located in the southwest end of the city with over 5 km of snowshoe trail loops.
Shirley’s Bay Trail 10 and 12: Snowshoe trails in Kanata, the Shirley’s Bay loop is open to dogs.
Pinhey Forest (Trails 31 and 32): Ottawa south snowshoeing can be found at Pinhey Forest, at the Nepean Sportsplex.
Sir John A. Macdonald Winter Trail: Along the Ottawa River, this trail starts in downtown Ottawa and travels westerly.
Britannia Winter Trail and Mud Lake: The Britannia Winter Trail follows the Ottawa River, through the Britannia neighbourhood. The Mud Lake trail is just off the Britannia Winter Trail and is filled with wildlife making this is a great spot for a quick snowshoe.
Ski Heritage East: located in the east end, from Blair Road to Trim Road, with parking at NCC lot P7.
Gatineau Park Winter Hiking Trails
There are four winter hiking trails in Gatineau Park (no snowshoes or cross country skis allowed). They make up approximately 11 km total and are easy walking trails. They’re perfect kid-friendly trails!
Pioneer’s Trail (1.3 km loop), the Capital Pathway (3.2 km trail), Sugarbush Trail (3 km loop at the Visitor Centre) and Lauriault Trail (4.5 km loop).
Ottawa Valley Snowshoeing Trails
Manitou Mountain Trail: Surrounding the ski mountain at Calabogie Peaks Ski Resort, you’ll find this 9 km one-way trail that also leads to the Eagle’s Nest Lookout. Check out my post here for more to do in the area. You can rent snowshoes at the resort for less than $20/day.
Arbraska Laflèche: About 30 minutes from Ottawa in Quebec, you can rent snowshoes and purchase a day pass.
Perth Wildlife Reserve: Explore a 2.5 km snowshoe loop through a snowy forest trail, or head to the Murphys Point Provincial Park for more extensive snowshoe loops.
North Grenville: Head to the Ferguson Forest Trails or Marlborough Forest, just north of downtown Kemptville. The trails are relatively flat and great for families!
