The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Greenbelt

This section of the Rideau Trail cuts straight through Monaghan Forest. First imagined in 1971 and named after the Rideau Canal, the trail crosses everything from farmland to rugged Canadian Shield between Kingston and Ottawa. The wider Rideau watershed has been home to Indigenous peoples for thousands of years, with the Algonquin Nation historically present across its northern two-thirds.

This is one of Lafarge's quarries, where limestone rock is mined and crushed to make cement. From here, you have a good view of some of the mining operations.

Forest Valley is great for summer and winter fun. In summer, hiking and biking on certain trails is the best way to see this protected area. In winter, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, fat tire biking and even skating on frozen ponds bring the forest to life in winter. Please stay on the paths to protect vegetation. The trail network here is perfect for exploring loops of different sizes instead of just out and back trails.

This trail within Forest Valley follows a fence line for about 900 meters, a straight shot, and still wooded and beautiful.

Leave the pavement and enter the dirt trails of Forest Valley, the densely wooded track of land sandwiched between suburban neighbourhoods. The area is open to dog walking, but there are signs that state if dog owners don't pick up after their dog, there's a heavy fine.

McCarthy Park sits beside McCarthy Woods and serves as a practical access point for routes in the area. The park includes sports fields, tennis courts, a playground, and open green space, with paved paths connecting directly to surrounding neighbourhood streets. Parking and washrooms (seasonal) make it a convenient start for walks, runs, or bike rides that continue into McCarthy Woods. Its flat layout and clear signage make it easy to navigate and useful as a facility hub before heading onto the nearby forest trails.

McCarthy Woods is a large mature maple forest and meadow complex in Ottawa that offers a tranquil yet accessible escape within the urban landscape. The area features mostly level dirt trails winding through tall maples, wildflower meadows, and quiet glade spaces. It serves as a meaningful green corridor and scenic stop for routes passing through the southern ridge of Ottawa’s greenbelt.

Athans Park is a quiet green space in Ottawa’s south end, and is a peaceful setting for walking, running, and outdoor exercise. There are well-maintained pathways that connect to the larger network of trails in Convoy Pit, beautiful mature trees, and open grassy areas that make it a favourite for locals due to its easy access from nearby neighbourhoods. It’s a convenient spot to stretch your legs or go for a short run to enjoy a breath of fresh air.