If you live in Stittsville and haven't explored the Trans Canada Trail that runs through the community, you're missing out on one of the neighbourhood's best-kept secrets. And if you're a regular out there. You already know.
A Trail That Belongs to Every Season
The @love.stittsville account recently shared a look at the trail in its full year-round glory, and the response from the community said it all: this is a trail that people love deeply, regardless of the weather.
In summer, it's a shaded corridor for cyclists and walkers. In fall, the trees along the route turn into a tunnel of colour that rivals any park in the city. In winter, when conditions allow, it becomes a groomed route for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. And in spring, arguably the most underrated season on the trail. It comes alive with birdsong and the particular energy of a city shaking off winter.
What Is the Trans Canada Trail?
The Trans Canada Trail (now branded as The Great Trail) is one of the world's longest recreational trails, stretching over 27,000 kilometres across Canada from coast to coast. The Stittsville section is part of Ottawa's broader recreational pathway network, connecting the west end community to the larger urban trail system.
Locally, the trail passes through some of Stittsville's most scenic stretches, quiet enough to feel removed from the city, but accessible enough to reach from most neighbourhoods within minutes on foot or by bike.
What to Expect on the Trail
The Stittsville section of the Trans Canada Trail is paved and well-maintained, making it accessible for:
- Cycling: families with kids, commuters, and recreational riders all use this route regularly
- Walking and jogging: smooth surface, relatively flat, ideal for everyday exercise
- Inline skating: popular on the paved sections in summer
- Cross-country skiing: when there's enough snow, the trail gets used all winter
- Dog walking: it's a fixture of Stittsville's morning dog-walker crowd
Getting There
The trail has multiple access points throughout Stittsville. You can pick it up near the Stittsville Main Street area, along Hazeldean Road, or through several of the neighbourhood's park connections. It links up with the broader Ottawa pathway network, meaning an adventurous cyclist could follow it all the way into the city core.
Why Locals Love It
For Stittsville residents, the trail is more than just a recreational amenity. It's part of the community's identity. It's where neighbours run into each other, where kids learn to ride bikes, and where people go when they need a moment of fresh air and open sky.
If you haven't been lately, spring is as good a time as any to get back out there.
Source: @love.stittsville on Instagram
