The Best Parks and Walking Trails for Seniors to Enjoy This Fall around V!VA Barrhaven
Published on September 24, 2021
Spending time outside and immersing yourself in nature is highly beneficial. It can have a tranquil and calming effect on the mind while also allowing the body to engage in a mild, moderate, or high intensity workout that’s much needed after spending the majority of the past year indoors!
Living in Ottawa offers a wide range of natural splendour that’s just begging to be explored at every turn. There are a ton of walking trails in Barrhaven—a picturesque suburb of Ottawa—that range in difficulty to accommodate all physical capabilities. Make retirement or assisted living in Barrhaven more fun and exciting by discovering and experiencing everything that this beautiful area has to offer firsthand.
Here’s a list of some of the top walking trails for seniors in living in retirement homes or communities in Barrhaven.
Poet’s Pathway
Poet’s Pathway is a scenic trail that encompasses a 35 km stretch from Britannia Beach all the way to Beechwood Cemetery. It includes a number of intermingled and shared walking, running, and biking trails that vary in difficulty. With 12 short trails, this is very much a choose-your-own-adventure type of outdoor expedition. Each trail is marked with a number of plaques that are dedicated to and featuring the works of famous Canadian poets along the way. You can walk along the stunning Rideau River or take the McCarthy Woods Loop. No matter which path or paths you choose to take, you won’t be disappointed as they’re all equally entrancing.
Chapman Mills Conservation Area
Located in the town of Nepean, which is a small town just outside of Ottawa’s inner core, Chapman Mills Conservation Area is a scenic 3 km trail surrounded by lush greenery and plenty of local wildlife. It runs along the west bank of the Rideau River and consists of several natural sights including beautiful wetlands, the river shorelines, and Ottawa’s unique flood plains. There’s plenty of parking available onsite near Winding Way and the trail is adorned with walkways, boardwalks, stunning lookout points, and so much more. This is definitely the type of outdoor adventure you want to make a day of with your friends or family.
Pinhey Forest
Surrounded by a blanket of tall and picturesque coniferous trees, the Pinhey forest trail is the perfect outdoor adventure for a brief walk, hike, or bike ride. This easily accessible stretch of forest is located directly behind the Napean Sportsplex, so you can take a leisurely stroll on the paved pathway right after engaging in your choice of recreational activities with a friend or family member. Open year-round, Pinhey Forest is maintained all through the spring, summer, fall, and winter months by the City of Ottawa to ensure the safety and easy mobility of all who use it.
Stony Swamp Trail
Stony Swamp includes a 40 km trail that’s located in Ottawa’s west end close to highway 417 and 416. It’s located on land that’s owned and maintained by the National Capital Commission, so the trails are always clean and safe for hikers, bike riders, and outdoor adventurers of all types. Classified as a provincial significant wetland, Stony Swamp trail consists of hundreds of local plant and bird species that are unique to the area. Beaver ponds are also in abundance, so you might just spot a busy furry friend or two working on a dam. Sugar maple forests, bogs, regenerating pastures, and alvar clearings are also in abundance here. So go ahead and enjoy the breathtaking natural views and scenery with your walking partner!
The Old Quarry Trail
Consisting of a short 2.7 km stretch of scenic walkways that’s not too far off the main road, the Old Quarry Trail located in Kanata is another example of a well-known walkway that’s suitable for everyone, from experienced hikers to people with limited or no mobility. It should be noted that parts of the walkway are paved with asphalt while other areas contain wooden boardwalks. Perfect for a brisk early morning or evening walk after dinner, this is the ideal place to immerse yourself in the goings-on of the local wildlife and observe them in their natural habitat.
Eagle’s Nest Lookout
As far as lookout points in Ottawa go, Eagle’s Nest is definitely one of the most highly recommended for its expansive scenic natural views. Located in the famous Calabogie Peaks, Eagle’s Nest Lookout is a temperately difficult hiking trail that requires a little bit of skill and experience. Depending on your skill level and number of stops, the entire trail can take anywhere between two to three hours to complete. Getting to the top of the peak is only half the fun though because the stunning vistas are well worth the effort.
Gatineau Park
Gatineau Park is arguably one of the better known trails and outdoor locations on this list. Featuring a number of short and long trails that vary in difficulty and types of animal habitats, Gatineau Park is suitable for outdoor adventurers of all skill levels. Choose between taking brief strolls, long bike rides, or hiking to the highest peaks for stunning views. Winter sports such as skiing and tobogganing are also available.
Quality Retirement and Assisted Living in Barrhaven
V!VA Retirement Communities in Barrhaven is proud to be located near so many wonderful natural sights for our Community Members to explore. Whether you’re new to the area, are a frequent visitor, or you’ve lived here for a long time, there’s always a new sight to see and activity to try. We encourage all of our V!VA Barrhaven Community Members to keep an open mind and try new things within reason. Experience the V!VA advantage and see how much you can improve your vitality and quality of life by immersing yourself in the great outdoors. Contact us today to learn more about retirement living in Barrhaven.
