Tues.
6 October: The Capital
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| Final stretch of Rideau Trail approaching the Capital |
This might be the finest urban hike in Canada.
I would recommend this route to any visitors to Ottawa. You will not fail to leave with a sense of
awe and of admiration for our Capital City.
If you are visiting Ottawa for the first time, you
will be impressed by the views of Canada’s Capital City as you approach it along
the southern shoreline of the Ottawa River.
The excitement and anticipation rise as you skirt the foot of the cliff
to reach the grand staircase of the Ottawa Locks on the Rideau Canal. Swinging right at the top of the locks, there
ahead of you is Parliament Hill and the grandeur and the “in-your-face”
security that these days go hand-in-hand here at the seat of Canada’s
government.
I had travelled this path just under a year ago as I
completed my end-to-end journey along the Rideau Trail. Today was a warm Fall lunchtime, and the
pathways were busy with office workers and government employees taking their noontime
exercise beside the river. Ottawa was
alive with activity.
Instead of returning down the Ottawa River pathway, I
continued westwards past the Houses of Parliament, along Wellington Street,
Canada’s most distinguished street, full of sturdy stone buildings, containing government
offices, the Ottawa Library and Archives, and The Supreme Court of Canada, just
to name a few.
From here I returned westwards beside the river as far
as Tunneys Pasture. Here the riverside
stone sculptures had multiplied in numbers since my first visit, creating a
bizarre scene of random art for the enjoyment of passing travellers.
Note: single-click on the first picture above to scroll through the photos separately.
Statistics:
Total Distance: 12.5 km (hike)
Height Gain: Say 100 ft.
Time on Trail: 3 hrs. 2 mins.
Armstrong St.: 11.25 am
End Rideau Tr: 12.21 pm
Rail Bridge: 1.18 pm
Tunneys Pasture: 1.37 pm
Ret. to car: 2.27
pm
Temp: +14 to +15C
Weather: Overcast.
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| Rideau Canal - Ottawa Locks... |
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| ...magnificent final canal staircase down to the Ottawa River |
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| The Parliament Buildings |
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| Busy day for tourists at the Houses of Parliament |
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| Ottawa reflections |
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| The Supreme Court of Canada |
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| Rideau Trail and Capital Pathway west of the city centre |
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| Approaching Tunneys Pasture |
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| Growing number of rock sculptures beside the Ottawa River |
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| Today's route |
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