Best Hikes Around Ottawa to See the Fall Colours but Avoid the Crowds

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Last year when it was time to check out the fall colours around Ottawa, I was very pregnant. So we stuck with a shorter trail that we were familiar with! We got lucky when it came to avoiding the crowds (which can get pretty overwhelming in Gatineau Park during the fall) because we ended up going a bit later in the season, and on a rainy day. Even still, there were LOTS of people out.

So this year, I started wondering where we might be able to go to enjoy the stunning colours on display near the Capital where it might not be TOO crowded (and we wouldn’t have to waste our time searching for a parking spot!).

I think we might be in luck this year because now that I’m off work, I can take my daughter hiking on weekdays when things will be a little less busy. She also likes to get up early to avoid the crowds, so we have that working in our favour… I guess?

But not everyone can head out early on a Tuesday morning! So, out of all the hikes we’ve done over the years, I’ve chosen my favourites to help you immerse yourselves in the beauty of the fall season, without needing to be immersed in a crowd to do it.

Hiking Trails in Gatineau Park

When people think of seeing the changing leaves in the fall, they think of Gatineau Park. Of course! Not only are there tons of stunning trails there with great lookouts, but a shuttle bus also runs out there during the peak season, and there are lots of cool events going on.

If you’re looking to avoid some of the hoopla, consider hitting up some of my favorites in the park that I think will be a little less crowded.

Luskville Falls Trail

Distance from Ottawa: 35 kilometres

Length of the Trail: 4.2 kilometres

Why it’s great for Fall Hiking: The Luskville Falls Trail climbs up the Eardley Escarpment, getting you a little further into Gatineau Park than other weekend explorers might go. See you later, crowds! The trail itself is rocky, and has some elevation gain, so it’s a nice challenge on a cool day. The waterfall running beside the trail will look STUNNING amongst the fall foliage, and there are lots of places to stop and enjoy the view along the trail. Plus, the fire tower at the top is cool to see!

Notes: I’ve talked about how important it is to Leave No Trace in my previous post about the Luskville Falls. Please remember to do your best to stay on the trail, and bring out everything you bring in! Dogs are not allowed on this trail. There are lots of rocks along the trail that can get slippery, so good footwear is a must for this one!

Wolf Trail

Distance from Ottawa: 25.5 kilometres

Length of the trail: 8.3 kilometres

Why it’s great for fall hiking: Wolf Trail has TWO great lookouts, and at a distance of roughly eight and a half kilometres, it makes for a good long walk in the woods! The views from either lookout are totally worth it.

Notes: Dogs are allowed on leash on this trail (except for during the winter)! And if the weather stays warm enough, you can cool off after your hike with a dip in Meech Lake while the beaches are open, right across from the trailhead. This hike is probably one of the most popular on this list, so the parking lot MIGHT fill up- go early!

Skyline Trail

Distance from Ottawa: 20 kilometres

Length of the Trail: 5.3 kilometres

Why it’s great for Fall Hiking: I hiked the Skyline Trail for the first time this past summer. Regardless! I’m going to confidently say that this would be a great one to hike in the fall. There are multiple lookouts, and some even have lovely little benches for you to sit and take in the view. There’s just enough uphill that you’ll break a sweat along the way, but I’m confident that it will be so beautiful you’ll be able to use stopping to take pictures as an excuse to rest!

Notes: Dogs are allowed on this trail (on leash). The first part of the trail is shared with bikers, so keep an eye out for them! Or an ear, often you can hear them before you see them.

P.S. pay attention to parking signs in Gatineau Park! Parking is not allowed on the side of the road and they do pass out  parking tickets (especially during the busy season).

Hiking Trails in the Greenbelt

I think I’m sometimes guilty of forgetting about the Greenbelt when it comes to getting outdoors in the fall! But since all of the hikes I’ve mentioned already have a bit of elevation gain in common, here are a few of my favorites that are in the Greenbelt and on flatter ground. While everyone else is headed over to Gatineau Park to take in the views, you can stay in Ottawa and avoid the crowds!

Mer Bleue

Distance from Ottawa: 15 kilometres

Length of the trail: 1.5 or 8.5 kilometres (depending on your route)

Why it’s great for Fall Hiking: I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. Mer Bleue is stunning in any season. But the colours that appear there in fall are truly unique. It’s actually so beautiful that lots of people choose to do photo shoots there in the fall. Don’t forget your camera!

Notes: Dogs are not allowed on this trail because the ecosystem is so fragile. So you should stay on the trail too! The shorter route has been designed to be universally accessible, so this trail is truly perfect for anyone.

Stony Swamp

Distance from Ottawa: 19 kilometres

Length of the Sarsaparilla Trail: 0.8 kilometres

Length of the Jack Pine Trail: 2.25 kilometres

Length of the Lime Kiln Trail: 4 kilometres

Why it’s great for Fall Hiking: I guess I’m kind of cheating with this one, smooshing three hikes in for the price of one. But Stony Swamp as a whole is a great place to visit, so it was hard to choose just one! All these hikes are nice and easy (and the Sarsaparilla Trail is universally accessible!). On each trail, there’s something beautiful to see, whether it’s the ruins of the Lime Kiln, a viewing platform over the wetlands, or a cool boardwalk through swampier sections of trail. The fall colours will be lovely, but the best part (in my opinion) will be seeing the friendly little critters who are preparing for colder months!

Notes: Take a look at the map of the area if you’d like a longer walk- lots of the trails in Stony Swamp link together! Dogs are not allowed on the Jack Pine or Sarsaparilla Trails (so if the critters are your favorite part, go there- they won’t be scared off!).

I hope this trip report has enough info to get you there too. Let me know in the comments, or share and tag a friend to start planning your next adventure!