If you are an enthusiast of Ice Skating, you cannot miss the Rideau Canal - The Largest Skateway in the world - in Ottawa, Canada. The cleared length is 7.8 kilometres (4.8 mi) and has the equivalent surface area of 90 Olympic ice hockey rinks.
In summer, Rideau Canal is an eminent river and the icy ground is formed naturally with the bitter cold. Hence, the surface of this skateway is not as mirror-liked as other ordinary skating rink.
There are snowy floor, scratched facade and puddles on the ground. It could be difficult for beginner skating there. Don’t be scared of the hardship. There are numerous ways to get through this UNESCO World Heritage Site. I have even seen people pushing a baby stroller for the balance.
Personally, I did wake the whole 8 kilometres from the end of Dow’s Lake to the entry of the canal which located in the downtown, Ottawa. It is worthy to note that the rental of skating boot or other skating equipment is only available at the entry of the Rideau Canal which is near the Ottawa Convention Centre.
There are also snacks selling every 2 kilometres, such as hotdog, BeaverTails( the Canadian’s favor) and Maple Ice Candy ($3). Beware that the shops accept CASH only.
By the time, I did not carry cash with me, I got my BeaverTails in the end of my walk at the entry, although it was a good walk.
On my way to the Rideau Canal, I was lost and met a group of youngers playing the freestyle skiing on a big snow pile. They pointed me the direction and teach me that I can walk on the trail mark on the sizable snowy ground. As the snow on the path is composed so it is firm to walk on, while the other part of the snowy ground is fluffy, which could sink you to the waist level.
End.