Your Ultimate Guide: Ottawa and Gatineau Snowshoeing Trails

Looking for the best snowshoeing trails in Ottawa and Gatineau? This ultimate guide will help you find the top winter hikes, gear tips, and snowshoe rentals around the National Capital Region. Whether you’re chasing powdery trails in Gatineau Park or exploring family-friendly loops in Ottawa, snowshoeing is a fun and accessible winter activity for all fitness levels. You can typically find snowshoes on sale for $100 versus a day pass rental in Gatineau Park is over $30/day.

Snowshoes vs. Crampons vs. Cleats

Snowshoes are ideal after a fresh snowfall, helping distribute your weight to avoid sinking. But on packed trails, crampons or traction cleats are better. These metal spikes or grips attach to your boots and give you traction on icy terrain. For icy trails or low-snow winters, crampons or cleats are compact, lightweight, and reliable.

Snowshoe Tip: Check weight limits when choosing a snowshoe. The longer the snowshoe, the higher the weight capacity.

Recommended Gear:

• Cleats: Found at Sail (These are good ones)
• Snowshoes: Women’s Wilderness Snowshoes (durable and trail-ready)
• Crampons: Budget friendly models from Amazon ($20–30)

Where to Rent Snowshoes

• Gatineau Visitor Centre: first come, first serve
• LaFleur Ski Rentals: Located at Mooney’s Bay Ski Centre
• Dow’s Lake Pavilion: Central and convenient
• OVAP in Arnprior: For those west of the city

But it’s cold outside! Should I still go snowshoeing?

Absolutely! Trees along the trail provide natural wind protection, making it feel warmer than city walking. Dress in layers, and carry a daypack to stash items like scarves, hats, or mitts when you warm up.

Note: Snowshoes have cold-weather ratings. Extremely cold temperatures could affect performance or void your warranty. Check the fine print.

What to Wear for Snowshoeing

Dressing in layers is key for winter hiking. Forest trails often block wind, making conditions feel warmer than city streets. A good rule: dress as if it’s 10°C warmer. Bring a small daypack to store extra gloves or shed layers.

Must-Have Clothing

• Warm Winter Jacket
• Gloves: Thin gloves and warm mitts for layering
• Hat/Earmuffs: Keep heat in and easy to peel off if you get warm
• Snowpants/Leggings: Layer with sweats or invest in snow pants
• Thermal Layers: Moisture-wicking base layers (merino wool is best)
• Wool Socks: Tall enough to stay up during your hike
• 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!

Money-Saving Tip: Shop sales on The Last Hunt or Marketplace.

Best Winter Hiking Boots

Note: depending on your snowshoe straps, they may ruin your good winter boots! I have this specific pair for snowshoeing from Mansfields Shoes in Manotick. They are warm, have a plastic heel to avoid damage to the boot, and are waterproof. Depending on how much you plan to snowshoe, you may want to consider a pair specifically for snowshoes/outdoor winter activities!

Read more: Complete Canadian Winter Packing List

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.

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 opens in October with discounts available for students, seniors and family passes. Usually, it’s worth it to get the seasons pass if you plan to snowshoe 6-10 times in a season.

Easy Trails:

• Trail 66 and 67 (Asticou)
• Trail 60 and 61 (Sugarbush)
• Trail 63 (Blanchet Beach, Mackenzie King Estate)

Moderate to Difficult Trails:

• Trail 62 (Wolf Trail): 7.7 km with two lookouts
• Trail 72: 6.9 km loop with an additional loop to 72B
• Trail 79 and 80 (Kingsmere Road): 7 km
• Trail 73 (Lac Philippe): 11.6 km loop

Unique Experience: Aventure Outaouais offers a nighttime snowshoeing experience in the winter and it’s fantastic! The tour includes pick up and drop off at select locations in Ottawa and Gatineau, a guided snowshoe at night, and a stop at a hut with food and hot chocolate.

Ottawa Snowshoeing Trail Locations (Free!)

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 (No Snowshoes Needed)

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)
• 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!

And there you have it: Ottawa and Gatineau Snowshoeing Trails to fit every fitness level! What’s your favourite trail in the National Capital Region?