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There’s a lot to love about living in Ottawa’s west end, especially if you love the outdoors. When you live at Baseline Court apartments (1785–1815 Baseline Road), there’s no shortage of nature to explore, including some of Ottawa’s Capital Pathway networks, greenspaces, and National Capital Commission (NCC) Greenbelt destinations. Whether you enjoy a daily walk, a good morning jog, a scenic weekend bike ride, or an off-leash adventure with your dog, here’s our guide of the best parks and trails in the area.

Pinecrest Creek Pathway and Experimental Farm Pathway

Just a short walk or bike ride east, toward Baseline Station, you’ll find two major multi-use pathways – Pinecrest Creek Pathway and the Experimental Farm Pathway.

The Pinecrest Creek Pathway is a fully paved path that follows the scenic Pinecrest Creek corridor up towards the Ottawa River. It offers an easy cycling route which connects you to Lincoln Fields and Westboro Beach.

The Experimental Farm Pathway runs east and takes you through rolling fields, farms, and mature tree areas, and past the Dominion Arboretum and Hartwell Locks at the Rideau Canal. It’s a local favourite for marathon runners and walkers.

Ainsley Park and local Greenbelt pockets

If you walk just 10 to 15 minutes from Baseline Court, you’ll find Ainsley Park. It’s a quiet, residential green space. It features mature trees, grass fields, and paved paths. It’s a great spot to relax and read a book, get a quick walk in, or picnic with friends.

The surrounding Nepean area features small municipal greenbelt pockets and wooded areas that offer quiet, traffic-free walking loops if you need to stretch your legs.

Bruce Pit

Bruce Pit is adored by pet parents and trail lovers alike. It’s part of Ottawa’s National Capital Greenbelt and is located just southwest of Baseline Road in Stony Swamp. It features a large off-leash dog park and a picture-perfect pond.

Beyond the dog park, you’ll find kilometres of gravel and dirt paths that wind through pine plantations and hardwood forests. In the summer, it’s a great spot for birdwatching and trail running. In the winter, some of the trails are used for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

Britannia Conservation Area and Mud Lake

If you head north toward the Ottawa River, you’ll reach Britannia Conservation Area and Mud Lake Conservation Area. It’s a 79-hectare oasis which features a well-maintained 2.5 km woodchip loop trail that leads you around Mud Lake. If you follow the trail, you’ll discover dense woodland areas, boardwalk bridges, and wetlands. Mud Lake is a stopover for migratory birds. You can easily spot blue herons, turtles, ducks, wood warblers, and wild turkeys here. On warm days, it’s worth walking over to Britannia Beach for panoramic views of the Ottawa River.

Hog’s Back Park

If you head straight east down Baseline Road, you’ll find Hog’s Back Park. It’s an interesting area where the Rideau River splits from the Rideau Canal. It’s famous for the beautiful Prince of Wales Falls. 

The area features paved pathways that wind along the edge of the gorge, leading to multiple lookout points where you can watch the river. The park's walking trails connect to Mooney’s Bay Park and Vincent Massey Park, which gives you the flexibility to go for a short walk or extend your journey significantly.

Andrew Haydon Park

Andrew Haydon Park is located on the Ottawa River near Carling Avenue. It’s one of the most picturesque riverfront greenspaces in Ottawa's west end. It features a network of paved paths that run along Lac Deschênes, offering great views of the water.

The park features two large ponds which are connected by footbridges, stone windmills, manicured lawns, and seating. The park is located on the Ottawa River Pathway. It's really popular in the late afternoon as it offers pretty spectacular sunsets over the river.

Easy access to nature is one of the best benefits of living at Baseline Court. The area’s multi-use trail networks and NCC protected spaces are well worth exploring if you haven’t discovered them yet.