Leitrim Wetland Boardwalk

Leitrim Wetland Boardwalk

Length: 500 metres (one way)

Time: 10-15 minutes

Terrain: Easy

Located in the South Ottawa suburb of Findley Creek is the new Leitrim Wetland Boardwalk. Part of the South Nation Watershed, this provincially significant wetland is home to many unique plants and animals. The trailhead is located off Findley Creek Drive near the intersection of White Alder Avenue (N45 18.835 - W075 36.502). Though unmarked, it is not hard to find as it is visible from the street.

The boardwalk is great for every member of the family, including the pooch. Along the trail, you'll be introduced to white pines, cedar swamps, tamarack and spongy marsh land. The boardwalk ends at a small platform overlooking the regionally distinct calcareous fen.

Make sure you keep your eyes open for wildlife. Creatures that call the wetland home include Deer, Moose, Snapping Turtles and the Great Blue Heron. For more information on the Leitrim Wetland you can visit the South Nation Conservation website (click here) or you can check out the information plaque located about 500 metres to the east along Findley Creek Drive.

Petrie Island - Basswood Trail

Basswood Trail

Length: 1 km loop

Time: 20-30 minutes

Terrain: Easy

Located in Orleans, Ontario on the city owned Petrie Islands is the one kilometre Basswood Trail. There are two options for parking on this short hike... one free, one paid. The free parking is located just north off the cause-way near the Petrie Island sign while the paid parking is found at the end of the road towards the beach ($2.00 for five hours).

As always, I managed to get free parking so that is where I am starting the hike. The trail head is located at the south end of the lot near the canoe launch. The terrain is quite easy and could be wheelchair friendly with a little help. The biggest obstacle are the roots from the large birch and alders that line the path.

As you make you way along the trail you'll get some great views of the Ottawa River. During the warmer months these shores are lined with fishers looking to catch their next great story. It's also a great spot to take in the the fall colours that the National Capital Region has to offer.

For birders, Petrie Island is a home to many wetlands, forests and meadows that are home to over 100 different species of birds. If you have binoculars, there are a lot of opportunities to use them.

At the 700 metre mark of the hike you'll be approaching the paid parking spots. From here, the trail heads away from the water and into a flood plain forest and back towards the free parking.

Basswood Trail is the perfect spot for a quick lunch hour walk or an evening dog trot with lots of spots for the pooch to take a quick dip. In the summer months it's also home to one of Ottawa's busiest public beaches so why not spend the afternoon and enjoy a swim yourself.

Lake Whittaker Conservation Area

Lake Whittaker - Sinking Bridge Trail and Ivan Row Trail

Length: 3km of hiking trails (5km with total loop of Lake)
Time: 60-90 minutes
Terrain: Easy to Moderate

Located in South-West Ontario near the hamlet of Avon, Lake Whittaker Conservation Area is a nice wooded esacpe in the middle of farm country. The 26-acre lake supports a public beach, camping, fishing and several kilometres of hiking trails.

The entrence to the conservation area is located at the end of Whittaker Lane. There is an $8.00 entry fee (per vehical) to gain access for the day. Once you're all paid up turn left around the gatehouse and follow the road along the south side of the lake to the day-use parking area (GPS Location: N 42 54.720 W080 57.587).

The two trails will take you on a 5 kilometre (3 km of hiking trail, 2 km of road) loop of the lake. From the day-use parking lot, walk the wooded trail and end up at the public beach in the camping area. From the beach, back to the parking area, walk along the road.

Starting at the day-use parking lot, head towards the lake and through the gate. Welcome to Sinking Bridge Trail.

The first few hundred metres of the path are quite simple... it's wide, grass covered and quite flat. Make sure you check out the fishing piers to the right as they give you a great view of the lake. Also along this stretch is a nice pinic area with lots of tables, this is a great spot to sit and relax after the hike.

Photos Provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

After a few minutes you'll arrive at the end of a road and the trail will make a sharp right and down a hill. This part of the trail is actually the old allignment of the road and at the bottom of the hill was an old floating bridge that crossed the wetlands.

Now this is where the trail starts getting a little more difficult. Before reaching to bottom of the hill there is a small un-marked entrence to your left. It may not look like much but things open up after few minutes. This part of the hike is takes you along some very interesting terrain as well as grassy meadows, over boardwalks and through old hard and soft-wood forests.

Photos Provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

By this point you've probably noticed that the trail is not marked that well (or at all) and the map available at the gate-house is not a good representation of the trail. As you walk through this part of the woods you're probably wishing things were advertised a little better. Over the next few minutes you'll find many forks in the trail. From what I saw, most lead back to the main trail but use the attached map below to help you find your way.

Photos Provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

Continue along the route until you reach the old alignment of road again, this will mark the end of the Sinking Bridge Trail but not the end of the hike. Follow the grassy road until you see a sign for the Ivan Row Trail and make a right into the second half.

Ivan Row Trail is a little different then the Sinking Bridge Trail, it follows much closer to the the lake and can get quite muddy as you make your way through some marshlands. Though the trail is not marked (except for the entrance and exit) it is much easier to follow with no side trails to confuse you. As you near the campground section of the park the trail will turn into a mountain biking area with several jumps and hills. If you stay to the right you'll see the exit which brings you to the public beach and some washrooms.

That marks the end of your hike. To get back to the day-use parking lot follow the road to your east, past to the gatehouse and along the south of the lake.

Lake Whittaker Conservation Area is a great spot to spend an afternoon. The trails allow you too see a rare part of Southern Ontario. The only negative is the lack of signage along the trail but the scenery by far makes up for this. Enjoy.

Lake Whittaker Map

The Mer Bleue Bog Trail

Mer Bleue Bog Trail

Length: 1.2 km loop
Time: 45-60 minutes
Terrain: Easy

Welcome to the Mer Bleue Conservation Area. Located south-east of downtown Ottawa, Mer Bleue is little piece of north hidden in the south. The area features a number of hiking trails including the Bog Trail Boardwalk. Parking for the boardwalk is located at the end of Ridge Road, which is off Anderson Road.

The hike is a 1.2 km loop and takes about 45 minutes. The terrain is pretty easy, for most of the hike you're on flat wooden plank with only the last few hundred metres being on old fashioned dirt. Dogs are not allowed.

When you arrive at the parking lot head south past the outhouse towards the bog. Along the way there are a number of information panels explaining the history and science of the bog. You'll eventually arrive at a series of four panels at a fork in trail, from here turn right and the boardwalk is right there.

Photos provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

Mer Bleue is actually an ancient channel of the Ottawa River. During the last ice age this area was under several kilometres of ice, when the glacier receded this new part of the Ottawa River was created. Over time the flow changed and thus the Mer Bleue Bog was born.

As you cross the open water along the boardwalk you'll notice the trees and plants ahead of you are a little different than what you just saw near the parking lot, that's because they are. Mer Bleue is a boreal peat bog, some flora can't grow here where others thrive. As you continue along the trail you'll notice trees such as black spruce and tamarack as well as ground cover or blueberries and cottongrass... these are normally located in more northern climates.

Photos provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

As mentioned earlier, this trail is a loop so you'll eventually be sent back towards the ridge. But before that happens you'll be treated to a nice close-up of an old beaver lodge. Of all my years of coming to the bog I have never seen a beaver using this lodge but don't be surprised of you see any swimming around. The area is very active with wildlife... it not uncommon to see muskrat, turtles and even the odd moose. If you're a photographer, this is a great area for taking shots of animals.

Photos provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

As you near the end of the boardwalk it means your hike is almost over. The last few hundred metres are in the woods along the edge of the ridge overlooking the bog. This spot provides a few great views of the marsh as well as few spots to sit down for a picnic.

Photos provided by Jamie Limebeer Photography

Enjoy your hike at the Mer Bleue Bog Trail.