In the middle of Ottawa’s urban sprawl lies an ecosystem that belongs 1,000 kilometres north. Mer Bleue Bog is a 3,500-hectare conservation area featuring a boreal peatland more typical of the subarctic than southern Ontario. Walking its boardwalk trail feels like teleporting to another world.
This hidden natural treasure offers Ottawa residents a chance to experience a rare landscape without leaving the city.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Mer Bleue Bog is a 12,000-year-old peatland in Ottawa’s east end, featuring plants and ecosystems typically found much further north. A 1.2 km boardwalk loop traverses the bog. Free entry, year-round access. Excellent for nature photography and peaceful escapes.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Age | ~12,000 years |
| 📍 Location | East Ottawa (Anderson Road) |
| 🎟️ Entry | Free |
| ⏰ Access | Year-round |
What Makes Mer Bleue Special
A Northern Ecosystem in Ottawa
Why this bog is remarkable:
Climate Quirk:
- Peat accumulation creates cool microclimate
- Conditions mimic regions much further north
- Plants grow that shouldn’t exist this far south
- Unique ecological time capsule
Sphagnum Peat:
- Bog built on deep peat deposits
- Acidic, nutrient-poor environment
- Certain plants thrive here
- Carbon storage significance
12,000 Years of History
How it formed:
Post-Ice Age:
- Champlain Sea covered region
- As sea retreated, lake formed
- Lake gradually filled with organic material
- Bog developed over millennia
Continuing Growth:
- Still accumulating peat today
- Growing approximately 1mm/year
- Living, evolving ecosystem
- Climate research importance
Illustrative image only.
The Boardwalk Trail
Trail Details
The main visitor experience:
Distance: 1.2 km loop
Surface: Elevated boardwalk
Difficulty: Easy (accessible)
Time: 30-60 minutes
What You’ll See
Vegetation:
- Sphagnum moss carpets
- Stunted black spruce
- Tamarack (larch) trees
- Leatherleaf shrubs
- Labrador tea plants
Wildlife:
- Various bird species
- Insects (butterflies, dragonflies)
- Occasional deer
- Frogs in warmer months
Landscape:
- Open bog expanse
- Forested edges
- Unusual “island” formations
- Distinct visual character
Seasonal Changes
Different seasons, different experience:
Spring:
- Bog awakening
- Bird migration
- Early flowers
Summer:
- Full vegetation
- Active wildlife
- Carnivorous plants flowering
Fall:
- Tamarack golden colour
- Migration activity
- Crisp air
Winter:
- Snowshoe accessible
- Quiet beauty
- Different perspective
Special Plants
Carnivorous Species
The bog’s unique residents:
Sundews:
- Tiny carnivorous plants
- Sticky leaves trap insects
- Supplement nutrient-poor environment
- Look closely to spot them
Pitcher Plants:
- Provincial flower of Newfoundland and Labrador
- Tube-shaped leaves trap insects
- Striking appearance
- Found along boardwalk
Boreal Species
Plants typically found further north:
Black Spruce:
- Stunted by bog conditions
- Classic boreal species
- Hardy in harsh environment
Tamarack:
- Deciduous conifer
- Golden fall colour
- Bog specialist
Labrador Tea:
- Aromatic shrub
- Traditional Indigenous uses
- White flower clusters
Illustrative image only.
Planning Your Visit
Getting There
Location: Ridge Road, off Anderson Road, East Ottawa
From Downtown:
- ~20 minutes by car
- Highway 417 east to Anderson Road
- Follow signs to Mer Bleue
Public Transit:
- Limited service to area
- Car recommended
Parking:
- Free parking lot at trailhead
- Can fill on nice weekends
Best Times to Visit
Weather:
- Clear days ideal
- After rain can be magical
- Avoid extreme heat (little shade)
Timing:
- Early morning for wildlife/photography
- Weekdays less busy
- Golden hour stunning
Seasons:
- Each has appeal
- Fall colours notable
- Spring awakening special
What to Bring
Essentials:
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Water
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Bug spray (summer)
Optional:
- Field guide for plants
- Sketchbook
- Snowshoes (winter)
Other Trails at Mer Bleue
Beyond the Boardwalk
The area offers more:
Ridge Trail:
- 3.3 km loop
- Forest and edge habitats
- More strenuous than boardwalk
- Mountain biking allowed
Dolman Ridge Trail:
- Connects to larger network
- Longer excursions possible
- Varied terrain
Trail Network
Part of NCC Greenbelt:
- Connects to other trails
- Multi-use paths
- Year-round use
- Maps available online
Scientific Importance
Research Site
Mer Bleue serves science:
Climate Research:
- Carbon sequestration studies
- Greenhouse gas monitoring
- Long-term ecosystem research
- Climate change indicators
Ecological Studies:
- Biodiversity monitoring
- Species distribution
- Bog ecosystem dynamics
- Conservation science
Conservation Efforts
Protected for the future:
- Part of NCC Greenbelt
- Designated conservation area
- Protected from development
- Managed for ecological value
Photography Tips
Capturing the Bog
Tips for great photos:
Timing:
- Golden hour light
- Misty mornings atmospheric
- Avoid harsh midday sun
Subjects:
- Wide landscape views
- Macro plant details
- Reflections in water
- Unique textures
Technique:
- Tripod for low light
- Wide angle for scope
- Macro lens for plants
- Patience for wildlife
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the boardwalk wheelchair accessible? A: The boardwalk itself is generally accessible, though some sections may be uneven. The parking lot to boardwalk connection is accessible. Check NCC for current conditions.
Q: Can I bring my dog? A: Dogs are not permitted on the boardwalk trail to protect the sensitive bog ecosystem. They’re allowed on some other trails in the area.
Q: Is it really like being up north? A: The plant community is remarkably similar to subarctic regions. You’ll see species you wouldn’t expect in Ottawa, and the landscape has a distinctly northern character.
Q: How does the bog stay cold? A: The deep peat layer insulates the ground, and evaporation from the wet surface cools the air. The bog creates its own microclimate several degrees cooler than surrounding areas.
Q: Can I walk on the bog itself? A: Stay on the boardwalk. Walking on the bog damages the fragile ecosystem and is dangerous—the surface appears solid but you could sink through.
Final Thoughts
Mer Bleue Bog is one of Ottawa’s true natural wonders—a landscape that shouldn’t exist this far south, preserved by quirks of geology and protected for all to experience. Walking the boardwalk over sphagnum moss, past stunted spruce and carnivorous plants, feels like stepping into another world.
This is nature at its most fascinating: an ecosystem that created its own climate, a living time capsule 12,000 years in the making. The research conducted here helps scientists understand climate change. The beauty rewards every visitor.
In a city full of museums and monuments, Mer Bleue reminds us that some of the most remarkable things are natural—and that Ottawa’s location offers access to ecosystems found nowhere else in southern Ontario.
Take the boardwalk. Stand amid the bog. Feel how different the air is. You’re experiencing something extraordinary.
Source: NCC Greenbelt, Carleton University Research - Compiled for Via Ottawa readers.
For more Ottawa discoveries, visit Where to Go or explore Things to Do!
