Blooming Magnolia Ride!

Local nature enthusiast James Wilson has written ‘One of the biggest and most floriferous Magnolias in Ottawa is this Merrill Magnolia (Magnolia x loebneri ‘Merrill’) is on the horticulture grounds at Algonquin College. It is 30 feet tall and 30 feet wide. It is in full bloom today.’. Oooh, gotta check that out!

Then I thought of another wonderful bunch of Magnolias in the Arboretum. So, for lovers of these wonderful smelling flowers, here’s a 10km bike route starting from the amazing display in the Arboretum to the Merrill Magnolia at Algonquin College. The ride is almost entirely along multi-use pathways.

The Arboretum magnolias are just off the gravel path at the northern end of the Arboretum near Prince of Wales Drive.

After checking out the beautiful display in the Arboretum, follow the gravel road that heads up the hill alongside Prince of Wales Drive. The gravel along this dirt road is usually packed, but can be a bit unpredictable throughout the year. Alternatively one could cross Prince of Wales at the signalised pedestrian lights and ride along the paved shoulder/unprotected bike lane along Prince of Wales, as noted by the purple line on the map.

From the traffic circle at the top of the hill head west along the National Capital Commission (NCC) Scenic Driveway. Unfortunately the Experimental Farm Pathway only starts a few hundred meters along the NCC Scenic Driveway, just in front of the big red barn, and there is no shoulder or bike lane along the section between the traffic circle and the barn. However the sidewalks are paved.

After riding a short distance along the pathway beyond the barn turn onto quiet Morningside Lane and then west again along equally pleasant Cow Lane that cuts through fields on either side.

Then it’s back onto the pathway, on the other side of Ash Lane.

One confounding little spot for those travelling along the Experimental Farm Pathway for the first time is the continuation of the pathway across Fisher Avenue. This is because the path on the west side of Fisher is not alligned with the path on the east side. Instead it starts a short distance north, and is very poorly indicated or noticeable from the east side.

Beyond this little navigational mess the Experimental Farm Pathway continues merrilly through a myriad of wonderful landscapes.

Just before arriving at Woodroffe Avenue you will happen upon the Baseline/Woodroffe Stormwater Management Pond. At this point take a left off the Experimental Pathway to Navaho Drive. Follow Navaho Drive across Baseline and continue straight when it becomes Wabisheshi Private. Continue along Wabisheshi through the Algonquin College campus until it ends at College Ave. Turn right on College Ave and take College Ave to the Algonquin College horticulture grounds. The entrance to the grounds is on the left and the glorious Merrill Magnolia is just on the right as you enter the grounds.

One can also follow this same route throughout the summer to visit the Horticultural grounds which are quite beautiful.

Et voila!