Walking

Why walk?

Walking takes you places! For recreation or purpose, walking improves your health and can give you the most enjoyable moments in your day.

Walking is free! Choosing to use your feet saves you money on gas and parking fees.

Where to walk

Walking can take you where you need to go. If the journey is too long, combine your walk with OC Transpo routes.

Explore your neighbourhood and your city while being active. Map out your walk at Map my Walk Ottawa.

Walk near your local library after borrowing a good read! Use Ottawa Public Library Branch walking maps.

Enjoy nature? Hike and walk on the Capital pathways, parks and greenbelt area with beautiful views of nature you would have otherwise missed!

Taking your dog for a walk? Find new places to explore: Dog walking in Ottawa's Greenbelt.

Ontario Trails Council Ottawa Region gives you local information on trail maps and distances.

Join a local walking group.

Useful walking tools

Borrow a pedometer using your library card at any Ottawa Public Library branch.

Try the Ottawa Public Health Walking Log to compare your step count on different walks.

Use the Smartphone app to track your walking activities.

Consult the Ottawa Neighbourhood Study to find out how walkable your neighbourhood is.

Pedestrian Safety

Whether you walk for leisure, exercise or transport, check these Be Safe Be Seen tips to help you enjoy walking while being safe.

• Using cell phones while walking is distracting. Find a safe place to stop and make a call or text.
• Increasing your visibility helps motorists see you sooner, leaving more time to react.
• Wear fluorescent colours (orange, yellow, red) during the day and when not possible, wear white.
• Wear yellow or red reflective clothing during the dark hours and use reflective devices, like armbands and flashing lights.

Like to walk at night? Get your reflective gear from one of these local retailers.

Need more information to prepare your walk?

• Pedestrian signals
• Protect yourself from UV rays
• Accessible Pedestrian Signals (APS)

Additional information

• Ottawa Pedestrian Plan
• City of Ottawa Walk Friendly Silver Designation
• Safer Roads Ottawa Program
• Parenting in Ottawa
  • For children
  • For youth

Ottawa Public Library Branch walking maps

• Alta Vista Public Library
• Blackburn Hamlet Public Library
• Carlingwood Public Library
• Carp Public Library
• Centennial Public Library
• Cumberland Public Library
• Elmvale Acres Public Library
• Emerald Plaza Public Library
• Greely Public Library
• Greenboro District Library
• Hazeldean Public Library
• Main Public Library
• Manotick Public Library
• Metcalfe Public Library
• Nepean Centrepointe Public Library
• North Gloucester Public Library
• North Gower Public Library
• Osgoode Public Library
• Richmond Public Library
• Rideau Public Library
• Rockcliffe Public Library
• Rosemount Public Library
• Ruth E. Dickinson Public Library
• St-Laurent Public Library
• Stittsville Public Library
• Sunnyside Public Library
• Vanier Public Library
• Vernon Public Library

If you know of other retailers who sell reflective gear, get them added to the list by contacting our OPHIL line 613-580-6744.

For information on cycling tips, routes and safety visit the Start Cycling! page.