Kanata is better on foot than it gets credit for. Yes, it's a car-dependent suburb — but thread through the NCC Greenbelt, the community pond systems, and the quieter residential streets, and you'll find a genuinely walkable neighbourhood with real character. Here are the walks worth doing.
Walk 1: The Beaver Pond Loop (4.3 km, ~1 hour)
Start at the NCC Beaver Pond trailhead on Moodie Drive. The loop winds through second-growth forest and wetland, passing the active beaver pond at its heart — one of the most reliably scenic spots in the entire Ottawa Greenbelt. Keep your eyes open for great blue herons, muskrats, and in spring, nesting wood ducks.
The trail is groomed for skiing in winter. In all other seasons, it's a comfortable walk in trail runners or even casual footwear. Carry water, especially on warm days — there's no water access on the trail.
Walk 2: Kanata Lakes Pond Circuit (2.5 km, ~40 min)
The Kanata Lakes sub-community has built a network of pathways around its retention pond system that is enormously pleasant for an evening or weekend walk. Park near Old Second Line Road and follow the pond perimeter — you'll pass mature trees, well-maintained green space, and the kind of suburban tranquility that is genuinely underrated.
The duck pond in the middle of the circuit is a highlight. Bring bread for the kids; ignore the people who give you judgmental looks about feeding ducks.
Walk 3: Beaverbrook Heritage Streets (~2 km, ~30 min)
Beaverbrook is one of Kanata's oldest sub-communities, and its mature tree canopy and established streetscapes make for a surprisingly atmospheric urban walk. Start near the Beaverbrook Community Centre and wander the residential streets — the variety of architecture across the neighbourhood's decades of development is genuinely interesting.
Walk 4: Morgan's Grant New Community Loop (3 km, ~45 min)
Morgan's Grant represents Kanata's newest face. The community pathways here are wider, the green spaces more deliberate, and the overall planning more modern than the older sub-communities. Walk the main pond loop in the morning when the light is good — it's a calm, pleasant experience.
Walk 5: Shirley's Bay and Ottawa River Edge (variable distance)
For serious walkers, the Shirley's Bay trail network along the western edge of the NCC Greenbelt connects to the Ottawa River shoreline. This is wilder terrain, more suited to hikers than casual walkers, but the river views and the sense of wilderness this close to a major city are remarkable. Allow 2–3 hours and bring a map.
