As a lover of trails and bridges, Chapman Mills Conservation Area has a special place in my heart. The boardwalk and trail takes you along the Rideau River, and under the beautiful Vimy Memorial Bridge. This 3 km round-trip trail will take the average user 45 minutes to complete.
Getting to Chapman Mills
Chapman Mills is located at 253 Winding Way in Nepean.
Parking holds 2 dozen cars or so, and can therefore appear very crowded. There is some street parking, however. Just be mindful of the neighbours.
The Trail
Chapman Mills is open year-round.
This conservation area consists of 23 acres and is mostly natural River shoreline and wetlands. The trail is 1.5km long but it doesn’t loop around; therefore you must simply turn around and walk back to the parking area, thus making it a 3km trail. There is a small section near the parking lot that splits into two, so there is a little variety on the way back. At the parking area, there is also a covered picnic area, look out and kayaks launch. Many have been seen scuba diving or fishing in the waters, though I can’t be sure if they caught anything.
Please be careful when entering the water, either by kayak or swimming; the Rideau River is an active navigation channel. Boats and speed boats can often be seen whizzing by.
Along the water’s edge, there are a handful of benches looking out onto the water. Some are more secluded than others, but they are a great spot to sit and listen to the silence of the trail and passing of the water.
Throughout the trail, you will find mostly boardwalks over the wetlands or a gravel path. Both are flat and wide enough to be wheelchair accessible. Bikes are permitted, but certain areas require riders to dismount.
My favourite part of the trail is the Vimy Memorial Bridge. Completed in 2014, the bridge goes over the Rideau River and connects Standherd Dr and Earl Armstrong Rd. It is named after the Battle of Vimy Ridge and has a dedicated pedestrian walkway on the outside of the bridge.
If you keep going to the end of the trail, which technically runs from parking lot to parking lot, you will find yourself under the bridge. Ducks like to swim around this area, and families have a habit of sitting around for group photos. It is a beautiful area to sit and watch the water. The cars above cause a light humm but nothing overwhelmingly loud.
Fairy doors
A little favourite of the kids is the fairy doors. Every so many feet, stumps and bridge posts, you will find a painted fairy door nailed to the wood. They are adorable and kids love looking for them along the trail.
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