Trails
Background
Lambton Shores is blessed with 'Gems of Nature' on the northern fringes of the 'Carolinian Life Zone'. An area south of the imaginary line between Grand Bend and Toronto, this zone represents less than 1% of Canada's landmass, but is home to the largest diversity of fauna & flora species in the country. This small part of Canada in southwestern Ontario also has the highest number of species-at-risk in the country. Our 'Gems of Nature' are unique. They include miles of sandy beaches along the south-eastern shores of Lake Huron, bare & forested dune lands, fresh-water coastal wetlands, rare Oak Savanna, steep & forested ravines in river and creek valleys, remnant prairies of tall grass and wildflowers, spherical concretions or 'Kettles' in black shale beds, Brachiopod & Trilobite fossils of the Devonian Period. They offer sights of majestic Tundra Swans & soaring Eagles, amazing Flying Squirrels, beautiful butterflies & damselflies, endangered turtles & hognose snakes, fish & mussel species-at-risk, Sassafras & Tulip Trees. And then there are those unforgettable sunsets!
Blazes
Main Trail - White Blaze
Straight ahead hiking path
Left Turn
Noteworthy direction change
Tuxedo Blaze
Emphasize blaze
Side Trail - Blue Blaze
Straight ahead hiking path
Right Turn
Noteworthy direction change
End Of Side Trail
Dead end or reconnects
with Main Trail
Trails
Trails are for recreational use only. Use at own risk.
* Wear good footwear
* Bring water
* Bring bug spray
* Bring a map or read the map on the trailhead sign
* Know your limits
ALWAYS CHECK YOURSELF FOR TICKS AFTER A HIKE !
Check The Weather
Check the Environment Canada website for the local weather forecast https://weather.gc.ca/city/pages/on-46_metric_e.html
If there is rain in the forecast, we would advise you check the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority "flood watch".
Forested Dunes Nature Reserve
Status
Passable hiking trail - no trailhead map sign or on-tail directional signs.
Difficulty & Distance
Easy - 4 km (2.5 mi) out and back
Access
7101 Outer Drive west of Port Franks through the ‘L’ Lake Management Area owned by the Ausable-Bayfield Conservation Authority.
Description
The hike from Outer Drive to Mud Creek and back is approximately 5 km and leads through the 139-acre Forested Dunes Nature Reserve, part of the 150,000-acre Port Franks Dunes & Wetlands Complex designated provincially as an Area of Natural & Scientific Interest (ANSI) and nationally as an Important Birding Area (IBA). The old Mud Creek pedestrian bridge which provided access from Huron St. in Port Franks was removed in 2011 due to safety concerns.
Additional Notes
The trail has been cleared for the most part. Plans are to have the remaining section cleared by the end of October.
'L' Lake Management Area
Status
Trail Loop is blazed - has a trailhead map sign.
Difficulty & Distance
Easy - 1.5 km (1 mi) loop
Access
7101 Outer Drive west of Port Franks
Description
The 69 acre ‘L’ Lake site offers a gentle 1.5 km hiking trail through cedar wetlands and mixed Carolinian Forest. This is also the entrance to the Nature Conservancy of Canada's Forest Dunes Nature Reserve.
Additional Notes
The trail has many mosquitos during the summer months (June-August).
Mystery Falls
Status
Trail is blazed - has a trailhead map sign & on-trail directional signs.
Difficulty & Distance
Moderate - some steep sections - 4 km (2.5 mi) loop
Access
Close to west end of Elm Tree Drive ('white' & 'blue' blazed). Parking lot is on right side at the end of Elm Tree Dr. approximately 150 m beyond the trailhead.
Description
The 4.5 km Trail Loop traverses rugged terrain with gullies and steep forested ravines - half of the loop is ‘blue’ blazed - the other half is is part of the main Ausable River Valley Trail and is ‘white’ blazed.
Additional Notes
Foot bridges and ladder in use on trail. Elm Tree Drive is not maintained during winter.
Lambton County Heritage Forest
Status
Trails are blazed - has trailhead map sign and on-trail directional signs.
Difficulty & Distance
Easy & Moderate - 3 separate interconnected trails - 2.1 km (1.3 mi), 2.8 km (1.7 mi), 3.1 km (1.9 mi)
Access
9997 Port Franks Road at the Port Franks Community Centre in Port Franks.
Description
This 570 acre Oak-Savanna & Carolinian Forest offers three trails respectively 3.1 km, 5.2 km & 6.6 km in total length from the Community Centre.
Additional Notes
Some mosquitos in summer.
Ausable River Valley
Status
Trail is blazed - has only a few on-trail directional signs.
Difficulty & Distance
Difficult - 11.6 km (7.2 mi) one direction with lesser cut offs for shorter distances
Access
Trail is accessible from 3 entrance points – Off Scout Road at 'Prairie Restoration Project' sign – from west end of both McDonald Drive & Elm Tree Drive.
Description
The 11 km 'white' blazed trail traverses rugged terrain with gullies and steep forested ravines along the east side of the Ausable River. The forest is mostly oak, maple, and ash.
Additional Notes
The trail section branching off the Mystery Falls 'blue' part of the trail to MacDonald Drive is CLOSED pending the removal of dead ash trees along the trail.
Heritage-Ausable Connector
Status
Connector trail is blazed 'orange' - has on-trail directional signs
Difficulty & Distance
Easy - 2 km (1.2 mi) one direction
Access
9997 Port Franks Road at the Port Franks Community Centre parking lot Trailhead OR at the back of the 'white' blazed trail loop in the Ausable River Cut Conservation Area.
Description
This 3 km trail connects the Ausable River Cut trail network to the Trailhead of the Lambton County Heritage Forest trails at Port Franks Community Centre parking lot.
Additional Notes
Park of this connector is along a paved shoulder of the Port Franks Road.
Ipperwash Dunes & Swales
Status
Two trails have been blazed, trailhead & on-trail signs have been installed and unwanted ATV trails have been covered with brush to permit re-naturalization.
Difficulty & Distance
Easy - 2 trails - 4.7 km(2.9 mi), 2.5 km (1.6 mi) out and back
Access
In Ipperwash from the end of Richardson Drive off East Parkway Drive.
Description
The Carolinian Forest & Dunelands here cover over 500 acres and includes a 172 acre Nature Reserve owned by Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC). The Dunes & Swales ('White') Trail is 5.5 km and winds through a Carolinian Forest of sand ridges and wet swales passable on boardwalks. A variety of wildflowers makes this trail a feast for the eyes in spring. The Cedar ('Green') Trail is 2.2 km and features many cedar coves. A 4.5 km Beach Trail through coastal wetlands, dune lands and along the Lake Huron shoreline is under review pending agreement by lot owner.
Additional Notes
Gravel parking lot available. The trails have mosquitos during the summer months (June-August).
Ausable River Cut Conservation Area
Status
Developed hiking trail system - trailhead sign installed.
Difficulty & Distance
Easy-Moderate - 2 km (1.2 mi) loop
Access
9984 Northville Cres. just off Hwy # 21 at the Ausable Cut Bridge in Northville.
Description
This 32 acre road-side park on the Ausable Cut offers hikers a challenging 2 km loop trail over a high sand-dune - easy short-cuts are available.
Additional Notes
A wheelchair accessible path leads to a viewing platform looking over the Ausable Cut. This is a great place to fish for catfish, drum, perch and pickerel. A large sand dune can be found at the halfway point (hiking clockwise will have you going down the dune). A gravel parking lot and washroom is available.
Karner Blue
Status
Blazed & accessible hiking trail loop - no trailhead or on-trail signs.
Difficulty & Distance
Easy - 1.6 km (1 mi) loop
Access
9904 Nipigon Street in Port Franks - 0.5 km east of Port Franks Road at Whatman Street.
Description
This extremely rare 37 acre ‘Dry Oak-Pine Woodland’ has a 2 km trail traversing gently on a sloping sandy terrain. The Karner Blue butterfly after which this Nature Sanctuary is named is extirpated.
Additional Notes
Trail is overgrown with poison ivy.
Forest Trails
Status
1. Forest Walkway Trail
2. Grand Trunk Trail
3. Lagoon Loop.
Trailhead structure & signs
Difficulty & Distance
Easy - 1) 2.4 km (1.5 mi) out and back 2) 4 km (2.5 mi) out and back 3) 1.8 km (1.1 mi) loop
Access
Trailhead is located at 12 Railroad Way, Forest.
Description
The formal 2.8 km (one way) paved Forest Walkway Trail leads south to the Esli Dodge Conservation Area. The Grand Trunk Trail along the old railway track is a 4 km return trip over flat lands. A 1 km Lagoon Loop is available at the end of the Grand Trunk Trail.
Additional Notes
A skateboard (X-Park) is available at the trailhead. A small portion of the trail heads east from the trailhead to the Rotary Civic Square including a splash pad.
Grand Bend Rotary Nature Trail
Status
Developed hard-surfaced walking & bicycle trail.
Difficulty & Distance
Easy - 9 km (5.6 mi) one direction
Access
Anywhere along Highway 21 from the entrance of Pinery Provincial Park and Grand Bend.
Description
This 10 km multi-use and relatively flat trail runs parallel to Highway #21 from Grand Bend to the entrance of Pinery Provinial Park at 1512 Lakeshore Drive (Hwy #21). Interest has been expressed to build a 'Pinery to Port Franks Bikeway' also along Highway #21.
Additional Notes
This is a paved trail.
Rock Glen Conservation Area
Status
Developed Trail System - Trailhead signs & markers installed.
Difficulty & Distance
Easy-Moderate - various distances
Access
8680 Rock Glen Road – Follow the Conservation Area sign from County Road #79 just north of Arkona.
Description
This 67-acre gorge site has a 1.5 km hiking trail with steep stairways and a wheelchair-accessible overlook.
Additional Notes
An entrance fee applies. Visit www.abca.on.ca for more details.
Joany's Woods
Status
Developed trails - trailhead and on-trail signs installed and trail guide available.
Difficulty & Distance
Easy-Difficult - 3 separate trails - 4.8 km (3 mi) loop, 3.2 km (2 mi) loop, 2.2 km (1.4 mi) one direction
Access
Boothill Road from north & Vernon Road from south near Village of Sylvan on County Road #7.
Description
The 367 acre property located in the Ausable River Valley (east side - just north of the bridge on County Road #7) has a difficult 4.8 km and an easy 3.2 km trail loop through mixed Carolinian-Great Lakes Hardwood Swamp Forest, and a 2.2 km trail along the river - Visit www.thamestalbotlandtrust.ca
Additional Notes
The trails have mosquitos during the summer months (June-August).
Pinery Provincial Park
Status
Developed hiking & bicycle trails - trailhead signs installed.
Difficulty & Distance
Easy - various distances
Access
1512 Lakeshore Drive (Hwy #21) 10 km south of Grand Bend.
Description
This large 6300-acre park has kilometers of sandy beaches and an extensive network of hiking & bicycle trails through Oak Savanna.
Additional Notes
An entrance fee applies. Visit www.pinerypark.on.ca for more details.