Garden Promenade Bike Tour

Explore Ottawa & Gatineau’s lush gardens with 4-5 stops through various gardens to surround yourself with glorious nature, flowers, and plants. 

Pick up your bike, helmet, lock, and detailed Ottawa bike paths map for your self-guided ride on the safe, flat Ottawa bike paths.

This is an easy ride at your own pace, suitable for families and riders of all levels.

You will bike on one of our comfortable, top-quality bikes, or you can opt for an electric bike and set off on your journey to discover beautiful Ottawa.

Learn more about Ottawa’s 2022 Garden Festival here!

Starting at the Escape Tours and Rentals Shop (65 Sparks Street), complete your bike and helmet fitting and safety review. Pick up your lock and your Ottawa bike paths map (available in both digital and paper), and start your ride.

Your self-guided tour should last about 3-4 hours to visit 4-5 gardens, which is ample time to soak in the magnificent beauty of flowers, plants, and trees.

Take the scenic Ottawa River and Voyageur Pathways to visit the following gardens:

• The Rooftop Garden, located at the Canadian Museum of War, is a fascinating, self-sustaining ecosystem.
• The calming Japanese Zen Garden at the Canadian Museum of History.
• The Rideau Hall Gardens, an array of vast gardens on Rideau Hall’s grounds, and home to Canada’s Governor-General.

On your way back to the starting point, you will visit more unique flower gardens at Major’s Hill Park.

End your tour with a ride back to the Escape Tours & Rentals shop.

Feel free to ask our staff questions about your tour or enjoy a cup of coffee/tea or a light meal at our bike cafe.

Nature and garden lovers visit some of the most beautiful gardens in Canada on this Garden Promenade Tour.

• Ottawa River pathways
• Voyageur pathways
• Rooftop Garden- Canadian Museum of War
• Japanese Zen Garden- Canadian Museum of History
• Rideau Hall Gardens.
• Unique flower gardens at National Art Gallery and Major’s Hill park 

For your bike and helmet fitting and safety review, please arrive 20 minutes prior to your tour start time!

Your tour starts and ends at Escape Bicycle Tours and Rentals at 65 Sparks St.

Parking: We highly recommend leaving your car at your hotel. Street parking in our neighbourhood is difficult and the meters/time restrictions can be confusing. But if you must drive, here are a few underground parking lots: National Art Centre Parkade (99 Elgin St.), World Exchange Plaza (Metcalfe and Albert entrance), City Hall (110 Laurier Ave W). 

Flexible Booking – Book with confidence! For public tours, you will be fully refunded if you give us 24 hours’ notice before your tour starts.

No refunds for any cancellations within 24 hours prior to the activity start date and time. 

Bad weather? Don’t worry, If your reservation must be cancelled due to the bad weather, you will be fully refunded.

What is your cancellation policy?
You will be fully refunded if you give us 24 hours’ notice. There will be no refunds for any cancellations within 24 hours prior to the activity start date and time. Please inquire about the private tour cancellation policy.

Are there any hills?
Ottawa is a flat city, so most of the ride will be on flat bike paths. There might be a few inclines that can be easily managed when riding our multi-geared quality bikes.

What if it rains?
Your ride will continue in light rain. We supply you with rain ponchos. 

In case of heavy rain or storm forecast, your trip will be cancelled — the final call will be made two hours before the start time of your tour, and we’ll contact you by phone and email. 

If your tour is cancelled due to the weather, you will be fully refunded or can choose to keep your credit for an alternative date or time.

Is biking in Ottawa safe?  
Ottawa is an extremely bike-friendly city. Almost all of your ride will be on Ottawa’s well-maintained cycle paths. In a few exceptions, we will be riding on backroads in neighbourhoods or crossing streets with traffic lights. As well, we start all our tours with a safety briefing and proper fitting for your bike and safety helmet.

Can I bring my own bicycle?
Yes. Please ensure that your bicycle is in good working condition and you have spare parts (e.g., proper tube size) in case. You will receive a $10 discount for bringing your own bicycle.

Have more questions? Visit our detailed FAQs page or contact us!