Voie Verte Chelsea is a 22 km trail along the Gatineau River. This former railroad line has been converted into a trail that allows residents to travel through the municipality using an active mode of transportation, and provides a great opportunity to enjoy nature in Chelsea.
Winter Trail Conditions
Update: March 28, 2023.
Classic tracks were made on both sides on the entire trail.
Snow density: 31 cm after grooming
Precipitation since last passage: 5 cm of snow and 12 mm of rain
With the spring temperatures varying above and below zero, the surface will go from soft to icy shortly after sunset. It is important to remain cautious when engaging in any activity on the trail.
Conditions by sector:
- Morrison's Quarry to Cascades: good
- Cascades to Burnett: good
- Burnett to Kirks Ferry: good
- Kirk's Ferry to Church: good
- Church to Wright: good
- Chemin Loretta Loop: good
Code of conduct
The Voie Verte Chelsea is a shared, multi-purpose trail. Please respect other users, the environment, and the privacy of adjoining landowners.
- Speak quietly in residential areas and respect trail quiet hours from 9 p.m. to 7 a.m.
- Share the trail and keep to the right so that others can pass.
- Cyclists, please yield to other trail users, ride at low speed and respectfully alert others when passing.
- Keep dogs on a leash and clean up after them.
- Bring all your waste home. Leave no trace.
- Avoid damaging the classic ski tracks in winter.
- Do not smoke, light a campfire, or drink alcohol on the trail.
Out of respect for others, we invite users to respect the 20km/h speed limit.
General information
Chelsea residents can park:
- at the Farm Point community park parking lot located at 331 de la Chemin de la Rivière
- at the Chelsea CLSC located at 490 Route 105
The Municipality is currently working to make other parking spaces available.
From May to October, the Voie Verte Chelsea trail is patrolled by volunteers through a pilot project with the non-profit organization Vélo-Services. You'll probably see them on your ride. They are easily identifiable by their yellow bibs.
Their general responsibilities are to :
- Provide first aid
- Answer questions from trail users
- Identify problems or incidents
All patrollers are trained in CPR, first aid and basic bicycle mechanics.
The Municipality and the Council would like to thank Les amis de la Voie Verte Chelsea for the $78,500 donation that will be used for the next phase of development of the community trail! The cheque was presented to Mayor Caryl Green and Director General and Secretary-Treasurer John-David McFaul on December 11, 2020 at an intimate outdoor ceremony. Donations were raised through the fundraising efforts of volunteers, sponsors, trail pioneers and supporters of the organization.
A huge thank you to everyone involved!
About Les amis de la Voie Verte Chelsea
Les amis de la Voie Verte Chelsea is a non-profit organization that raises funds to contribute to the development of Chelsea's community trail to reduce the financial burden on the Municipality. The organization, composed of volunteers, promotes community involvement, ecological safety of the trail and active transportation on the territory. For more details on the organization, visit their website.
Mr. Yvan Xavier Regout, a talented artist in metal sculpture, collected relics from the old railway to create, on his own initiative, sculptures of native animals. These magnificent works are placed along the trail to entertain users. You can view them near the Chemin Gleneagle.
These sculptures reflect one of the fundamental visions of the Voie Verte Chelsea trail, which is to respect and enhance the cultural and historical heritage of the old railway corridor.
On behalf of the population of Chelsea, Council wishes to thank and congratulate Mr. Yvan Xavier Regout for his talent, vision, dedication and generosity as well as Voie Verte Chelsea (the organization) for his donation and assistance in the installation of the works.
The cultural value of the trail now shines through with Mr. Regout's magnificent sculptures.
For any problems regarding:
- trail maintenance, please contact the Public Works Department at 819-827-1160
- security, please contact the MRC des Collines-de-l'Outaouais at 819-459-9911
The development of the Voie Verte is a partnership between the Municipality and the community.
Thanks to our main partner
This page was last updated on February 3, 2023
Information
Public Works and Infrastructure Department