July 22nd, 2026 | Community
Touring the Best Ottawa Neighbourhoods By Bike With Chell Team
Summer is here, and what better way to enjoy Ottawa than on two wheels? Whether you’re out for a leisurely neighbourhood ride or looking for a longer adventure, Ottawa offers an incredible network of pathways, quiet residential streets and scenic routes to explore.
We thought we’d hop on our bikes and take you through some of our favourite Ottawa neighbourhoods for cycling, with plenty of great places to stop along the way.
Do you want to get to know some of our top Ottawa communities in more detail? Explore the city by reading our neighbourhood guides.
Civic Hospital Area
As the long-time home of our team lead, Susan Chell, the Civic Hospital area is one of our favourite neighbourhoods to explore by bike. With quiet residential streets, beautiful character homes and easy access to some of Ottawa’s best pathways, it’s a wonderful place to start a ride.
Just beyond the neighbourhood is the Central Experimental Farm, offering plenty of green space and scenic routes. From here, it’s also easy to connect to the Rideau Canal pathways and continue south toward Lansdowne Park and The Glebe.
The Glebe
The Glebe is another favourite for cyclists, thanks in large part to its location along the Rideau Canal. The pathway makes for a beautiful, mostly relaxed ride, whether you’re heading out for a weekend spin or simply using your bike to explore the neighbourhood.
And you don’t have to stay on the pathway to enjoy the Glebe. Take a ride through the residential streets and you’ll find plenty of beautiful older homes, mature trees and interesting architecture along the way.
We’ve only begun to describe what it’s like to visit or live in Ottawa! Learn even more in the posts below:
Hintonburg, Wellington Village, and Westboro Village
We might as well list out nearly every neighbourhood in Ottawa, because they’re all so cycling-friendly. Hintonburg, Wellington, and Westboro are particularly enjoyable as they all have access points to the Ottawa River.
The Ottawa River Pathway winds through green space along the river, making it a great route for cyclists, walkers, runners and anyone looking to enjoy the outdoors. And one of the best things about cycling in this part of the city is that you can easily combine a bike ride with a neighbourhood stop.
During the warmer months, NCC Weekend Bikedays give cyclists, walkers, runners and in-line skaters the chance to enjoy select parkways in Ottawa and Gatineau without motor vehicle traffic. It’s a wonderful, family-friendly way to get outside, enjoy the scenery and experience some of the city’s most beautiful routes at a more relaxed pace.
Along your travels, you can stop and refuel by savouring your favourite ice cream flavour at Merry Dairy. Their fun flavours make the exercise well worthwhile!
The weekend is also a great time to ride your bike to places like the Parkdale Market, and there are lots of bike shops around, like Full Cycle on Hamilton Avenue.
Since you’re out, you might as well stop by Westboro Beach in the summer. This area has recently been revamped, with some great restaurants where you can recharge your batteries.
Little Italy
Cycling through Little Italy is a great way to combine a ride with some of Ottawa’s best food. The neighbourhood is easily accessible from the pathway network, and once you’re off the trail, you’ll find plenty of restaurants, cafés and patios where you can stop for a bite or a coffee.
Art-Is-In Bakery and Beyond the Pale are two of our favourite stops when we’re in the area. A bike ride followed by something delicious? Sounds like a pretty good combination to us!
Thinking about making the move to Ottawa? Start by browsing a few of our active listings.
Crystal Beach/Brittania
There is never a bad time to live near the water, but summer is certainly when this part of Ottawa shines. The pathways around Crystal Beach and Britannia offer beautiful views of the Ottawa River and plenty of opportunities for a longer ride.
Britannia Beach is popular with residents and visitors alike, and arriving by bike means you can skip the search for a parking spot. And if you need a little motivation along the way, a stop at Beachconers for ice cream certainly doesn’t hurt! From here, you can continue west along Ottawa’s extensive pathway network toward Kanata and beyond, making this a great starting point for cyclists who enjoy longer rides.
Lower Town
New Edinburgh is a beautiful neighbourhood to explore by bike, with its quiet residential streets, historic homes and proximity to the Rideau River. It’s also close to Rideau Hall, the official residence of the Governor General, and the scenic paths and green spaces surrounding the area.
It’s a great neighbourhood for a leisurely ride, but be sure to leave time for a coffee or food stop. Union Street Kitchen Café is a local favourite — and if you’ve never tried their lavender lemonade, consider this your excuse! At this point, you can continue along Sussex Drive toward the ByWard Market, or head north and east toward Rockcliffe Park and the Ottawa River pathways. There are plenty of beautiful homes, mature trees and interesting architecture to admire along the way.
Rockcliffe Park
Some of Ottawa’s most impressive homes can be found in Rockcliffe Park, and the neighbourhood is particularly beautiful to explore by bike. From the residential streets, you can connect to the Ottawa River Pathway and enjoy the scenery along the water.
The newly renovated NCC River House is the perfect place to park your bike, go for a swim, or simply relax by the river. Afterwards, stop for a bite at the Rockcliffe Boathouse Restaurant, another popular waterfront spot nearby.
From there, you can continue toward the ByWard Market, or follow the river east for a long ride toward Orleans and even as far as Petrie Island, where a beach and plenty of recreational amenities await.
Are you ready to start the search for your new home in Ottawa? The posts below can help you plan:
- Why Now Is a Good Time to Buy a Home in Ottawa
- Questions to Ask When Buying a House
- Are Older Homes a Good Investment in Ottawa?
Honourable Mention: Gatineau
Why limit yourself to a single city for your cycling adventures? In Ottawa, you don’t even have to stick with the same province!
You can cross any one of several bridges right into Gatineau. The Alexandra Bridge has a pedestrian boardwalk, making for easy and safe passage. You can also take the scenic Chief William Commanda Bridge, an old railway bridge that is now just for pedestrians – and cyclists, of course!
Our neighbouring city offers an entire network of bike paths; you can go West to the Aylmer Marina or East around Casino Du Lac Lemay. Alternatively, head North into Gatineau Park, where the roads are often closed to vehicle traffic. Experienced cyclists will instantly fall in love with the steep hills around here – they are iconic!
The Pink Lake Climb, Lac Fortune Climb, and King Mountain Climb offer a challenging yet stunning route. If you work up an appetite, you’re in the right place. Just head into nearby Chelsea for a stop at a cafe, like at Palmier, a local favourite.
These are just a few places throughout the city that welcome cyclists and other nature lovers. To get an even clearer idea of just how cycling-friendly Ottawa really is, look no further than Bluesfest at Labreton Flats. This is one of our top summer music events, and it even features valet bike parking! Naturally, many attendees ride their bikes to the festival.
Do you want to know more about living in Ottawa or buying your next home here? Our Ottawa real estate agents are standing by. Reach out to 613.829.7484 or email mail@chellteam.com to learn more.
