Explore Carp Barrens Trail

We will meet at the trail head of Carp Barrens Trail and enjoy the trail before the leaves all fly away.

Welcome to the Carp Barrens Trail, a 3 km loop operated by the Friends of the Carp Hills under an agreement with the City of Ottawa and in partnership with the Ottawa Mountain Bike Association, who maintain the trail.

The Carp Barrens Trail lies on one of the most ecologically significant areas in the region. Outcrops of exposed one billion year old Canadian Shield bedrock are folded into glacial-scraped ridges and troughs of provincially significant wetlands and ponds. This generally acidic and extreme environment supports plants uncommon or rare in the Ottawa area. Because of its unique character, the Ministry of Natural Resources designated the Carp Barrens as a candidate Provincially Significant Area of Natural and Scientific Interest (Life Science) in 1992.

The Carp Barrens Trail is for pedestrian and mountain bike use only. Dogs are not permitted.

Let's go for lunch/ coffee after and socialize.