Trails

Spending time in the outdoors is good for your physical and mental health!

Trails at Fanshawe Conservation Area

www.fanshaweconservationarea.ca

Fanshawe Conservation Area offers 23 kilometres of hiking trails and 20 km of biking trails. Remember trail etiquette – take only pictures and leave only footprints!

  • No motorized vehicles or snowmobiles allowed.
  • Cross country skiing is permitted but the trails are not groomed and there are no ski rentals.

Fanshawe Hiking Trails (hiking only)

  • Tamarack (1.3 km)
  • Meadows (2.1 km)

Fanshawe Lake Trail (20 km, hiking/biking)

The Lake Trail circles all the way around Fanshawe Reservoir, going through mature forests, open meadows and along three stretches of roadway. For biking, travel direction alternates depending on the date – on even numbered days traffic travels clockwise; on odd numbered days traffic travels counterclockwise (e.g. June 6 is clockwise; June 7 is counterclockwise). The roadway sections total approximately 1.5 km.

The Thames Valley Trail (TVT) overlaps with the Fanshawe Lake Trail on west side of the reservoir, then veers off from the roadway to follow the shoreline near the Pioneer Village and Campgound (see map). The TVT extends north to St. Marys and south through London to Delaware.

It is highly recommended that anyone hiking or biking this trail have a copy of the Lake Trail guide with them. Remember, bikers: helmets are mandatory, regardless of age or experience.

Please park in the day use area or in the lot just before the yellow gates near the Fanshawe Dam to access the Lake Trail. Please stay on the marked UTRCA trail.

Low Water Crossings

There are three low water crossings on the Fanshawe Lake Trail: one near the Rowing Centre Tower, one over Wye Creek, and one just south of the Thorndale bridge on the west side of the Thames River. During periods of high water flow, these sections of the trail may be impassable, in which case you will be asked to double back.

Provisional data on the Wye Creek crossing is available online. Trail conditions are also posted at the trailhead in the Day Use Area (#1 on the map).

Trails at Wildwood Conservation Area

www.wildwoodconservationarea.ca

Wildwood Conservation Area has three biking/hiking trails that range in length from 1.2 km to 24 km. All trails are multi-purpose and can be used by both hikers and cyclists, by permit only.

  • No motorized vehicles or snowmobiles allowed.
  • Cross country skiing is permitted but the trails are not groomed and there are no ski rentals.

Dr. R.S. Murray Forest Trails (1-3 km) – The Green and Red Trails vary from 1 to 3 km in length and are fairly flat, allowing for a leisurely hike while remaining close to the campground. These trails explore a variety of ecosystems and natural features within the Dr. R.S. Murray Forest, which is home to many species of birds and mammals.

Wildwood Lake Trail (24 km) – The Lake Trail begins at the campground gatehouse and follows the reservoir shore. This trail visits an array of habitat for wildlife, making it a perfect walk for viewing nature. Follow the blazes that mark this trail as it meanders from reclaimed forests to plantations, through agricultural fields to a naturalized gravel pit. You can even get a close-up view of the working components of the Wildwood Dam, which is the structure responsible for the reservoir. There are opportunities for photographs at the look-out point or perhaps a picnic lunch at one of the ponds found along the way. The level of difficulty for this trail is considered easy to moderate, but its length makes it a challenge!

Trails at Pittock Conservation Area

www.pittockconservationarea.ca

Pittock CA has two trails to hike or bike. The Husky Trail (5 km) is a wide, flat, loop trail that can be accessed at campground Section 4. A day use entry fee applies. The South Shore Trail is a longer trail with some looping side trails. The portion of the trail within Roth Park is paved. There is no fee to access this trail.

  • No motorized vehicles or snowmobiles allowed.
  • Cross country skiing is permitted but the trails are not groomed and there are no ski rentals.

Other Trails on UTRCA Lands:

Other Trails to explore in the Upper Thames River watershed: