Trail Races Near Ottawa – Complete Guide to Ottawa & Gatineau Trail Running
The Ottawa–Gatineau region has a surprisingly strong trail running community, with races ranging from beginner-friendly 3K events to ultramarathons and Backyard Ultras. This guide highlights the major trail races within about 90 minutes of Ottawa, including events in Gatineau Park, Camp Fortune, and the surrounding forests of western Quebec.
Many of the races listed below are organized by local running groups, including the Mad Trapper Racing Series, which hosts several trail races and ultramarathon events throughout the year.
Major Trail Races in the Ottawa & Gatineau Region
Featured Race
Relentless Trail Race (Mad Trapper Racing Series)
Location: The Off Grid Ark, Denholm, Quebec
Date: October 3, 2026
Distances: 3K, 5K, 10K, 21K, 30K, 50K
Notable: UTMB Index trail race
Relentless is the flagship fall race of the Mad Trapper Racing series and one of the most challenging trail races near Ottawa. The course winds through rugged forest trails in western Quebec, combining technical terrain, elevation, and scenic wilderness running just outside the city.
Distances range from beginner-friendly trail races to demanding ultramarathon distances, making the event accessible to both new trail runners and experienced endurance athletes. Relentless has grown into a favorite among local runners looking for a serious trail challenge close to Ottawa.
Race website: Mad Trapper Relentless | 3K–50K UTMB Index Trail Race – Ottawa region
Mad Trapper Backyard Ultra
Location: The Off Grid Ark, Denholm, Quebec
Date: Summer Solstice weekend
Format: Backyard Ultra (1 lap per hour until only 1 runner remains, full, shorter and team categories)
Notable: Longest-running Backyard Ultra in the Ottawa region
The Mad Trapper Backyard Ultra is a unique endurance event held each summer on the trails surrounding The Off Grid Ark. Runners complete ~6km loop every hour on the hour until only one runner remains on the full course. For those who want to try a BYU but find the full course too daunting, they offer a shorter "Kristi Loop" and the world's only Team Event.
The race has become one of the region’s most distinctive endurance events and attracts ultrarunners from across Ontario and Quebec. With its forest setting, welcoming atmosphere, and relentless format, the Mad Trapper Backyard Ultra offers a memorable test of endurance and strategy.
Race website: Mad Trapper Backyard Ultra
Camp Fortune Classic (Mad Trapper Racing Series)
Location: Camp Fortune, Chelsea, Quebec
Date: Early July
Distance: 3k, 5k, 10k
The Camp Fortune Classic is part of the Mad Trapper Racing series and takes place on some of the best trail running terrain in the Ottawa–Gatineau region. The race uses the mountain bike terrain and technical trails of Camp Fortune to create a challenging and scenic mountain-style trail race.
The event attracts both experienced trail runners and newcomers looking to experience the iconic Gatineau Park trail network.
Race website: Mad Trapper Camp Fortune Classic | Ottawa Trail Race – Chelsea, QC
Basset Ear 8K Prediction Run (Mad Trapper Racing Series)
Location: The Off Grid Ark in Denholm, QC
Date: Spring
Distances: 8k
Notable: Prediction Run - no watches allowed
The Basset Ear 8K is the traditional spring opener for the Mad Trapper Racing series. The course follows a simple 4 km out-and-back route on quiet gravel roads surrounding The Off Grid Ark in western Quebec.
This event is run as a prediction run, where runners try to finish closest to their predicted time without using watches or GPS devices. The format shifts the focus away from pure speed and toward pacing, strategy, and a relaxed early-season race atmosphere.
The highlight of the day comes after the finish line, where runners celebrate with fresh “Basset Ear” pastries—a Mad Trapper twist on the classic BeaverTail-style treat that has become a favorite tradition of the event.
Race website: https://madtrapperracing.com/basset-ear-prediction-run
The Mica Run (Mad Trapper Racing Series)
Location: The Off Grid Ark in Denholm, QC
Date: Late summer, early fall
Distances: 3k, 5k, 10k
Notable: Dog-friendly trail race
The Mad Trapper Mica Run is a fun fall trail race held on the forest trails surrounding The Off Grid Ark in western Quebec. The event is a Run for the Rescues, raising funds to support rescue dogs that have found a home at the Ark.
One of the most unique aspects of the race is that it is dog-friendly. Runners are welcome to participate with their dogs, whether running on leash or off leash alongside their owners. Dogs are not required to participate, so runners without dogs are equally welcome to join the event.
The course uses the private Ark trail network, offering scenic forest running with distances of 3K, 5K, and 10K. The event combines trail running, community spirit, and support for rescue animals, making it one of the most distinctive races in the Mad Trapper series.
Race website: madtrapperracing.com/mica-run-for-the-rescues
Grit & Grind Trail Race – Dunrobin Edition
Location: Sheila McKee Park, Dunrobin, Ontario
Date: Late July
Distances: 5K Trail, 2K Kids Run
This trail race takes place in Dunrobin just west of Ottawa and offers a short but fun trail course suitable for runners of various experience levels.
Race website: Grit & Grind Trail Race presented by Arc’teryx: Dunrobin Edition - Run Ottawa
Grit & Grind Trail Race – Camp Fortune Edition
Location: Camp Fortune, Chelsea, Quebec
Date: Late August
Distances: 5K, 10K, 20K, 2K Kids
Notable: UTMB Index race (20K distance)
This edition of the Grit & Grind Trail Race takes place at Camp Fortune and features challenging elevation and technical terrain typical of Gatineau Park trail running.
Race website: Grit & Grind Trail Race presented by Arc’teryx: Dunrobin Edition - Run Ottawa
Big Wolf’s Backyard Ultra
Location: Outaouais Region, Quebec
Format: Backyard Ultra (6.7 km loop every hour)
Big Wolf’s Backyard Ultra is part of the global Backyard Ultra format, where runners complete a 6.7 km trail loop every hour until only one runner remains.
Race website: https://www.bigwolfsbackyardultra.ca/en/outaouais/
BougeBouge Gatineau Trail Run
Location: Collège Saint-Alexandre, Gatineau, Quebec
Date: Early June
Distances: 35K, 10K, 5K, 2.5K, 1K
The BougeBouge Gatineau Trail Run offers a variety of trail distances and attracts runners from across the region for an early summer trail event.
Race website: 2026 BougeBouge Gatineau - Trail Run - BougeBouge
Frost Country Trail Race
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Date: October (TBD)
Distances: Cross-country style trail race
Frost Country is a fall trail running event organized by Run Ottawa that features cross-country style trail racing on natural terrain.
Race website: Frost Country - Run Ottawa
Les Courses des Collines (Trail des Collines)
Location: Centre Vorlage, Wakefield, Quebec
Date: Early May
Distances: 80K, 53K, 31K, 21K, 16K, 11K
This major trail running event is part of the Coupe Québec Trail series and features technical courses with significant elevation gains on the slopes and trails surrounding Vorlage in Wakefield.
Race website: TRAIL DES COLLINES | Ta saison de trail commence ici — TRAIL DES COLLINES
BougeBouge Wakefield Covered Bridge Run
Location: Centre Vorlage, Wakefield, Quebec
Date: October
Distances: 21K Trail, 10K Trail
This Thanksgiving weekend race includes trail distances that climb the Vorlage ski slopes before connecting to trails in Gatineau Park and the Trans Canada Trail.
Race website: BougeBouge Wakefield Course du Pont couvert - BougeBouge
La Classique Tremblant
Location: Mont-Tremblant, Quebec
Date: October
Distances: 30K, 20K, 10K, 5K
Race website: La Classique Tremblant | Trail Running Event at Tremblant
Spartan Trail Race – Ottawa Region
Location: Calabogie, Ontario
Date: August
Distances: Trail 10K, Trail Half Marathon
Race website: Calabogie Peaks Trail Run - Ottawa - Spartan Trail
Prescott-Russell Recreational Trail Challenge
Location: Clarence-Rockland, Ontario
Date: September
Distances: 50K, 50-mile Ultra, Relay
Race website: Prescott-Russell Trail Challenge | 25K, 50K, 50M Ultra Relay | Sept 27, 2025
5 Peaks Ontario Trail Running Series
Location: Various locations across Ontario
Dates: Multiple events throughout the summer
Race website: 5 Peaks Ontario, Trail Running Ontario — 5 Peaks Adventures
Mad Trapper Snowshoe Racing Series (Mad Trapper Racing Series)
Location: The Off Grid Ark Trails, Denholm, Quebec
Date: January–March
Distances: 3k, 5k, 10, and the World's Only Snowshoe Backyard Ultra
Notable: Longest running snowshoe series in Canada
The Mad Trapper Snowshoe Racing Series brings winter endurance racing to the forests of western Quebec just outside Ottawa.
Held on the private trail network surrounding The Off Grid Ark, the series features scenic winter courses that combine packed snow trails, forest terrain, and a welcoming grassroots race atmosphere.
Events typically take place throughout the winter months and are open to both experienced snowshoe racers and runners looking to try something new during the off-season. With well-marked courses, community spirit, and legendary post-race food, the Mad Trapper Snowshoe Series has become a favorite winter tradition for local endurance athletes.
Race website: madtrapperracing.com/snowshoe-series
Trail Running in the Ottawa Region
The Ottawa–Gatineau area offers some of the best trail running terrain in eastern Canada, with extensive trail networks in Gatineau Park, Camp Fortune, Wakefield, Calabogie, and western Quebec. Many races in the region combine technical trails, steep elevation changes, and scenic forest landscapes, making the area a popular destination for trail runners and ultramarathon athletes.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are the best trail races near Ottawa?
The Ottawa–Gatineau region has a growing trail running community with events ranging from beginner-friendly races to ultramarathons. Popular races include the Relentless Trail Race, Mad Trapper Backyard Ultra, Les Courses des Collines, BougeBouge trail events, and the Grit & Grind trail races held in the region.
Are there beginner-friendly trail races near Ottawa?
Yes. Trail runners looking for longer distances can find ultramarathon events in the Ottawa region. The Relentless Trail Race and other Mad Trapper races include 3k events which are perfect for kids and those looking to test the trails for the first time. And for beginners to the "ultra" word the Mad Trapper Backyard Ultra offers a unique endurance format where runners complete repeated trail loops until only one participant remains.
Are there ultramarathons near Ottawa?
Yes. The Ottawa–Gatineau region hosts several trail races with ultramarathon distances. The Relentless Trail Race includes distances up to 50K and is listed on the UTMB Index, which connects the event to the international trail running ranking system used by many major trail races worldwide.
Another major ultra event in the region is Les Courses des Collines (Trail des Collines) held in Wakefield, Quebec. Part of the Coupe Québec Trail series, the event features technical mountain-style trail courses with distances reaching 80K and 53K.
The region also hosts the Mad Trapper Backyard Ultra, a unique endurance race where runners complete a 6.7 km trail loop every hour until only one runner remains.
When is trail running season in the Ottawa region?
Trail running events in the Ottawa–Gatineau region take place throughout the year. Most trail races are held from spring through fall, with major events in summer and autumn. Winter events also take place, including the Mad Trapper Snowshoe Racing Series.
