Downtown, Ottawa

Heart of Ottawa-Gatineau

🕒 Mid morning, Lunchtime, Mid afternoon

Cycle along the Rideau Canal towards the Ottawa River, cross into Gatineau and head back into Ottawa through Major's Hill Park Corktown Bridge

The heart of Ottawa tour gives you a good impression of Ottawa’s core. You will cycle along the Rideau Canal towards the Ottawa River behind the Senate and the Parliament buildings on a beautiful pathway. The pathway leads along the Ottawa River upstream to the Portage Bridge. Arriving in the province of Quebec, you can visit the Canadian Museum of History in Gatineau.

You will cross the historic Alexandra Bridge, from which you have spectacular views on the Ottawa River and the Parliament buildings. After cutting through Major's Hill Park, cycle along the canal towards the Corktown Bridge, where you will have a gorgeous view on the canal and the historic Chateau Laurier.

Scan this QR code with the Autoura Connect app

Practical information

You will need to provide one of the following: a regular bicycle, a mountain bike, a road bike

1 hour

No walking

Next available

Thursday 5 November 2026

Class/Price

standard

Physical activity level

moderate

Itinerary

Escape Bicycle Tours

Rent bicycles in downtown Ottawa, with a helmet, lock, digital map and rear bag included

Stay for 5 minutes

The National War Memorial - Ottawa

A 24-hour, free public memorial in Confederation Square, honouring Canadians who have served in wartime, peacekeeping and other operations

Rideau Canal Locks - Bytown Museum

Watch eight hand-operated locks step boats between the Ottawa River and the Rideau Canal beside the Bytown Museum

Royal Canadian Navy Monument

Memorial park at Richmond Landing honouring Royal Canadian Navy service and sacrifice, created for the Navy's 2010 centennial and unveiled in 2012

Portage Bridge

Portage Bridge is an interprovincial Ottawa River crossing between Ottawa and Gatineau, useful as both a practical crossing and an elevated viewpoint towards the Chaudiere Falls area

Canadian Museum of History

A riverside national museum landmark in Gatineau, with sweeping architecture and strong views across the Ottawa River toward Parliament Hill

Alexandra Bridge

Opened in 1901, Alexandra Bridge crosses the Ottawa River between Ottawa and Gatineau. It is used by pedestrians, cyclists and motorists as part of the National Capital Region’s transport network

Major Hill's Park

Major Hill's Park is Ottawa's first park, used as parkland since 1826. Today, it is a calm downtown oasis with views of the Rideau Canal locks, Ottawa River and Parliament Hill

Corktown Footbridge

A pedestrian and cycling bridge over the Rideau Canal, useful for crossing between the University of Ottawa side and the Golden Triangle/Somerset Street area while taking in canal views