Ten The Rideau Trail Association is a non-profit organization and a founding member of Hike Ontario. Its purpose is to preserve and maintain a hiking trail from Kingston to Ottawa. Its registered trademark is a red-orange isosceles triangle; these triangles are used to mark the main trail linking Kingston and Ottawa (to distinguish the two directions, Kingston-bound trail markers carry yellow tips).

In addition to the main trail, there are a number of side trails which are marked by blue triangles. The total length of cleared and marked trails is 387 km.

The trail itself crosses terrain ranging from placid farmland to the rugged Canadian Shield. It is only intended for walking (hiking), snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing.

No part of the Rideau Trail itself is owned by the Rideau Trail Association; the continuity of the trail is made possible by the generous permission of both private and public landowners and is enhanced by the existence of a special fund called the Rideau Trail Preservation Fund.