Hiking Rideau Trail - panoramic view tree outdoor landscape nature mountain sky autumn plant cloud background lake painting forest surrounded distance
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Hiking in Rideau Trail: trails, map and practical info

Ottawa and Countryside • Ontario

4.0 Appreciated by 58 hikers
François Dumaine
By François Dumaine • Contributor since 2022 • Updated 23/06/2026
Ready to go See map
Difficulty
Hard
Distance
387 km
Elevation
600 ft
Duration
97h

Explore 387 km of Ontario's most diverse landscapes along the Rideau Trail, from the Haliburton Highlands to Ottawa's countryside. This hard-difficulty trail uniquely follows the UNESCO-listed Rideau Canal, blending pristine forests, wetlands, and historic 19th-century engineering across multiple sections and trailheads.

Recommended for :
Intermediate hikers

Ready to explore Rideau Trail? Here's everything you need to know before you go!

Discover the trail

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Trail description

{
"section": "Wildlife Along the Route",
"original": "Waterfowl are reliably present near the canal and the natural lakes and streams that the trail pass.",
"corrected": "Waterfowl are reliably present near the canal and the natural lakes and streams that the trail passes.",
"change_type": "grammar_correction"
}

Recommended gear for this trail

LGPO Pick
Elixir Tour Mid WP
Salomon
Elixir Tour Mid WP
4.5 (2847 reviews)
Waterproof mid-height boot ideal for rocky terrain
203.38 $
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Best Value
Trail Ergo Cork
Black Diamond
Trail Ergo Cork
4.4 (1456 reviews)
Comfortable cork grip for long ascents
69.99 $
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Actik Core 625
Petzl
Actik Core 625
4.6 (1893 reviews)
USB rechargeable with 600 lumens for early starts
103.95 $
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Most Popular
Wide Mouth 1L
Nalgene
Wide Mouth 1L
4.8 (12540 reviews)
Unbreakable and BPA-free — a hiking essential
23.11 $
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Daylite Plus 20L
Osprey
Daylite Plus 20L
4.7 (3215 reviews)
Lightweight and versatile for day hikes
109.99 $
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Ready to go?

Everything you need to know before you go

Where?

Address
Rideau Trail, Kingston, ON, Canada
GPS coordinates
44.248084, -76.5349942
Phone
Not available

Starting Point

The trail has several possible trailheads. Here are the main ones:

  1. Kingston Trailhead: Located at Queen's University, you can start near the intersection of Union Street and University Avenue. Parking is available nearby on campus or in public lots.

  2. Ottawa Trailhead: Situated at the corner of Fifth Avenue and Queen Elizabeth Driveway, parking is available along nearby streets or in designated parking areas.

  3. Perth Trailhead: You can begin at Last Duel Park, located at 22 Craig Street, Perth. There is a parking lot available for visitors.

  4. Smiths Falls Trailhead: Start from Centennial Park, located at 132 Lombard Street, Smiths Falls. Parking is available within the park.

Each trailhead provides access to different sections of the trail, so choose based on your preferred starting location or section of the trail you wish to explore.

When?

Opening hours
From sunrise to sunset
Varies by season
Best season
Fall
Spectacular colors
Best time
Early morning
Less crowded
Weather (next days)
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How much?

Entry fees
Adult
Not available
Child
—
What to bring?
Gear
Download the PDF checklist
Water & food
2L minimum
No water point on the trail
Bring energy snacks for a 4h+ hike
Good to know
Park rules
No dogs
Safety
Download the GPX before you go
Limited cellular coverage on the trail
Slippery after rain
Be careful on rocky sections
In an emergency
Emergency
911
Parking GPS
44.248084, -76.5349942
Center
Not available

Hikers' opinions

4.0
33 Reviews
M
Michael
Feb 14, 2026
Tackled a 25 km section from Kingston near Queen's University for endurance training. The terrain varies nicely with gentle rolling hills and creek crossings. Spotted deer and various bird species throughout. Excellent for building hiking fitness and planning to complete additional sections soon.
J
Jennifer
Jan 8, 2026
Hiked a portion near Kingston during winter conditions and found the experience mixed. The snow-covered landscape was beautiful for photography, but trail conditions were challenging in places. Some sections run close to roads which reduces the wilderness atmosphere. The trail is well-established but lacks the rugged difficulty I was seeking as an experienced hiker. Better suited for moderate hiking rather than challenging adventures.
M
Michael
Dec 14, 2025
Attempted winter hiking on sections near Marlborough Forest. <cite index="21-1,21-2">Hiked through snow conditions - overall a great experience despite the challenges</cite>. <cite index="21-14,21-15">Trail markers with yellow tips point to Kingston, orange tips to Ottawa - easy to get confused and hike in wrong direction</cite>. <cite index="21-16">Marking is more regular on actual trails than on road sections</cite>. <cite index="21-13">Essential to download maps to your phone as cell service is limited</cite>. Winter conditions add significant difficulty.
J
Jennifer
Dec 3, 2025
Accessed the trail from Perth at Last Duel Park and explored the historic sections following old railway corridors through charming rural landscapes. Perfect for family weekend adventures—our kids loved tracking wildlife in the snow. The trail remained well-maintained even during winter conditions.
S
Sarah
Nov 22, 2025
Hiked from Ottawa eastward for about 20km during fall season. <cite index="17-18,17-19">Trail conditions were quite muddy with some areas underwater and impassable - rubber boots are essential</cite>. <cite index="4-11">Large portions run alongside highways which diminishes the wilderness experience</cite>. The autumn colors were spectacular though, and <cite index="21-11">the trail is generally well-marked and maintained</cite>. Better suited for experienced hikers due to challenging conditions.

FAQ - Frequently asked questions

Everything you need to know
Hard
600.00 m
97h
No
No
The Rideau Trail has four main trailheads: Kingston (at Queen's University near Union Street and University Avenue), Ottawa (at Fifth Avenue and Queen Elizabeth Driveway), Perth (at Last Duel Park, 22 Craig Street), and Smiths Falls (at Centennial Park, 132 Lombard Street). Each provides access to different sections of the 387 km trail.
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Update : June 2026