Hiking Mer Bleue Bog in Ottawa may just be the city’s best secret adventure.
Mer Bleue is the largest bog and natural area in Canada’s Capital Region and the second-largest bog in southern Ontario. Mer Bleue Bog is over 7,700 years old and provides habitat for many species of regionally rare and significant plants, birds and other wildlife. This completely free and accessible trail is one of my favorite things to do in the city.
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Our latest family outing brought us to Mer Bleue Bog Trail. We have been visiting this particular trail for a few years now and it is still our family favourite.
Mer Bleue Bogs Trail
Mer Bleue Bogs Trail is 1.3 kilometres of elevated boardwalk, and extends out into the Mer Bleue Bog. there are information panels that provide additional information on this very special ecosystem.
According to the information plates, Mer Bleue Bog is home to plants from the Arctic tundra, is a secret “sea” left over from the ice age, and one of the rarest micro-climates in Canada.
It is important to note that guests are not to leave the trail while in the bog; the eco-system is too fragile to sustain hikers at this volume. Once back across the bog and walking along the woods, the trail splits and offers guests a chance to roam free.
Don’t be scared if the boardwalk sways or moves while you walk across it. It is designed to have some flexibility to move with the soft earth underneath it or float when the area floods.
While walking the trail, there are a handful of benches to stop for a rest. You may also encounter bird watchers with their cameras and/or binoculars. If you or your party are too loud, they will ask you to quiet down. As this is a trail meant for relaxation and enjoying nature, loud and/or sudden noises jostle everyone around, including the wildlife.
Occasionally, you will see the water ripple and splash. This is the handiwork of local frogs and beavers. In all the years that I have been visiting Mer Bleue, I think I have only seen a beaver once, and it was too far away for the likes of my iPhone.
Getting There
When looking at the NCC website, it can be a little confusing which trail you want to visit. The one I am talking about is Trail 53, parking lot P22, Mer Bleue Bog Trail. There are other trails in the general area but they are strictly in the woods hiking trails.
When turning off Anderson Rd onto Ridge Rd, keep going until you reach the end; that is the parking lot of Mer Bleue Bog Trail. The parking space is limited, and street parking is available in places but there are private homes along this road and we must respect their property and privacy as well.
I recommend going early in the morning to avoid the crowds, and during the school year to visit during the weekday as most families and large groups will not be visiting at this time.
P21 Trail
From P21, the trail was flat, kinda sandy and we could hear the cars from the nearby road. This didn’t feel like “the great outdoors” so much as the woods behind our house. This trail alternates between forest and more open, grassy fields as it travels towards the Mer Bleue Bog.
The footing on the trail also changed as we walked along, from gravel, to dirt, to grass, and back again at times. The trail is really well maintained, and any area that looked like they might get wet at different times of the year had mini boardwalks built over top of them.
Practical Information:
Admission: Free
Open: Year-round. Gates open at 8:00 AM and close at 9:00 PM.
Parking: Free and ample at Parking Lot 22 (right next to the bog)
How long is it: 1.2-kilometre loop
Are dogs allowed: No. There are many trails that allow Dogs on or off leash, but Mer Bleue Bog trail is specifically no-dogs allowed.
HIKING GEAR
- Proper shoes and clothes
- Water
- Sunglasses
- Bug Spray
- Optional Camera
- Cell phone
- Tick Removal Tool