Mer Bleue Bog

About Mer Bleue Bog

Mer Bleue is a 3,500-hectare conservation area in Ottawa's eastern Greenbelt — the largest bog and natural area in the National Capital Region. What makes it remarkable is that it's a boreal-type bog ecosystem, normally found hundreds of kilometres farther north, thriving just 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa.

The bog sits on the floor of an ancient river channel carved into Champlain Sea sediments roughly 9,000 years ago. The impermeable clay foundation traps water and creates conditions for a raised peat dome — up to 6 metres thick in places — that supports a community of northern plants in a southern Ontario setting.

Mer Bleue was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 1995, and is also a Provincially Significant Wetland.

The Boardwalk Trail

The main attraction is the Mer Bleue Bog Trail — a 1.2 km interpretive loop that begins on a stone dust path and transitions to a wooden boardwalk extending into the heart of the bog.

• Difficulty: Easy — gentle and flat, suitable for families
• Access: From Parking Lot P22 at the end of Ridge Road
• Features: Interpretation panels explaining the bog's formation, benches, and views across the open bog landscape

The boardwalk is accessible for strollers and most mobility devices, though it has limited railings and some narrow passages. A universally accessible viewing platform with bog views is available at the P22 parking area.

What You'll See

Plants

• Sphagnum mosses — the dominant ground cover
• Black spruce and tamarack — boreal tree species
• Carnivorous plants — sundews and pitcher plants, adapted to the nutrient-poor conditions
• At least 9 species of orchids
• Labrador tea, cranberry, leatherleaf, bog-laurel — heaths typical of northern bogs
• Cottongrass — distinctive white tufts visible across the open bog

Wildlife

• Spotted turtle — a rare species in Canada, found in the bog's interior
• Birds including hermit thrush, swamp sparrow, and common yellowthroat
• Beavers, frogs, and other amphibians in the transition zones

Other Trails

Beyond the boardwalk, over 22 km of trails wind through the broader conservation area:

• Trail 50 and 51 — Longer forest trails with a wooden footbridge for wildlife observation
• Trail 53 — Year-round winter access from P21; cross-country skiing and snowshoeing
• Dewberry Trail — A 1 km trail from P23

Leashed dogs are permitted on Trails 50, 51, and 53 from April 15 to November 30 only.

Best Seasons

• Spring (May–June): Orchids blooming, migratory birds returning
• Summer: Full foliage, carnivorous plants active
• Fall: Cranberry season, autumn colours, cottongrass
• Winter: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing on designated trails

Getting There

• By Car: About 20 minutes from downtown Ottawa. Main boardwalk access is from Parking Lot P22 at the end of Ridge Road. All parking is free
• By Transit: Not easily accessible by public transit — driving is recommended