The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Parc Du Lac-Beauchamp

Canada Aviation and Space Museum parking area is a massive, all-outdoor surface lot with almost 600 parking spaces. Visitors very rarely have trouble finding a spot, even during busy summer weekends or special events. You can pay to park by using one of the five automated pay meters via credit or debit card. The Ottawa River Pathway runs directly behind the museum grounds, so this lot functions also as an excellent, secure staging area to unload bicycles and hop onto the riverside bike path.

On the back side of the Canada Aviation and Space Museum, the packed gravel Ottawa River Pathway hugs the waterline. The CYRYC Rockcliffe Yacht Club has a concrete boat launch ramp cutting into the river, which was built in the 1930s to launch RCAF seaplanes when the property belonged to CFB Rockcliffe. This area can be busy with boats on summer days, so be alert. There is a Yacht Club building, and a floating dock with boats. Take a break here and read some boat names while enjoying the water.

Gatineau's Parc du Lac-Beauchamp is a lovely woodland haven in the city. Centred around the lake, there are well-maintained trails to explore here, including the popular East and West Loops. In winter, you can enjoy skiing and snowboarding here, while the summer sees swimmers use the lake's pretty beach.

Parc du Lac-Beauchamp's serene woodland is home to well-maintained trails, including both and East Loop and a West Loop. Both offer simple walking with very little elevation gain. The West Loop takes you through a hardwood section of forest and you're never far from the lake, its beach and recreation area.

Rockcliffe Airport is a small airfield nestled right along the river and is one of Canada’s oldest active airports. Originally established as a military air station in the early 20th century, it played an important role in Ottawa’s aviation history and sits next to the Canada Aviation and Space Museum. From the trail, you can look across the open airfield and may even spot small aircraft taking off, landing, or moving along the runway.

As the name suggest this is a popular winter destination for families to bring the kids for a sliding session. During the rest of the year those looking for a cardio workout can use the hill for training as long as the grass isn't too high.

This multi-use trail connects to the wide network of trails throughout the city and offers hikers, joggers, and cyclists access to many park and green areas throughout the summer. Snowshoers and XC skiers can take to the same trail during winter when conditions are right.

This trail follows along the banks of its namesake river for nearly 12 kilometers between Rideau Falls and the Rideau Canal at Hogs Back Falls. Along its path you'll pass through many parks and multiple bridges that can take you across the river. As such you can take this as an out and back route or take one of the bridges to the opposite side and create a nice loop.