Chelsea Community Winter Trail

Community winter trail

The Chelsea community winter trail began as a pilot project in 2004 to allow local residents to ski, snowshoe, run, walk and engage in non-motorized activities along the railway corridor.  It has now grown into a popular trail offering some of the best views of the beautiful Gatineau River. The 18.1 km of groomed is an important community  link joining the neighbourhoods of Chelsea Village, Tenaga, Gleneagle, Kirks Ferry, Larrimac, Burnett, Cascades and Farmpoint.

Since 2005 the operation of the Winter Trail has continued with municipal support and with a significant volunteer contribution, first between its founder, Chelsea Nordiq and local businesses, and since 2009 with the involvement of SCT and other community partners and businesses.  It has also benefited from support by the regional Conseil local de développement (CLD).

In 2010, SCT launched the Winter Trail Fund to attract funds to support the trail’s growth. SCT has continued to work with the Municipality of Chelsea to maintain the winter trail and increase community involvement by developing sponsorships and collecting donations to offset the cost of maintenance. The Municipality has supported continuation of the winter trail by contracting to have the trail groomed on a regular basis. SCT has assisted  by clearing brush and posting signage. During favourable snow conditions, the trail , is tracked to provide a surface for cross-country skiing (classic and skate), snowshoeing, walking, running and sledding.

In 2015 the Gatineau Valley Historical Society (GVHS)  posted a series of  interpretive panels along the route and in 2016 they added new signs to continue the “walking through history” experience to the trail.

. The Chelsea Winter Community Trail is easily accessible and flat, allowing for residents of all ages and abilities to get out and engage in a variety of fun, safe and healthy winter activities.

How you can help:

. The Municipality contributes to the maintenance and tracking cost but we need contributions from people who love the trail if we want to keep it open, year after year. To help secure the future of the winter trail project along the Chelsea railway right-of-way please contribute to the Chelsea Winter Community Trail Fund. All contributions will go directly to the cost of trail maintenance and operation.