The Ultimate Guide to Crazy Horse Trail in Ottawa That Won’t Drive You Crazy
I was planning my agenda for the weekend when I realized I hadn’t gone out for a walk in a while due to the torrential rain.
When the sun finally peeked over the horizon again, I took the chance to go somewhere that’s laid back and can gently take me to places far away from my computer screen.
So I asked my friends over in Kanata to see what they could offer, and they immediately recommended the Crazy Horse Trail.
Now they know I have an oozing passion for the outdoors, but I thought the name of the trail didn’t sound very laid back. Plot twist: I was wrong.
There’s nothing “crazy” about it, and I didn’t even have to declare war on any insects with my bug spray. With peaceful ponds and cool boardwalks, I think it’s the calmest horse in the stable.
Where is Crazy Horse Trail?
Crazy Horse Trail is located in the Carp Hills in West Ottawa. The trailhead is near the parking area at the T-junction between March Road and Huntmar Drive.
How to Get to Crazy Horse Trail
By Car: Crazy Horse Trail is accessible via March Road or Huntmar Drive in Kanata. There is a parking area near the intersection of the two roads, which also takes you to the trailhead.
On Foot: The Crazy Horse trailhead is accessible on foot via the parking lot near the March Road and Huntmar Drive intersection, with coordinates 45.350678, -75.998289.
Things to Do at Crazy Horse Trail
Hike the 6.2 km trail loop
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Trails: Crazy Horse Main Trail, Crazy Horse Side Trail, Crazy Horse Side Loop.
The main highlight of the Crazy Horse Trail is tackling its main section’s 6.2 km distance, which starts near the parking lot along March Road.
The trail begins with a grassy area, which then leads you through the bushes and onto the main forest section.
It’s generally a route suitable for beginner hikers due to its mostly level terrain and easy elevations. The paths are also clearly marked throughout the trail, making navigation a breeze.
We were surprised to see a couple of boardwalks placed in muddy sections. Just be careful not to fall off, as they’re barely wide enough for two people.
There are several side trails, including a 1.5 km side loop with two lookouts, that branch out from the main 6.2 km trail. They offer nice views of marsh ponds, wetlands, and rocky areas.
You’ll eventually end up at a beaver pond where the trail loops you back to the start. We found another lookout here that’s slightly elevated over the pond and was quite breezy.
Go snowshoeing during the winter
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In the winter months, the entire Crazy Horse Trail becomes a suitable location for snowshoeing, an alternative form of exercise to the usual hiking.
You’ll be following the exact same trail as you would on a normal day, but it’ll take a bit more effort to traverse through the thick layer of snow.
This is why we recommend choosing snowshoes that are well-designed to keep you on top of the snow without sinking. You should also make sure that they’re both durable and comfortable to wear.
Even with the snow, the paths will still be visible enough to navigate, especially since they’re marked with signs at certain points.
It’s also possible to go through the forest to explore, just like we did. It wasn’t too difficult to find the way back to the main route, but that’s only because it was our second time, and we made sure to take note of the markers.
Observe the local flora and fauna
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The Crazy Horse Trail’s location in the Carp Hills makes it possible to spot some of the diverse species of flora and fauna in the area.
The surrounding forests along the trail are filled with towering pine and maple trees. Lots of sedges grow along the fens and wetlands, while winterberry shrubs can be found on the marshes.
When we explored the beaver pond section, there was another fen where many pink orchids were. The guide told us they were Rose Pogonias.
During our almost 2-hour hike, we found quite a few wildlife that are native to the area. Right at the pond were two Blanding’s turtles on a rock, and a beaver was gathering some twigs nearby.
There were also many different bird species throughout the forest, such as woodpeckers, chickadees, and some geese that stared at us as if to watch our every move.
Walk your furry friend
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Crazy Horse Trail is dog-friendly, so don’t hesitate to bring your furry friend along for a nice day out.
We’ve seen various breeds of dogs being taken out on a walk on the trail, so make sure to be in control of your pet at all times.
Keep your dog on a leash (since it’s required in the area) and bring your own plastic bag to clean up after them.
Have a nice picnic
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The serene views and quiet atmosphere on the Crazy Horse Trail make it a perfect place to take a rest and have a picnic to reward your efforts.
Despite not having dedicated picnic areas, the trail offers several spots where you can put down a blanket, mostly along the forest sections.
There’s also a bench on the beaver pond loop where you can sit down and grab a bite of your packed lunch. It overlooks the beautiful pond and is surrounded by some trees for natural shade.
Remember to bring your own trash bag so you can clean up once you’re finished. This way, we can all be part of the effort to ensure a litter-free trail.
Check out the various rock formations
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Crazy Horse Trail isn’t just home to many plants and animals, but also various rock formations due to its geological location.
Carp Hills, where the trail sits, is part of the Canadian Shield, which is a large area of exposed Precambrian rock that surrounds the Hudson Bay.
Some of these rocks form escarpments over the hills, which explains why the soil is so thin along the trail. They’re mostly made out of granitic rock in some areas, and sedimentary limestone in others.
As you pass through the trail, there are some rock barrens where barely any vegetation grows. Other high-elevation areas also have thin to non-existent soil, allowing you to see the exposed granite.
Where to Eat and Drink Near Crazy Horse Trail
Moxies Kanata Restaurant
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Address: 601 Earl Grey Dr, Kanata
Contact Number: +1 613-599-5000
Operating Hours:
- Sun – Tue: 11:00am – 11:00pm
- Wed – Thu: 11:00am – 12:00am
- Fri – Sat: 11:00am – 1:00am
Moxies Kanata offers a casual and relaxed dining experience with premium flavors for anyone to enjoy after a hike.
Their menu changes according to the season, allowing you to experience something different and exciting as the months roll by.
For instance, the Summer Feature menu has the Fancy Beet Salad on the cover, which contains a variety of veggies from red beets to baby greens.
The mains also offer a solid lineup, such as the Baby Back Ribs and the Lemon Basil Salmon. I personally tried their Blackened Mahi Mahi, and I love the spices and corn hash they put on it.
They have a separate bar where you can order alcoholic drinks, such as the Passion Fruit Mezcalita. Imagine a margarita, except it has a smoky profile and almost spicy note.
Crazy Horse Stonegrill Steakhouse & Saloon
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Address: 115 Roland Michener Dr, Kanata
Contact Number: +1 613-591-8884
Operating Hours:
- Tue: 4:00pm – 10:00pm
- Wed: 4:00pm – 2:00am
- Thu: 12:00pm – 11:00pm
- Fri – Sat: 12:00pm – 2:00am
- Sun – Mon: CLOSED
What better way to end your hike on the Crazy Horse Trail than to have an authentic taste of the wild west at the similarly named Crazy Horse Stonegrill?
While we haven’t been able to confirm if it was actually named after the trail, we did find out that their menu is packing a lot of mouthwatering options, like the Top Sirloin Steak and the Signature Smoked Wings.
They also make mighty fine burgers that they call “Handhelds”. I got the Crispy Cowboy, which was made with a juicy brisket patty, and it went so well with the bacon, banana peppers, and shallot.
I also like the fact that the burger can come with either regular cut fries, sweet potato fries, or salad.
Just keep in mind it can get pretty rowdy here, especially during the weekends (or if there’s a hockey game on TV), so plan your visit accordingly.
Masakali Indian Cuisine
– Media credit: masakaliottawa
Address: 5507 Hazeldean Rd Unit C3-1, Stittsville
Contact Number: +1 613-878-3939
Operating Hours:
- Mon – Thu: 11:30am – 9:00pm
- Fri – Sun: 11:30am – 10:00pm
Masakali is well-loved by locals for its authentic Indian cuisine, nice cultural vibes, and memorable dining experience.
This is the place to be if you like exploring an array of vibrant dishes with bold flavors, whether it’s the Butter Chicken Biryani or the Lamb Curry.
I initially had no idea what to order since everything looked so good, but I eventually got the Chicken Vindaloo. I may have slightly underestimated the spice, but the curry sauce was really tangy and had a hint of vinegar.
They also have a lot of great vegetarian options, like the Veg Tandoor and Vegetable Curries. I’ve heard people love the Paneer Lababdar, which is one of their house specials that’s both creamy and slightly sweet.
Where to Stay Near Crazy Horse Trail
Brookstreet Hotel
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Address: 525 Legget Dr, Kanata
Contact Number: +1 888-826-2220
Brookstreet Hotel is the premier choice of accommodation in the heart of Kanata, known for its luxurious offerings and award-winning facilities.
The 4-star hotel provides several premium-quality guest rooms, from the spacious King Room to the Deluxe Balcony Room, which offers great views of the Marshes Golf Course.
Speaking of the golf course, that’s only one of the many amenities it has. You can expect others, like a spa and fitness center, a dining area, saltwater pools, a live jazz bar, and more.
Microtel Inn & Suites by Wyndham Kanata Ottawa West
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Address: 340 Huntmar Dr, Kanata
Contact Number: +1 613-519-5409
Microtel by Wyndham is a global name in the hotel business, presenting many modern amenities for a comfortable and affordable stay.
Its location along Huntmar Drive puts you only 8 minutes away from Crazy Horse Trail, while also giving you access to nearby outlets, restaurants, and other establishments.
The non-smoking guest rooms are clean and well-maintained, with the beds being quite spacious, even for the Queen option. You get a mini fridge, coffee maker, microwave, HDTV, AC, and many other standard features.
A stay at Microtel also includes a delicious free breakfast and access to the pool and fitness center.
Holiday Inn & Suites Ottawa Kanata by IHG
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Address: 101 Kanata Ave, Kanata
Contact Number: +1 613-271-3057
Holiday Inn & Suites is part of the renowned IHG group. It doesn’t disappoint with its impressive and convenient vacation features.
You get a choice of standard rooms, premium rooms, and suites that are all nicely furnished for their price. Even the most basic room is already designed with a contemporary ambiance and many amenities.
The beds are soft and comfortable, and so are the sofas in the living room area. There’s also a handy work desk, which can come with a monitor setup if you opt for the premium room.
Aside from access to more amenities like the gym and pool area, we also love the fact that the hotel is pet-friendly. Up to two pets are allowed for each room.