Trails In London – Your Guide to London’s Best Hiking for Health
Do you need a little “Vitamin N?” As much as I personally love the gym, some of the best fitness can be discovered and achieved in nature. For Londoners, getting outdoors and connecting with nature is easier than you would think. If your interests include hiking, running, mountain biking, or you just enjoy going for a stroll, you may be surprised to find that you can accomplish many of these activities local to London. With so many options, you might even be able to step into nature from your own neighbourhood! Here’s my list of the best hiking & fitness trails of London, Ontario, to see for yourself why we’re coined “The Forest City”.
Fanshawe Lake Trail
Northeast London – 20 km Loop – 2/5 Difficulty – Year-Round
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Biking (paths & roads—night riding prohibited)
Experience spectacular views, a variety of terrain, and the opportunity to bump into all kinds of local wildlife. This lakeside trail is located within the Fanshawe Conservation Area, and is open to both hikers and cyclists from dusk–dawn, 7 days a week.
Maps & Info: Your Lake Trail Blog
Westminster Ponds Trails
South London – 10.5 km – 2/5 Difficulty – Year-Round
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Cycling (off-road), Snowshoeing, Backcountry
With 6 major ponds and wetlands spanning over 300 hectares, Westminster Pond Trails are located on one of the London’s largest Natural Areas—right in the middle of the city. Upon entering the scenic trails, sounds of the city almost completely disappear. A brisk walk on these trails will have you forgetting that you never even left.
Map & Info: Westminster Ponds/Pond Mills Conservation Area | UTRCA: Inspiring A Healthy Environment
Thames River Loop
Downtown London – 8 km – 2/5 Difficulty – Year-Round
Activities: Walking, Hiking
Located right in the city’s core, this popular trail offers a combination of both natural and man-made views, meaning you don’t have to travel far to get some fresh air & exercise. If you’re feeling ambitious, the Thames River Loop connects to the Medway Forest trail for a double-dose of Mother Nature.
Information: Thames River Loop | Ontario Trails Council
Boler Mountain
Byron (West London) – Mountain Biking & Fitness Trails – Biking: 1–5 km, Hiking: 2 km – Biking: 1–5/5 Difficulty, Hiking: 4/5 Difficulty – May–September
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Mountain Biking
Boler Mountain boasts some of the best cross-country terrain in the province of Ontario. Mountain bikers and hikers can purchase day and season passes to experience and explore the 120-hectare property. Bike rentals and lessons are also available for reasonable rates.
Information: Mountain Biking & Fitness Trails Rates & Information | Boler Mountain
Sharon’s Creek Conservation Area
Delaware – 47.6 hectare – 2/5 Difficulty – Year-Round
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Canoeing, Kayaking, Snowshoeing, Backcountry
Almost 50-hectares of natural landscape to explore. Open all year for hiking, picnicking, snowshoeing, fishing, canoeing, and swimming. Generations of London-locals can recall dangling off rope-swings and swimming in the famous “Sharon’s Creek”—a long-time right of passage for adolescents growing up in the area.
Maps & Info: Sharon Creek Conservation Area « Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority
Sifton Bog
West London – Multiple small trails – 2.7 km – 2/5 Difficulty – Year-Round
Activities: Walking, Hiking
This diverse natural area is the most southerly intact bog in Canada, featuring a network of small trails and boardwalks with views of unique vegetation, tree frogs, turtles, chipmunks, and even white-tailed deer. Sifton Bog is the perfect spot to slow down and spend a peaceful afternoon connecting with nature, and you don’t even have to travel far since this little gem is located in West London.
Map & Info: Sifton Bog | UTRCA: Inspiring A Healthy Environment
Thames Valley Trail
Delaware & London – 110 kms – 2/5 Difficulty – Year-Round
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Backcountry
Lace up your best hiking boots, and get ready to take in all that Southwestern Ontario has to offer. Part of a major network of scenic trails, this mega-trail combines man-made walkways with natural paths, and is a link between the Elgin Trail to Port Stanley and the Avon Trail to St. Mary’s. Technically, you could walk all the way to Niagara Falls or Tobermory starting with the Thames Valley Trail, although you may want to invest in a new pair of hiking boots afterward.
Trails, Maps, & Info: Overview Hiking London TVTA Thames Valley Trails Association
Kilally Meadows
Northeast London – 11 km – 2/5 Difficulty – Year-Round
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Running, Cycling (roads & paths, off-road), Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Backcountry, Geocaching
Maps & Info: Kilally Meadows | UTRCA: Inspiring A Healthy Environment
Elgin Trail
Port Stanley & St.Thomas – 41 km – 3/5 Difficulty – Year-Round –
Activities: Walking, Hiking
Maps & Info: Trail Maps | Elgin Hiking Trail Club
Avon Trail
110 km – 2/5 Difficulty – Year-Round
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Cross Country Skiing, Snowshoeing, Backcountry
Maps & Info: Map – The Avon Trail
If you’d like to make some new friends and are interested in joining a regular hiking group, or for more information on trails included in the Thames Valley Trail visit the Thames Valley Trails Association website. <- Home Hiking London TVTA Thames Valley Trails Association
Mother Nature has been generous to London, Ontario, and opportunities to get outside, explore, and do something active are abundant thanks to a large network of well-maintained pathways, parks, and protected natural areas. Take some time to unwind from the day-to-day grind by visiting one of these incredible local escapes.
Other nearby trails & natural areas to explore:
Medway Forest
Northwest London – 10 km – 2/5 Difficulty – Year-Round
Activities: Walking, Hiking
Sometimes steep and varied terrain, stream-side views with tree-lined slopes reaching up to 25 meters high. Close to Western University.
Maps & Info: Medway Valley Heritage Forest | UTRCA: Inspiring A Healthy Environment
Kettle Creek Conservation Area
St. Thomas – 22 km – 2–3/5 Difficulty – Year-Round
Activities: Walking, Hiking
A network of trails and natural areas located just outside of St. Thomas.
Maps & Info: Hiking Trails – Kettle Creek Conservation Authority
Longwood’s Road Conservation Area
Mount Brydges – 6 km – 2/ 5 Diffuculty – Year-Round
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Snowshoeing
A scenic network of nature trails and host to Ska-Nah-Doht Village and Museum.
Komoka Provincial Park
Komoka – 11km – 2/5 Difficulty – May–December
Activities: Walking, Hiking, Mountain Biking (permitted in marked areas), Horseback Riding (permitted in marked areas)
A collection of trails for walking, biking, snowshoeing, skiing, and even horseback riding.
Map & Info: Komoka.pdf
Have I missed any great spots in the area? Chime in with a comment if you have any recommendations or personal favourites.
About Dr. B.J. Hardick
Dr. B.J. Hardick is a Doctor of Chiropractic and internationally-recognized natural health author and speaker. His health journey began as a child — alternative medicine is the only medicine he has ever known. In 2009, he authored his first book, Maximized Living Nutrition Plans. In 2018, he authored his second book, Align Your Health. An energizing and passionate speaker, Dr. Hardick shares his lifestyle methods to numerous professional and public audiences every year in the United States and Canada. His teachings encompass the principles of ancestral nutrition, detoxification, functional fitness, mindfulness, and green living. Learn More
