5 Ottawa-area trails where you can socially distance in nature

Social distancing doesn't mean you can't get outside for some fresh air, health officials keep reminding us. Nature can also be a calming force when anxiety is running high.

Here are five local hiking trails that will help you breathe and keep your distance at the same time.

Poet's Pathway

Running from Britannia Beach to the Beechwood Cemetery, much of this walking and biking trail consists of existing pathways. The complete trail stretches across 35 kilometresand is divided into 12 shorter walks, such as the Rideau River sectionand the McCarthy Woods Loop. The trail also features plaques with Canadian poetry along the way.

Details on the walks and maps can be found here.

Stony Swamp Trail

Located on National Capital Commission land near the junctions of highways 417 and 416 in Ottawa's west end, the 40 kilometres of trails at Stony Swamp area great place to get back to nature without leaving the city. The area is classified as a provincial significant wetland, where you'll find700 species of plants andover 250 species of birds. There are also beaver ponds and a sugar maple forest.

There's free parking all year round, and more information and maps available here.

Eagle's Nest Lookout

This hike at Calabogie Peaks is only moderately challenging, with a gradual climb up an old logging road. It can take two and a half to threehours, but hikers are rewarded with a fantastic view fromthe top.

More information and details are online, including this Eagle's Nest hiking guide.

Pinhey Forest Trails

Located in the woods behing the Nepean Sportsplex, Pinhey Forest'sTrail 30 is an easily accessible hiking route through a conifer forest. It runs 3.5 kilometresand is open year-round. The trail is maintained by the City of Ottawa, and parking is available behind the recreation complex on WoodroffeAvenue.

Details and maps are available here.

Gatineau Park

The obvious choice for many nature enthusiasts, Gatineau Park has a host of trail optionsfrom short strolls to difficult climbs, hiking to skiing and winter biking.

Many end at stunning lookouts, so there's a payoff at the end of your workout.

Though the NCC has closed the park's visitorcentre, the sprawling park's path network and parking lots remain open, at least for now.

Conditions on some trails may deteriorate in Friday's warmer weather and rain, but the NCCsaid they should improve this weekend.

More hiking trails are scheduled to open next month.

Trails and maps are online here.