The Lime Kiln Trail- A 4 Km Hike in Ottawa • Tapped Out Travellers

In my latest Instagram hunt for fun things to do with the kids during social distancing, I came across some amazing photographers that mentioned “the ruins” in Ottawa. So of course I had to find out more. This incredibly easy trail is perfect for young families wanting to get out of the house and get a little exercise in the great outdoors.

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Know before you go

The Flood lime kiln is one of the few remaining examples of a 19th century industrial lime kiln in Canada. Lime was an important building and household chemical used to make mortar, fertilizer, whitewash, plaster and many other products. Francis Flood built this kiln in the late 1800s on a miniature escarpment of exposed limestone bedrock known as the Hazeldean Escarpment.

Most lime producers went out of business in the early 1900s as new and larger industrial kilns were constructed and Portland cement was introduced from Europe. The Flood kiln ceased operation around 1906, and the site was abandoned and fell into disrepair. The ruins of the kiln were rediscovered and its significance realized in the early 1970s. The site was restored in 1999.

Getting There

Parking for the Lime Kiln Trail is just off of Moodie Drive. P10 is a smaller parking lot, with space for about thirty cars. There is no outhouse at the trailhead, but there is a garbage can.

The Route

The Flood Lime Kiln Ruins occupy a place on the Lime Kiln Trail about 640 meters from the parking area next to Moodie Drive. The trail the entire way there is wide, well groomed, and very easy to follow. If you’re new to hiking, or have little ones with you, a walk out to the ruins and back would make for a great 1.4k out and back hike.

Our Adventure

Since Moodie rd is so far from our house and there are 3 trails in the general area, I didn’t want to burn the children’s energy too early into our adventure.

We reached the ruins and quickly turned around to drive to the next trail’s parking lot. A bit of a cop out on my part but I quickly lost the girl-child to crying and the need for more snacks so I’m sorry-not-sorry that we didn’t do the whole trail.

I do intend on coming back with just the older child. He is much more outdoorsy and loves taking pictures with me.

Connections to Beaver Trail

Not far passed the ruins, you will have the option of turning right or going straight on NCC25. Straight is a long way around but both will eventually connect you to NCC28, which is the mainline of Beaver Trail. You will also have the option of staying on NCC25, turning into Rideau Trail towards Stony Swamp NCC24. These trials make up the bulk of the Ottawa Green Belt Trails.

The whole trail comes to 6.3 km or roughly 1.5 hours walk.

And a special thanks to Aventure Report for the statistics and trail ideas

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