7 Ottawa Bike Tours to Build a Day Around

1.2-Hour Ottawa Express City Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 296 reviews · 2 hours (approx.) · from $59Our pick

Spend two hours cycling from Sparks Street through Ottawa’s key sights, including the Rideau Canal, ByWard Market, Rideau Hall, Rideau Falls, the National Gallery, and the Ottawa Locks. Your guide handles the route and local stories while you ride with a supplied bike, helmet, and water. Guides may include Sparky, Mike, Allison, David, Hans, or Denis.

“This was my most favorite activity during my Ottawa trip. The bike ride down the canal and past a handful of the city's sights was most informative and went at a pace that truly allowed the bikers to take in the scenery. The guide was fabulous and I can't wait to return to Ottawa and do the same exact bike ride again, that's how fabulous it was! Highly, highly recommend it!”

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2.Self-Guided Biking in Ottawa-Gatineau

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 107 reviews · 2 to 4 hours (approx.) · from $30

Pick up a bike, helmet, lock, and route map at Escape Bicycle Tours on pedestrian-only Sparks Street. You’ll get route guidance from staff, then ride independently to the Rideau Canal and Ottawa River pathways. Allow 2 to 4 hours, with time to stop for photos, shopping, and Ottawa sights.

“Bike were very Nice love this i got to explore places that i love easy to ride the bike Staff were professionnel”

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3.Ottawa Highlights 3.5 Hour Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 98 reviews · 3 hours 30 minutes (approx.) · from $87

Ride with Escape Bicycle Tours through Ottawa’s canal paths, the Glebe, Lansdowne Park, the Arboretum, Little Italy, and across to Quebec for city views. Your guide supplies a bike, helmet, water bottle, and snack. Guides such as Alison, David, Nora, and Sparky have led this English-language tour, limited to 10 people.

“We had a 3.5 hour cycle tour round Ottawa. Our guide David was excellent in looking after us and providing great knowledge of the city and its history. Thoroughly recommend”

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4.Ottawa: 2 or 3.5-Hour Guided Bike Tour with a Local Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 84 reviews · from $55

Ride through Ottawa and Gatineau with local guides such as Mike, Karen, Sparky, Nora, Allison, Hans, and others. Choose an easy 2-hour, 8.5-mile route or a 3.5-hour, 14 to 15-mile tour covering canals, parks, museums, waterfalls, and two provinces. Standard bikes are included, with electric bikes available for riders 16 and older.

“Allison was a great guide. The e-bike was in wonderful condition. We saw so much of Ottawa and were extremely impressed with the extensive bike and pedestrian trails we rode during our tour. There was only 4 of us plus the guide so the experience was very intimate and friendly.”

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5.Ottawa: 4 or 8-Hour Bike Rental with Self-Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 51 reviews · from $28Best value

Pick up a city bike or e-bike near Parliament Hill, then follow a RidewithGPS map through Ottawa and Gatineau. Staff can suggest routes based on your interests. You get a helmet and lock, with four-hour and full-day options. Maria and Sam have offered especially helpful route advice, but this is not a guided tour.

“Das passt einfach gut zu Ottawa mit den vielen Flüssen und Radwegen. 1a, um die Region zu erkunden.”

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6.Ottawa 200th Anniversary Guided Bike Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 20 reviews · 2 hours · from $50

Ride Ottawa’s car-free pathways with Senior Guide Robert, whose family roots reach into the 1830s. In two easy hours, you’ll see the Rideau Canal, Dow’s Lake, Dominion Arboretum, Chaudière Falls, the Ottawa River, and Kìwekì Point. New comfort bikes, helmets, water, e-bikes, tandems, and French or English guiding are available.

“My guide, Rob, provided lots of interesting information about our capital city, Ottawa. I had a lovely morning exploring the city on well maintained, level bike trails. I would definitely recommend this activity for anyone visiting Ottawa who has basic biking skills. Thanks Rob!”

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7.Ottawa: 4-Hour Bike Rental

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 11 reviews · 1 day · from $29

Rent a Giant bicycle for four hours from RentABike beside Ottawa’s Rideau Canal, then follow car-free paths toward Kìwekì Point, Chaudière Falls, the Museum of History, Dow’s Lake, and the Dominion Arboretum. You choose the pace and route, with maps, locks, helmets, staff help, and optional e-bikes available for an extra $20.

“We had a blast in Ottawa biking and using e-bikes from this place! Enjoyed four hours of beautiful trails along the Rideau Canal, stopped for various activities and now we are looking forward to do it again. The service was fantastic, Konrad and the team answered all the questions we had, prepared the bikes and adjusted them for each individual needs. They were awesome! Highly recommend to book in advance and try biking in Ottawa. I think just skating on Rideau Canal can compete with the experience as a traveller through the city. Thank you for a great trip!”

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