If only more Canadians actually listened to their capital city, the nation would be better off—at least when it comes to summer strolling. "The sheer number of pedestrian-only zones should shame other big cities," says Matthew Blackett, a Walkable Cities 2009 judge.

"The city opens more than 50 km of roads to people—and closes them to cars—in the summer where locals and visitors walk, run, skate and bike," says Walkable Cities judge Guillermo Penalosa.

A local favourite is the opening of an entire street next to the Rideau Canal to cyclists and pedestrians on summer Sundays.

With nearly 1,600 km of sidewalk (generous at a minimum of 1.83 m wide) and 300-plus km of pathways brushing by the city's historic and cultural bounty. Ottawa was built for walkers.

The Ottawa Pedestrian Plan, intended to facilitate more people to walk more often, should be ready by fall.

The city would have finished higher if it wasn't for the epic winter snow cover and minus-20 highs in winter.

Insider Matthew Blackett's Ottawa Walking Tour

Matthew Blackett is the publisher, creative director and co-founder of Spacing magazine.

Distance: 6 km

Time: 30 - 90 minutes

This story was originally published in the August 2009 issue of up! magazine as part of the Canada's Most Walkable Cities 2009 feature, profiling 10 of Canada’s most pedestrian-friendly urban centres. Take a look at more of Canada's Most Walkable Cities in 2009.