How to Properly Spend a Day at Bilberry Creek Ravine in Ottawa Without Any Misadventures
As someone who likes to both exercise and be one with nature, the initial idea of hiking sounded like something I could easily pick up.
The only mistake I made was when I voluntarily joined a couple of friends who had way more experience than me to Luskville in Gatineau. Mind you, this was my FIRST hike.
After severely underestimating the essentially vertical terrain and overestimating the power of my own two legs, I vowed to only stick to more “chill” trails that even an elderly woman can do for now.
That’s when I got recommended by local hikers to Bilberry Creek Ravine, a more beginner-friendly and Pinterest-like series of trails in the middle of the Orleans suburbs.
From easy climbs to picturesque views of the creek, it has everything you want for a nice hike without being out of breath 90% of the time. Now, go out there and smell the fresh air.+
Where is Bilberry Creek Ravine?
Bilberry Creek Ravine is located in the suburb of Orleans, a community in the east of Ottawa.
How to Get to Bilberry Creek Ravine
- By Car: Bilberry Creek Ravine is accessible via multiple roads within the Orleans suburb, such as Wayside Court, where street parking is available.
- By Bus: Get on the #38 bus at Blair Station in Ottawa, and ride it to Jeanne D’Arc/Bilberry Station in Orleans.
- On Foot: Many access points within the suburbs of Orleans lead to the trails at Bilberry Creek Ravine, such as the trailhead near Wayside Court (45.462964, -75.503786).
Things to Do at Bilberry Creek Ravine
Hike the official trails
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Official trails: Bilberry Creek Main Access, Wayside, Upper Canada East/West, A Bridge Too Far, Pine Trail, Dragon’s Alley, Blueberry Lane, Phoenix Trail, Sasquatch Trail, Shepherd Way, Heylake Access, Backway Out, Marcoux Path, Galloping Goose, Coyote Trail, North/South Pathfinder, Johnny Walker, Marcel Trail, Bridgewater, In the Ditch, Iron Lungs, Big Beaver, Griffon Alley, Canmore, Shady Slope, Breakaway Alley, Dam Buster, Lucky Strike Valley, Rosie Run, Rosie Land, Karma Lane, Bearded Elf, Bunny Run, Mad Hatter, Bronze Ridge, Silver Ridge, Angry Giant, Squeaky Squirrel, Burningtree Access, Cursed Way, Ring Road, Crushed Dreams, Hoylake Entrance, Stairway to Heaven, Mighty Thor, Lacroix Entrance North/South, Larkhaven Access, Bilberry Creek South.
Bilberry Creek Ravine has been a popular hiking spot for locals in the area, and the city has since added and maintained pathways that serve as the official trails.
While most of the trails can be seen on Google Maps, we’ve found that looking at a more detailed map layout, such as this, will better guide you through the system.
One popular entry point we tried is at the T-junction between Wayside Court and Des Epinettes Ave, which took us to one of the main trails just beside the creek.
We noticed that the official trails have a width of about two people side by side or more, making them conducive for hiking groups to tackle.
In some areas, you’ll be stepping on laid-down gravel, while others offer relatively smooth dirt that’s easy even for beginners to hike on. They also added some ropes and metal fences on certain sloped sections to serve as guides and protection.
However, you still need to watch out for things like tree roots and muddy areas while navigating the network of trails.
Challenge yourself on the unofficial trails
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If you’re up for a challenge, then you can consider tackling the unofficial trails that are near the ravine itself.
Unofficial trails refer to any trail that’s not planned or maintained by the city. They only exist due to being repeatedly hiked on by local hikers.
Compared to their official counterparts, the unofficial trails are much narrower and commonly run through the forest, making them more technical.
They’re also not marked on Google Maps and have no form of guidance or signage installed, so we highly recommend taking close note of the way back so as not to get lost.
Some of the paths we ran into went across the creek itself via small foot bridges, which gave us opportunities to explore both sides of the ravine.
Just keep in mind that it gets quite muddy in some sections due to runoff from nearby springs. There was even a landslide near Turnberry Road in 2017, which was caused by heavy rains softening the clay soil in the area.
Tackle the trails on a mountain bike
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The numerous trails in Bilberry Creek Ravine aren’t just traversable on foot. Many people also choose to explore them on their mountain bikes, which makes for a fun outdoor activity.
The entire system offers many different routes for mountain biking, with the most popular trail spanning a total of 3.7 km. However, you can easily go over that by running laps around it.
Some trails are a singletrack type, meaning they’re only wide enough for one bike at a time. Other parts, on the other hand, feature two-way trails.
The trails are suitable for cross-country bikes under most conditions. However, come wintertime, it’s recommended to switch to a fat bike with oversized low-pressure tires that can grip the snow better.
I personally took my Trek mountain bike to the trails the second time we came back. Even for a hardtail bike, the trails weren’t too bumpy, making them great for new off-roaders.
Go across the many bridges
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The Bilberry Creek Ravine features many man-made bridges that serve to connect different trails and make it possible to cross the creek itself.
Most of the bridges you’ll come across are part of the official trails that are maintained by the community. However, there are also smaller platform-like bridges found in the narrower unofficial trails.
Such bridges make for great photo opportunities and offer nice views of the creek in between the forests.
We came across one of the wooden bridges named “A Bridge Too Far”, which connects the Wayside Trail route to Pine Trail on the other side of the creek.
Do some bird watching
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Bilberry Creek Ravine is a known hotspot among the local bird-watching community, with the natural habitat welcoming a variety of species.
While you can spot birds in just about any area of the creek, some people like to start around the section near Ravine Park and then go toward Bilberry Creek from there.
Woodpeckers are among the most common birds in the creek, which leave their trace in the form of holes in some trees throughout the forest.
More recently, we spotted a couple of cardinals and sparrows perched on top of some tree branches.
If you’re lucky, you may even chance upon an owl, which other bird watchers have been able to spot on occasion.
Take photos of flora and fauna
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Bilberry Creek Ravine isn’t just home to birds, but also a rich ecosystem of both flora and fauna you can take snapshots of.
If you’re visiting during springtime, you’ll be able to see a wide array of wildflowers, such as yellow trout lilies, bluets, and trilliums, blooming in the undergrowth of the trees.
The forest also has a lot of white pines that border the trails, some of which even form super canopies that reach over 40 meters high.
As for fauna, the area is known for indigenous animals like red foxes, rabbits, squirrels, mink, and muskrats.
When we went near the creek, there was even a beaver in the middle of making a dam, which we’ve heard is a common sighting for locals throughout the years.
Bring your furry friend along
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Good news to dog owners! Bilberry Creek Ravine allows you to bring your furry friend for a walk along the trails any time of the year.
Some areas of the trail permit you to take your dog off the leash, while sections near children’s play areas require your dog to be kept on it.
Whether you’re using one or not, it’s important to be in control of your dog at all times, since you’ll likely encounter many other dog owners on the trail.
Also, remember that there are certain parts with muddy patches, so you may be in for a doggie bath afterwards.
Where to Eat and Drink Near Bilberry Creek Ravine
Greek on Wheels
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Address: 4025 Innes Rd
Contact Number: +1 613-824-5900
Operating Hours:
- Mon-Sat: 11:00am – 9:00pm
- Sun: 12:00pm – 9:00pm
Just right by Innes Road and Jeanne D’Arc Boulevard is Greek on Wheels, a merriment of authentic Greek flavors at just the right price.
They have a lot of appetizers to start your meal, from the classic Spanakopita spinach pie to tasty Feta Cheese and Olives.
Among the many kinds of platters that they have on the menu, we went for the Souvlaki Platter, which comes with Greek salad, roasted potatoes, rice pilaf, and Tzatziki dip.
The chicken was marinated well and tender to the bite, so I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it to anyone passing by here after hiking on Bilberry Creek.
Corner Bar and Grill
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Address: 1779 Tenth Line Rd, Orléans
Contact Number: +1 613-424-7305
Operating Hours:
- Mon-Thu: 12:00pm – 12:00am
- Fri: 11:30am – 12:00am
- Sat: 12:00pm – 12:00am
- Sun: 12:00pm – 10:00pm
If you’re looking to down a pint while munching on some grub, then Corner Bar and Grill on Tenth Line Road is where to do it.
They have a big selection of beers on tap, which are all placed in a rotating tap system that can serve a large group of people. Some of the choices include Goosehead Pilsner and Pintail IPA.
There are also a lot of craft beers that come in cans and bottles. I personally went for the Blueberry Blonde, because I like light and fruity beers.
As for the food, one of their bestsellers is their Peanut Butter Chili Chicken Wings. They were really crispy and offered a unique blend of nuttiness and spiciness in one.
We also ended up ordering their Fish & Chips, which are made from wild Canadian haddock. The fillet had a mild flavor and flaky texture, while the house beer batter added crispness and lightness to the dish.
Hidden Taste
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Address: 2807 St Joseph Blvd, Orléans
Contact Number: +1 613-841-3888
Operating Hours:
- Tue-Wed: 11:00am – 2:00pm, 4:00pm – 8:00pm
- Thu: 11:00am – 2:00pm, 4:00pm – 8:30pm
- Fri-Sat: 11:00am – 2:00pm, 4:00pm – 9:00pm
- Sun: 11:00am – 2:00pm, 4:00pm – 8:00pm
- Mon: CLOSED
To the north of the Bilberry Creek Ravine trails is Hidden Taste, a popular local restaurant that allows you to experience the taste of India right in Orleans’ backyard.
From Vegetarian Samosas and Tandoori specialties to steaming Biryani and Pakoras, the variety of Indian cuisine here is sure to leave your mouth watering.
The crowd favorite is their Butter Chicken, so we got one of those. The chicken is grilled perfectly with special spices, while the tomato-based sauce has a rich and tangy flavor.
Their Prawn Vindaloo also really hits the spot. It’s one of their spicier curry dishes because of the combination of crushed red chilis, cinnamon, and cumin.
Where to Stay Near Bilberry Creek Ravine
Holiday Inn Express & Suites Ottawa East – Orleans
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Address: 500 Brisebois Cres
Contact Number: +1 613-824-8444
Holiday Inn Express & Suites is a 2-star hotel in the heart of Orleans that offers modern and elegant rooms and tons of great amenities.
Located in Brisebois Crescent along Centrum Boulevard, this accommodation puts you just 5 minutes away by car from the Ravine Park entrance to Bilberry Creek.
The beds are quite plush in the standard rooms, and there’s even a dedicated workspace to set up a laptop.
Some amenities that you can expect here are a fitness center, a pool area, EV charging stations, and even free breakfast.
A nice bonus to this hotel is that it’s pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your beloved pets while enjoying your stay here.