Log Driver's Waltz
Ottawa Valley-outaouais
BikEpacking
“A ride through Ottawa and Gatineau Valleys in 3/4 time!”
Established 2020
Established 2020
The Log Driver's Waltz is an 800 kilometre, multi-day cycling route that traverses a large variety of terrain in the Ottawa Valley and Outaouais regions of Ontario and Quebec and passes through Ottawa, Canada's national capital, with its World Heritage Site the Rideau Canal. Come and immerse yourself in the endless network of lonely backcountry gravel and dirt roads, forested paths and charming towns. It's easy to see why Canada's national capital region has emerged as a bikepacking hotspot.
vision
A community centred around the Log Driver's Waltz Bikepacking Route that is welcoming to all and supported by many.
Mission
To inspire and enable extraordinary bikepacking on curated and well researched routes in the Ottawa and Gatineau Valleys and beyond, through fun and creative grassroots community action.
Priorities
Create and share
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Inspire and Educate
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Build Community
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Check this out! Mel Webb is an excellent podcast host and ultra-endurance cyclist. It was great to be interviewed by her!
The Log Driver's Waltz, its supporting routes and activities were created to encourage people to explore this region by bicycle. There are multiple opportunities for adventure you can explore as individuals, pairs or in small groups. Please dig in and find a route or an activity that will inspire you to get outside and ride.
See you out there!
Planning Your Ride
Note: The tools provided on this website are to provide assistance with your planning. None of these tools are intended to replace your own due diligence and planning. Riders should confirm details such as what services are still in existence, opening hours, or what new services are now available using online resources such as Google maps.
The website is full of information that will help you get started on your planning journey. If you have further questions consider joining the Log Driver's Waltz Facebook Group to discuss them with other riders.
Take advantage of all the resources, but remember ultimately you are responsible for planning your ride, your way.
See you out there!
Planning Your Ride
Note: The tools provided on this website are to provide assistance with your planning. None of these tools are intended to replace your own due diligence and planning. Riders should confirm details such as what services are still in existence, opening hours, or what new services are now available using online resources such as Google maps.
The website is full of information that will help you get started on your planning journey. If you have further questions consider joining the Log Driver's Waltz Facebook Group to discuss them with other riders.
Take advantage of all the resources, but remember ultimately you are responsible for planning your ride, your way.
Beautiful...
“I really appreciated riding on both sides of the river in Gatineau and Ottawa. As well in the city of Ottawa, so many places I didn’t know existed. What a beautiful city.”
Yves Poirier, 2022 Grand Depart, 3d 10h 49 min
... and challenging!
"I like climbing, and coming from British Columbia, I do a lot of it. But the climbs on the Log Driver's Waltz route just hit differently. They are steep, relentless and simply drained my energy in a way that I wasn't prepared for. I totally underestimated how difficult this route is and have a new appreciation for how challenging bikepacking can be."
Cory Ostertag, Squamish BC, 2d 1h 43min
2022 FKT and 2022 Grand Depart Overall Fastest Time
“I really appreciated riding on both sides of the river in Gatineau and Ottawa. As well in the city of Ottawa, so many places I didn’t know existed. What a beautiful city.”
Yves Poirier, 2022 Grand Depart, 3d 10h 49 min
... and challenging!
"I like climbing, and coming from British Columbia, I do a lot of it. But the climbs on the Log Driver's Waltz route just hit differently. They are steep, relentless and simply drained my energy in a way that I wasn't prepared for. I totally underestimated how difficult this route is and have a new appreciation for how challenging bikepacking can be."
Cory Ostertag, Squamish BC, 2d 1h 43min
2022 FKT and 2022 Grand Depart Overall Fastest Time
Access the Log Driver's Waltz Routes and Collections:
->Click on this link.<- Make a free RWGPS account. You will now be able to view and download all the LDW routes onto your phone for FREE offline navigation. A feature normally reserved for RWGPS Premium Accounts. Of course you can also send the files to the head unit of your choice.
Use the route below for planning purposes. Grand Depart riders will receive an updated file about 2 weeks in advance.
->Click on this link.<- Make a free RWGPS account. You will now be able to view and download all the LDW routes onto your phone for FREE offline navigation. A feature normally reserved for RWGPS Premium Accounts. Of course you can also send the files to the head unit of your choice.
Use the route below for planning purposes. Grand Depart riders will receive an updated file about 2 weeks in advance.
Stay tuned for 2025 Route Revisions. There is always something new and dynamic!
There is ongoing construction in the Lac Philippe campground of Gatineau Park. Follow detour signs.
Detours on the Pinecrest Creek pathway for transitway construction in Ottawa continues. Follow detour signs as needed.
Please join the Facebook Group: Log Driver's Waltz Bikepacking: Tips, planning, training, gear and advice facebook.com/groups/631261405014463 to share route updates with other riders.
<-We have created Route Elevation Profiles with elevation, distance, services, important landmarks and communities to assist riders with gauging the relative difficulty of various sections of the route.
The elevation gain and loss plays a significant role in determining how much effort and time the route or a section of the route will take. Print them out or download onto your phone for quick reference during the ride.
If you are interested in creating your own profiles for a route of your own or just are curious how we did this please see these instructions for creating your own profiles
The elevation gain and loss plays a significant role in determining how much effort and time the route or a section of the route will take. Print them out or download onto your phone for quick reference during the ride.
If you are interested in creating your own profiles for a route of your own or just are curious how we did this please see these instructions for creating your own profiles
Will 2025 be the year?
The <<LDW Rewind<<
Map <-Click here!
Riders seeking an extra challenge can attempt the "LDW Rewind" which is 1600 km long and has an elevation gain of ~19 000 metres. Riders will ride the route clockwise and on their arrival at Almonte they will turn around and ride it counter clockwise "Rewinding" the route as they go.
To our knowledge this has not yet been done.
<<Rewind<< riders should follow the "rules" on self support as laid out for the Grand Depart.
The <<LDW Rewind<<
Map <-Click here!
Riders seeking an extra challenge can attempt the "LDW Rewind" which is 1600 km long and has an elevation gain of ~19 000 metres. Riders will ride the route clockwise and on their arrival at Almonte they will turn around and ride it counter clockwise "Rewinding" the route as they go.
To our knowledge this has not yet been done.
<<Rewind<< riders should follow the "rules" on self support as laid out for the Grand Depart.
Disclaimer and Assumption of Risk
This website and the associated Facebook page/Instagram account are only used as a meeting place and area for collaboration and information sharing. These routes incorporate multi-use trails, off-road trails and on-road riding. All cyclists are responsible for their own safety, must use both trails and streets with caution and do so at their own risk. Always wear the proper safety gear when cycling, ride sensibly and abide by all laws. Each route should be evaluated by each individual cyclist based on their level of experience, comfort level in cycling on trails and roads, weather conditions, time of day, and any road obstacles.
The Log Driver’s Waltz (LDW) website and any and all others involved in the development of these routes do not assume any liability whatsoever for cyclists using this information and travelling upon these routes.
By using this site you agree not to assert liability or bring any causes of action against anyone associated with the promotion of the LDW by way of legal action for negligence or otherwise for any incident(s) experienced while following LDW route(s). You agree that you engage in this activity voluntarily and alone assume all the risk.
Leave No Trace
The Log Driver's Waltz encourages riders to follow "Leave No Trace" principles. Remember you are a visitor and your actions will reflect on others.
This website and the associated Facebook page/Instagram account are only used as a meeting place and area for collaboration and information sharing. These routes incorporate multi-use trails, off-road trails and on-road riding. All cyclists are responsible for their own safety, must use both trails and streets with caution and do so at their own risk. Always wear the proper safety gear when cycling, ride sensibly and abide by all laws. Each route should be evaluated by each individual cyclist based on their level of experience, comfort level in cycling on trails and roads, weather conditions, time of day, and any road obstacles.
The Log Driver’s Waltz (LDW) website and any and all others involved in the development of these routes do not assume any liability whatsoever for cyclists using this information and travelling upon these routes.
By using this site you agree not to assert liability or bring any causes of action against anyone associated with the promotion of the LDW by way of legal action for negligence or otherwise for any incident(s) experienced while following LDW route(s). You agree that you engage in this activity voluntarily and alone assume all the risk.
Leave No Trace
The Log Driver's Waltz encourages riders to follow "Leave No Trace" principles. Remember you are a visitor and your actions will reflect on others.
Social Media Feeds:
For updates and related bikepacking content, please consider following us on Facebook & Instagram: @thelogdriverswaltz
Please join our Facebook Group Log Driver's Waltz Bikepacking: Tips, planning, training, gear and advice
For updates and related bikepacking content, please consider following us on Facebook & Instagram: @thelogdriverswaltz
Please join our Facebook Group Log Driver's Waltz Bikepacking: Tips, planning, training, gear and advice
Assertion of Copyright:
The routes, descriptions, logos and images on this site are the intellectual property of the Log Driver's Waltz. Users may download and use these routes for their own personal use. Copying and storing of the routes, notes, logos. etc on websites, club accounts, for public sharing or/and for profit or gain is strictly prohibited without express written permission of the Log Driver's Waltz. Please use the Contact page.
The routes, descriptions, logos and images on this site are the intellectual property of the Log Driver's Waltz. Users may download and use these routes for their own personal use. Copying and storing of the routes, notes, logos. etc on websites, club accounts, for public sharing or/and for profit or gain is strictly prohibited without express written permission of the Log Driver's Waltz. Please use the Contact page.
Donations and Support:
If you enjoyed the Log Driver's Waltz or our other routes, please consider helping us cover the costs of developing and maintaining the route files and website. Thanks!
If you enjoyed the Log Driver's Waltz or our other routes, please consider helping us cover the costs of developing and maintaining the route files and website. Thanks!
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Please tell your friends all about your experience on the Log Driver's Waltz and encourage them to try it! Thanks!