Prescott & Russell: Recreational Trail

Enjoy the quiet rural countryside pedalling along the delightful Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail. Choose a distance that best suits your ride style, shorter or longer, for a spin on this well-maintained unpaved rail trail. The trail in full is 72km, stretching from the outskirts of Ottawa, to the Quebec border and inland from the Ottawa River that separates the two provinces in south eastern Ontario. The flat multi-use trail is readily accessible with parking at eight locations as well as six sheltered pavilions with washrooms.

This suggested 54km ride out and back will take you along a segment highlighting the scenery and to a number of welcoming communities. Stop along the way in Vankleek Hill, Alfred and Plantagenet. Vankleek Hill, known as the Gingerbread Capital of Ontario for its Victorian inspired architecture and houses, is also home to popular Beau’s Brewery, with a large patio. The pretty riverside setting of Plantagenet makes the village ideal for a rest stop, coffee, gelato or more overlooking the South Nation River (a tributary of nearby Ottawa River), at Café sur la rive, a regular stop for local cyclists. Ride as far as Bourget or break off the trail to loop back on quiet roads through the surrounding countryside on one of the many mapped cycling routes in the area. Ebike rentals are also available from one of three locations in trailside villages.