Without your support and donations, the trail could not exist.
One of Ottawa's Top 5 Winter Experiences - Voted by Residents in 2021!
Explore Your Neighbourhood Winter Trails
This multi-use urban trail is welcoming and inclusive, offering opportunities for all forms of winter activity – including cross-country skiing, winter biking, snow shoeing, and walking – while promoting active winter living and enriching Ottawa’s National Capital winter experience.
Trail Map
The Britannia Winter Trail offers nearly 20 kilometers of groomed pathways. Centered in Britannia Park, Ottawa, the trail extends east along the multi-use recreational pathway (Trans-Canada Trail) to the Deschenes Rapids parking lot and west through Andrew Hayden Park. It runs along the multi-use path adjacent to the Ottawa River, passing near the Belltown Dome.
Convenient parking is available at Britannia Park, Andrew Hayden Park (waterpark area), Dick Bell Park, and Deschenes Rapids.
This is a community led initiative run by a wonderful group of volunteers
It really does take a village! A huge thank you to all our amazing volunteers—tune in as we share just a few of the many roles that help make this trail possible.
About Us
The non-for-profit Britannia Winter Trail Association (BWT) was formed by a group of dedicated volunteers who came together in the spring of 2019, inspired by Bay Ward Councillor Theresa Kavanagh, to explore the creation of an urban winter trail in the Britannia Park area.
A working group was established with community members taking the lead. Startup funding was provided by the City of Ottawa and the National Capital Commission (NCC), enabling a successful six-week pilot in February and early March 2020.
The Britannia Winter Trail Association is managed by a volunteer Board of Directors composed of community members from the neighborhoods surrounding the BWT, including Belltown, Britannia, Lincoln Heights and Queensway Terrace North.
The 2021-2021 season marked the first official year of the Britannia Winter Trail.
Funding
The trail is supported and funded by the City of Ottawa, the National Capital Commission (NCC), sponsors, and generous community donations.
We gratefully accept contributions via e-transfer to [email protected] (100% of your donation goes directly to BWT) or through our GoFundMe page.
Etiquette
Walkers, skate skiers, snowshoers, winter cyclists, and sled users are encouraged to stay in the middle of the trail to help keep the classic ski tracks in good shape for everyone.
Dogs are welcome on the trail wherever they’re not restricted by by-law. The main trail along the multi-use pathway is dog-friendly, but please note there are a few clearly marked areas within Britannia Park where dogs aren’t allowed. Dogs should be on a leash, and owners are asked to be responsible and considerate of others. And of course, please “stoop and scoop”!
When the trail is busy, a little courtesy goes a long way—slower users should stay to the right, and faster users can pass on the left after giving a friendly heads-up and making sure the way is clear.
Grooming
In 2020, the Britannia Winter Trail Association (BWTA) acquired a secondhand Tidd Tech groomer with two track setters and a used Tidd Tech roller, both pulled by a used Arctic Cat Bearcat 440 snowmobile.
In 2021, the BWTA purchased a new Skandic 900 Ace snowmobile to replace the Arctic Cat, along with a used 40-foot high-ceiling container for grooming equipment storage. The Arctic Cat snowmobile was subsequently sold.
In 2022, the BWTA expanded its fleet with a new Can-Am Outlander XT 1000R equipped with a track system (replacing the wheels), a new YST Ginzu groomer with a single-track setter, a 14-foot utility trailer for transporting grooming equipment, and an additional used 20-foot container for extra storage.
During the 2022–2023 grooming season, this new equipment enabled the volunteer team to expand the trail network and increase grooming frequency.
In 2023, the BWTA purchased a new Pelican Tek Sport utility sled to support the transport of cross-country ski equipment for the organization’s loan and lesson program.
During the 2023–2024 grooming season, the upgraded equipment again allowed the volunteer team to expand the trail network and improve grooming frequency.
In 2025, the BWTA acquired another used 40-foot high-ceiling container for equipment storage and converted the 20-foot container into a space for cross-country ski equipment loans and lessons.
Planned future purchases include a second new YST Ginzu groomer with a single-track setter and a YST roller.
Sponsors
Members
