Cycling.
Three Township-promoted cycling loops radiate from Blockhouse Park in the centre of Merrickville. The Merrickville to Burritts Rapids loop runs 17.6 km return along the Rideau Canal corridor, passing three locks and reaching the Henry Street Public Beach for a swim stop, and the Merrickville to Eastons Corners loop runs 29.6 km on quiet backroads west of the village.
The brief.
The Burritts Rapids loop is the canal-corridor ride — flat, paved or compacted shoulder, three locks along the route. The Eastons Corners loop is a longer rural-road ride west through Wolford farmland.
A short heritage-village loop through the Victorian downtown completes the Township's published trio. The Rideau Heritage Route designates the canal-side corridor through Merrickville as a scenic drive, which makes it equally suitable for e-bike touring with multiple lockstation rest stops.
Best season is May through October. The cycling loops share rural roads with light vehicle traffic; the Scotch Line corridor (used for some MDTS routing) is a shared-use multi-vehicle trail with snowmobiles and ATVs.
4. places.
- 01
Merrickville to Burritts Rapids loop
17.6 km return along the Rideau Canal corridor, passing three locks; swimming access at Henry Street Public Beach.
- 02
Merrickville to Eastons Corners loop
29.6 km loop on quiet backroads west of the village.
- 03
Heritage village cycling loop
Short loop starting at Blockhouse Park exploring village heritage homes.
- 04
Rideau Canal corridor / Rideau Heritage Route
Signed scenic drive through Merrickville along the canal-side route.
Today's read.
Cold but firm — winter-ready conditions · light winds · clean air.
By the book.
- 01Township cycling loops use a mix of paved village streets, rural roads, and the canal-side corridor; cyclists share rural roads with vehicle traffic.Source ↗
- 02The Scotch Line is a multi-use shared corridor with snowmobiles, ATVs, equestrians, and pedestrians — ride defensively when using it as a connector.Source ↗