Best walking routes in Ottawa

26 routes ranked on sights, efficiency, hills & length — real foot distance and elevation.

3.7 scoreHills 1/107.5 kmBest Apr, May, Sep, Oct
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Ranked routes

Same score for every walk. Click a card to expand details on the map.

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#1
Viewpoint

One Hour in Ottawa: A Short Walk

1 hour

6 stops2.1 km1 h

2.1 kmdistance1 hwith stops6stops+22 mgain
5.9 sights6.0 efficiency0.4 hills9.4 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 30 min+ up to 2 h insides+22 m climb along route
  1. Peace Tower
  2. Parliament Hill
  3. National War Memorial
  4. Rideau CanalUNESCO
  5. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
  6. National Gallery of Canada
44–84 m

Photo: Viewpointshankar s. from Dubai, united arab emiratesCC BY 2.0

5.9/10
#2
Viewpoint

Ottawa in One Day: Walking Itinerary

One day

19 stops11.8 km4 h 10 min~116 m stairs

Inside visits push a full day to ~5 h 35 min.

Inside: Rideau Canal (~40 min) + Rideau Hall (~45 min). Estimates only.

11.8 kmdistance4 h 10 minwith stops19stops~5 h 35 minfull day+75 mgain~116 mstairs
3.9 sights6.7 efficiency1.2 hills8.2 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h 35 min+ up to 6 h 5 min insides+75 m climb along route
  1. Canadian War Museum
  2. Memorial to the Victims of Communism
  3. Bank of Canada Museum
  4. Peace Tower
  5. Parliament Hill
  6. National War Memorial
  7. Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  8. Confederation Square
  9. National Arts Centre
  10. Confederation Park
  11. Lisgar Stairs
  12. Ottawa Art Gallery
  13. Major's Hill Park
  14. Rideau CanalUNESCO (inside ~40 min)
  15. Canadian Museum of History
  16. Alexandra Bridge
  17. National Gallery of Canada
  18. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
  19. Rideau Hall (inside ~45 min)
40–84 m

Photo: ViewpointThomas BurrowesPublic domain

5.0/10
#3
Viewpoint

Museums of Ottawa in 2 Hours

Museums

5 stops4.9 km1 h 30 min

4.9 kmdistance1 h 30 minwith stops5stops+43 mgain
4.8 sights6.3 efficiency0.7 hills6.1 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 5 min+ up to 4 h 20 min insides+43 m climb along route
  1. Canadian War Museum
  2. Bank of Canada Museum
  3. Bytown MuseumUNESCO
  4. National Gallery of Canada
  5. Canadian Museum of History
40–75 m

Photo: Viewpoint– Wladyslaw [Disk.]CC BY-SA 3.0

5.0/10
#4
Viewpoint

Self-Guided Walking Tour of Ottawa

Walking tour

11 stops8.3 km2 h 45 min

8.3 kmdistance2 h 45 minwith stops11stops+92 mgain
5.3 sights7.8 efficiency1.5 hills1.5 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 50 min+ up to 4 h 45 min insides+92 m climb along route
  1. Canadian War Museum
  2. Peace Tower
  3. Parliament Hill
  4. National War Memorial
  5. Rideau CanalUNESCO
  6. Canadian Museum of History
  7. Alexandra Bridge
  8. National Gallery of Canada
  9. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
  10. 24 Sussex Drive
  11. Rideau Hall
40–84 m

Photo: ViewpointThomas BurrowesPublic domain

4.9/10
#5
Viewpoint

Old Town of Ottawa in 2 Hours

Old town

8 stops3.7 km1 h 20 min~201 m stairs

3.7 kmdistance1 h 20 minwith stops8stops+33 mgain~201 mstairs
2.6 sights7.5 efficiency0.6 hills9.3 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 50 min+ up to 20 min insides+33 m climb along route
  1. Memorial to the Victims of Communism
  2. Thunderhead
  3. Peace Tower
  4. National War Memorial
  5. Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  6. Confederation Square
  7. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
  8. Alexandra Bridge
40–84 m

Photo: ViewpointJeangagnonCC BY-SA 4.0

4.6/10
#6
Viewpoint

Churches of Ottawa in 2 Hours

Churches

5 stops2.5 km1 h 10 min

2.5 kmdistance1 h 10 minwith stops5stops+22 mgain
3.0 sights7.0 efficiency0.4 hills7.2 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 35 min+ up to 1 h 40 min insides+22 m climb along route
  1. St. Patrick's Basilica, Ottawa
  2. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
  3. Rideau CanalUNESCO
  4. Rideau Street Chapel
  5. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
44–78 m

Photo: ViewpointBobak Ha'EriCC BY-SA 2.5

4.3/10
#7
Viewpoint

Ottawa Loop Walk from Confederation Park

Loop

18 stops5.6 km2 h 55 min

5.6 kmdistance2 h 55 minwith stops18stops+32 mgain
2.6 sights6.8 efficiency0.5 hills7.6 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 15 min+ up to 3 h 40 min insides+32 m climb along route
  1. Confederation Park
  2. National Arts Centre
  3. Confederation Square
  4. National War Memorial
  5. Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  6. Valiants Memorial
  7. Plaza Bridge
  8. Bytown MuseumUNESCO
  9. Rideau CanalUNESCO
  10. Major's Hill Park
  11. Kiwekì Point
  12. National Gallery of Canada
  13. Rideau Street Chapel
  14. Royal Canadian Mint
  15. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
  16. Saint Brigid's Church
  17. Ottawa Little Theatre
  18. Ottawa Art Gallery
44–74 m

Photo: ViewpointD. Gordon E. RobertsonCC BY-SA 3.0

4.2/10
#8
Viewpoint

Ottawa Photo Walk: Most Instagrammable Spots

Photo spots

13 stops9.2 km3 h 10 min~276 m stairs

9.2 kmdistance3 h 10 minwith stops13stops+91 mgain~276 mstairs
4.3 sights7.2 efficiency1.5 hills0.0 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h+ up to 4 h 45 min insides+91 m climb along route
  1. Canadian War Museum
  2. Chaudière Falls
  3. Canadian Museum of History
  4. Peace Tower
  5. Parliament Hill
  6. National War Memorial
  7. Rideau CanalUNESCO
  8. Kìwekì Point Lookout
  9. National Gallery of Canada
  10. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
  11. Rideau Falls
  12. 24 Sussex Drive
  13. Rideau Hall
40–84 m

Photo: ViewpointDaniel HuCC BY 3.0

4.1/10
#9
Viewpoint

Easy Old Town Walk in Ottawa

Old town

6 stops4.2 km1 h 30 min

4.2 kmdistance1 h 30 minwith stops6stops+30 mgain
2.1 sights7.4 efficiency0.5 hills8.0 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 55 min+ up to 1 h 25 min insides+30 m climb along route
  1. Saint Brigid's Church
  2. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
  3. Rideau Street Chapel
  4. Macdonald-Cartier Bridge
  5. Ottawa Memorial
  6. Rideau Hall
40–69 m

Photo: ViewpointPeregrine981Public domain

4.1/10
#10
Viewpoint

Monuments & Memorials of Ottawa

Monuments Memorials

7 stops4.4 km1 h 15 min

4.4 kmdistance1 h 15 minwith stops7stops+21 mgain
1.7 sights8.5 efficiency0.4 hills7.4 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h+21 m climb along route
  1. National Holocaust Monument
  2. Thunderhead
  3. Memorial to the Victims of Communism
  4. National War Memorial
  5. Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  6. Valiants Memorial
  7. Ottawa Memorial
49–75 m

Photo: ViewpointAhuntCC0

4.1/10
#11
Viewpoint

Somerset, Ottawa: Walking Route

DistrictSomerset

11 stops6.0 km2 h 5 min

6.0 kmdistance2 h 5 minwith stops11stops+29 mgain
3.7 sights6.5 efficiency0.5 hills2.9 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 20 min+ up to 1 h 40 min insides+29 m climb along route
  1. Chief William Commanda Bridge
  2. Canadian War Museum
  3. Memorial to the Victims of Communism
  4. Peace Tower
  5. Parliament Hill
  6. National War Memorial
  7. Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  8. Confederation Square
  9. National Arts Centre
  10. Confederation Park
  11. Rideau CanalUNESCO
45–84 m

Photo: ViewpointJdstrungCC BY-SA 3.0

4.0/10
#12
Viewpoint

Easy Flat Walk in Ottawa (Kids & Stroller Friendly)

Easy walk

11 stops4.8 km2 h 5 min

4.8 kmdistance2 h 5 minwith stops11stops+21 mgain
2.1 sights7.3 efficiency0.4 hills6.4 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 5 min+ up to 2 h insides+21 m climb along route
  1. Confederation Park
  2. National Arts Centre
  3. National War Memorial
  4. Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  5. Confederation Square
  6. Valiants Memorial
  7. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
  8. Saint Brigid's Church
  9. Ottawa Art Gallery
  10. Laurier House
  11. Strathcona Park
56–74 m

Photo: ViewpointMichel Rathwell from Cornwall, CanadaCC BY 2.0

3.9/10
#13
Viewpoint

Ottawa Museum Walk

Museums

8 stops9.8 km2 h 50 min

9.8 kmdistance2 h 50 minwith stops8stops+48 mgain
3.6 sights7.4 efficiency0.8 hills0.0 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h 10 min+ up to 6 h 20 min insides+48 m climb along route
  1. Canadian Museum of Nature
  2. Laurier House
  3. Ottawa Art Gallery
  4. National Gallery of Canada
  5. Canadian Museum of History
  6. Bytown MuseumUNESCO
  7. Bank of Canada Museum
  8. Canadian War Museum
40–75 m

Photo: ViewpointWojciech DittwaldCC BY-SA 3.0

3.7/10
#14
Viewpoint

Churches & Cathedrals of Ottawa Walk

Churches

5 stops2.9 km1 h 20 min

2.9 kmdistance1 h 20 minwith stops5stops+10 mgain
1.2 sights7.7 efficiency0.2 hills8.2 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 40 min+ up to 1 h 20 min insides+10 m climb along route
  1. St. Patrick's Basilica, Ottawa
  2. St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church
  3. Rideau Street Chapel
  4. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
  5. Saint Brigid's Church
57–78 m

Photo: ViewpointDaryl Mitchell from Saskatoon, CanadaCC BY-SA 2.0

3.7/10
#15

Viewpoints of Ottawa in 2 Hours

Viewpoints

5 stops3.9 km1 h 15 min

3.9 kmdistance1 h 15 minwith stops5stops+49 mgain
0.5 sights8.0 efficiency0.8 hills8.8 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 50 min+49 m climb along route
  1. The Cliff
  2. Sparks Street Lookout
  3. View on the River
  4. Ottawa Locks
  5. Kìwekì Point Lookout
40–80 m
3.6/10
#16
Viewpoint

Ottawa Parks Walk

Parks

6 stops5.9 km2 h 10 min

5.9 kmdistance2 h 10 minwith stops6stops+25 mgain
2.7 sights7.0 efficiency0.4 hills3.3 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 15 min+25 m climb along route
  1. Strathcona Park
  2. Confederation Park
  3. Parliament Hill
  4. Major's Hill Park
  5. Kiwekì Point
  6. Jacques Cartier Park
40–78 m

Photo: ViewpointDavid Samuel, User:Hellodavey1902CC BY-SA 3.0

3.6/10
#17
Viewpoint

Hidden Gems of Ottawa in 2 Hours

Hidden gems

8 stops4.9 km1 h 55 min

4.9 kmdistance1 h 55 minwith stops8stops+38 mgain
0.6 sights7.8 efficiency0.6 hills5.9 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 5 min+ up to 40 min insides+38 m climb along route
  1. Portage Bridge
  2. Thunderhead
  3. St. Patrick's Basilica, Ottawa
  4. Capitol Cinema
  5. Confederation Square
  6. Valiants Memorial
  7. Kiwekì Point
  8. Saint Brigid's Church
40–78 m

Photo: ViewpointJFVollCC BY-SA 4.0

3.2/10
#18
Viewpoint

Ottawa Old Town Walking Tour

Old town

11 stops9.5 km2 h 45 min

9.5 kmdistance2 h 45 minwith stops11stops+76 mgain
2.5 sights7.0 efficiency1.3 hills0.0 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h 5 min+ up to 1 h 5 min insides+76 m climb along route
  1. Chief William Commanda Bridge
  2. Portage Bridge
  3. Thunderhead
  4. Memorial to the Victims of Communism
  5. Peace Tower
  6. National War Memorial
  7. Canadian Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
  8. Confederation Square
  9. Alexandra Bridge
  10. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
  11. Rideau Hall
40–84 m

Photo: ViewpointUnknownUnknownPublic domain

3.1/10
#19
Viewpoint

2 Days in Ottawa: Walking Itinerary

Multi-day

2 days53 stops34.1 km

19.5 kmdistance6 h 5 minwith stops20stops+92 mgain
1.5 sights7.1 efficiency1.5 hills0.0 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 4 h 15 min+ up to 4 h 20 min insides+92 m climb along route
  1. Chaudière Bridge
  2. Canadian War Museum
  3. Chief William Commanda Bridge
  4. Gladstone Theatre
  5. Commissioners Park
  6. Dominion Arboretum
  7. Canada Agriculture and Food Museum
  8. Hartwell's Lockstation
  9. Carleton University Art Gallery
  10. Billings Bridge
  11. Atlético Ottawa
  12. Ottawa Redblacks
  13. Ottawa 67's
  14. Lansdowne Park
  15. Canadian Museum of Nature
  16. Confederation Park
  17. Ottawa Art Gallery
  18. Ottawa Little Theatre
  19. Laurier House
  20. Strathcona Park
40–84 m

Photo: ViewpointBalcer~commonswikiCC BY 2.5

3.0/10
#20
Viewpoint

Easy Hidden Gems Walk in Ottawa

Hidden gems

8 stops5.3 km2 h

5.3 kmdistance2 hwith stops8stops+18 mgain
0.6 sights7.4 efficiency0.3 hills4.9 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 10 min+ up to 1 h 40 min insides+18 m climb along route
  1. Canadian Museum of Nature
  2. Confederation Square
  3. Valiants Memorial
  4. Plaza Bridge
  5. Saint Brigid's Church
  6. Ottawa Little Theatre
  7. Laurier House
  8. Strathcona Park
56–72 m

Photo: ViewpointSkeezix1000CC BY-SA 3.0

2.9/10
#21
Viewpoint

Rideau-Vanier, Ottawa: Walking Route

DistrictRideau-Vanier

11 stops6.9 km2 h 45 min

6.9 kmdistance2 h 45 minwith stops11stops+40 mgain
2.1 sights7.1 efficiency0.7 hills0.3 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 30 min+ up to 3 h insides+40 m climb along route
  1. Strathcona Park
  2. Laurier House
  3. Ottawa Little Theatre
  4. Ottawa Art Gallery
  5. Saint Brigid's Church
  6. Notre-Dame Cathedral Basilica
  7. Major's Hill Park
  8. Kiwekì Point
  9. National Gallery of Canada
  10. Macdonald-Cartier Bridge
  11. Ottawa Memorial
40–72 m

Photo: ViewpointTulliaCC BY-SA 3.0

2.9/10
#22
Viewpoint

Capital, Ottawa: Walking Route

DistrictCapital

7 stops6.1 km1 h 55 min

6.1 kmdistance1 h 55 minwith stops7stops+23 mgain
1.1 sights7.3 efficiency0.4 hills2.6 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 15 min+ up to 40 min insides+23 m climb along route
  1. Commissioners Park
  2. Lansdowne Park
  3. Ottawa 67's
  4. Atlético Ottawa
  5. Ottawa Redblacks
  6. Billings Bridge
  7. Carleton University Art Gallery
52–72 m

Photo: ViewpointThe original uploader was SimonP at English Wikipedia.CC BY-SA 3.0

2.8/10
#23

Stairways of Ottawa Walk

Stairways

11 stops9.7 km2 h 25 min~210 m stairs

9.7 kmdistance2 h 25 minwith stops11stops+11 mgain~210 mstairs
0.5 sights8.1 efficiency0.2 hills0.0 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 50 min+11 m climb along route
  1. Kippewa Stairs
  2. Second Stairs
  3. Lansdowne Stairs
  4. Clegg Stairs
  5. Herridge Stairs
  6. Hawthorne Stairs
  7. Pretoria Stairs
  8. Waverley Stairs
  9. Stairs
  10. Stairs to UCU Terrace
  11. Grand Escalier
40–72 m
2.3/10
#24
Viewpoint

Best Viewpoints in Ottawa: Walking Route

Viewpoints

8 stops7.4 km2 h 15 min

7.4 kmdistance2 h 15 minwith stops8stops+65 mgain
0.5 sights7.5 efficiency1.1 hills0.0 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 35 min+65 m climb along route
  1. Chaudière Falls
  2. The Cliff
  3. Sparks Street Lookout
  4. View on the River
  5. Ottawa Locks
  6. Kìwekì Point Lookout
  7. Rideau Falls
  8. Rideau Falls
40–80 m

Photo: ViewpointCharles John Colville of Culross, 1818-1903Public domain

2.2/10
#25
Viewpoint

Hidden Gems of Ottawa: Off-the-Beaten-Path Walk

Hidden gems

11 stops12.8 km3 h 55 min

12.8 kmdistance3 h 55 minwith stops11stops+51 mgain
0.6 sights7.4 efficiency0.8 hills0.0 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 2 h 50 min+ up to 1 h 20 min insides+51 m climb along route
  1. Commissioners Park
  2. National Holocaust Monument
  3. Chief William Commanda Bridge
  4. Portage Bridge
  5. Thunderhead
  6. St. Patrick's Basilica, Ottawa
  7. Capitol Cinema
  8. Confederation Square
  9. Kiwekì Point
  10. Saint Brigid's Church
  11. Laurier House
40–78 m

Photo: ViewpointYou may select the license of your choice.CC BY-SA 3.0

2.2/10
#26
Viewpoint

Bridges of Ottawa Walk

Bridges

6 stops7.6 km2 h

7.6 kmdistance2 hwith stops6stops+37 mgain
1.1 sights6.3 efficiency0.6 hills0.0 length
Stops & elevation
Walking only 1 h 40 min+37 m climb along route
  1. Chief William Commanda Bridge
  2. Chaudière Bridge
  3. Portage Bridge
  4. Alexandra Bridge
  5. Plaza Bridge
  6. Macdonald-Cartier Bridge
40–69 m

Photo: ViewpointSimonP at English WikipediaCC BY-SA 3.0

2.2/10

Hills: higher = steeper along the walk. Stairs (when shown): metres of mapped stairways near the route — approximate, not a step countvisit times are estimates.

Ottawa walking stats

From the 27 rated routes278 stops total74 unique places.

Most climb2 Days in Ottawa: Walking Itinerary — Day 2+103 m along route
Most stops / kmOttawa Loop Walk from Confederation Park3.2 stops per km
Least climbChurches & Cathedrals of Ottawa Walk+10 m along route
Most stairsOttawa Photo Walk: Most Instagrammable Spots~276 m mapped stairways (approx., not step count)
Longest / shortest19.5 km2.1 km2 Days in Ottawa: Walking Itinerary — Day 1 / One Hour in Ottawa: A Short Walk
Places on routes74unique stop ids
How we score. Same formula for every route: Sights 50% (how notable the stops are)Efficiency 25% (less backtracking between stops)Hills 10% (how steep the walk is)Length fit 15% (distance vs the kind of walk). Stairs stay a fact in metres, not a quality bar. Avg score in the hero is the mean across all ranked walks.

Ottawa FAQ

Short answers from this city’s data.

Best first-visit walk?
One Hour in Ottawa: A Short Walk (2.1 km, 1 h with stops) ranks #1 here.
Best months to walk Ottawa?
Apr, May, Sep, Oct are usually the nicest months for walking.
Shortest walk?
One Hour in Ottawa: A Short Walk2.1 km, walking 30 min.
One hour in Ottawa?
One Hour in Ottawa: A Short Walk: walking 30 min, with stops 1 h, 6 stops.
One-day plan?
Ottawa in One Day: Walking Itinerary: 19 stops, ~4 h 10 min on-route; suggested insides on marked stops; full day ≈ 5 h 35 min. Visit times are estimates.
Stairs and hills?
Hills is 10% of the score (higher = steeper along the walk). Stairs are not scored — when shown, they are metres of mapped stairways near the route (approximate; not a step count). Example: stairways ≈ 210 m, climb ≈ +11 m.
Can I change stops?
Yes — open in Maps, edit, then paste into Lineo for a cleaner order.
Why are some Google Maps links split?
Google Maps caps how many stops fit in one directions link (we use 11). Longer walks are split into numbered buttons (1/2, 2/2, …). Open them in order — each part starts where the previous one ended.