Skating down the Rideau Canal
A day in Ottawa· CAN

Skating down the Rideau Canal

Written by Kayley·27 July 2026
Tested by Nick & Kayley·February 2026
Half Day5 stops

For a few short weeks every winter, the Rideau Canal freezes over and allows people of all ages to skate along a 7.8km stretch of it. If skating is not in the cards, there is a pedestrian walkway just off the ice for the full length as well.

Our day, stop by stop

All prices are per person

  1. S

    Start
    50 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9J7, Canada
  2. Walk · 5 min··Rideau Canal, Ottawa, ON, Canada

  3. ~5 minutes

    The canal only opens when it is deemed safe. Always follow recommendations from the NCC and check the ice conditions before skating. Website: https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/skateway-ice-conditions

    The entry to the canal located in downtown Ottawa. There are heated changing rooms, bathrooms, concessions, and rentals available here.

    45°25'25.8"N 75°41'31.9"W
  4. Skate · 1 hour··905 Hartwells Locks Ln, Ottawa, ON K2C 3R6, Canada

  5. After a mammoth effort, take a moment to breathe and realise how far you just skated.

    905 Hartwells Locks Ln, Ottawa, ON K2C 3R6, Canada

  6. ~15 minutes10.00 CAD

    The rest areas have bathrooms, food, drinks, fire-pits (on weekends), and benches to rest.

    Fifth Rest Area has the most choices of food, treats, and drinks. It's at KM 3.0 into the 7.8km one-way stretch of ice.

    Treat yourself to a BeaverTail! It's a Canadian right of passage to have one on the Canal... and don't worry, no actual beavers are harmed in the making of these. It's a deep fried pastry with your choice of topping.

    The ice conditions can vary wildly from one day to the next. The colder the weather outside is, the better the ice will likely be. Make sure to bundle up and wear layers on cold days, or be prepared for cracks and melted ice on warmer days. The NCC does a fantastic job of updating ice conditions twice a day on their website.

    Please note that one of us plays hockey and has been skating since they were 3. The other half is newer to skating but quite comfortable, so our time to skate the canal is probably much quicker than someone who is new to skating, skating with little ones, or who decides to walk.

    Enjoy a rest from your skating!

    Rideau Canal, Ottawa, ON, Canada
  7. Skate · 1 hour··Byward Market - Parliament Hill, Ottawa, ON K1A 0A4, Canada

  8. ~5 minutes

    The canal only opens when it is deemed safe. Always follow recommendations from the NCC and check the ice conditions before skating. Website: https://ncc-ccn.gc.ca/places/skateway-ice-conditions

    The entry to the canal located in downtown Ottawa. There are heated changing rooms, bathrooms, concessions, and rentals available here.

    45°25'25.8"N 75°41'31.9"W
  9. Walk · 10 min··128 George St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9N9, Canada

  10. ~1 hour35.80 CAD
    128 George St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9N9, Canada
  11. Walk · 10 min··50 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9J7, Canada
  12. E

    End
    50 Rideau St, Ottawa, ON K1N 9J7, Canada

Closing notes

Total time: approximately 4 hours

Our totals (per person) from our last time in February 2026:

  • Price for the day without including accommodations : $45.80 CAD

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