Categories: Things To Do

This wooden footbridge in Ontario is located within a 7,700 year old bog

Photo via Angela Holmyard on Shutterstock

Ontario has an abundance of outdoor experiences from sandy, warm beaches to hiking trails galore. And clearly, we can’t get enough! That being said, located in the southeastern sector of Canada’s Capital Greenbelt is the Mer Bleue Conservation Area. Here you’ll find an over 7,000-year-old bog, a habitat for many species of rare plants, and wildlife, natural hiking trails, and boardwalks. Here’s what to know.

Located east of Ottawa is the Mer Bleue Conservation Area. According to the National Capital Commission, the Mer Bleue Bog is “one of the most outstanding natural features of the Greenbelt, and is one of its most visited areas.”

This is where you’ll find interpretive boardwalks, sand ridges, natural hiking trails, and forests.

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The most popular walk in the area is the Mer Bleue Bog Trail due to its storytelling route. This is a 1.2 km long boardwalk that is the most photographed part of the Greenbelt, according to the NCC. The boardwalk here is accessible which is great for families as well.

“For a great hike that’s less crowded, try trails 50 and 51. The wooden footbridge in the southern section of Trail 50 is an excellent spot for observing turtles, as well as several species of frog, including the bullfrog,” per the NCC.

Not only is the Mer Bleu Bog a beloved area among many, but it also plays an important role in stabilizing the climate.

“It is the largest bog and natural area in Canada’s Capital Region and the second-largest bog in southern Ontario. As such, it is one of the most studied bogs in the world,” shares the NCC. “A permanent research station at the centre of the bog measures the amount of carbon dioxide and methane released by the wetland.”