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YOU WILL FIND ON THIS PAGE PICTURES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TRAIL ACCESS
POINTS SHOWN IN THE MAP ABOVE
YOU CAN RIGHT CLICK ON ANY PICTURE / MAP AND SAVE IT ON YOUR COMPUTER TO
KEEP OR PRINT IT FOR REFERENCE.
Distances: Total = 11.5 km Southdel Bourne to Mill Rd., (South of the 401)
= 3.0 km Mill Rd. to 4th Line = 3.0 km 4th Line to Paynes Mills = 5.5 km road walking.
Terrain: You will be traveling through McCaig Bush and McGoogan Bush with mostly flat
terrain in the woods, some areas in both bushes tend to be very wet after heavy rain falls in the Fall and when
the snow melts in early Spring, occasionally creating the need for bushwacking detours.
Hikers are reminded that they hike the Elgin Hiking Trail
at their own risk and that the ELGIN HIKING TRAIL CLUB is not responsible for any injuries incurred, death, or loss of way.
Please, read the red and black on white signs at the trail access point where you are starting your hike and comply with
the requirements. For your safety and comfort, wear proper foot wear; hiking boots, long sleeved shirts
and long pants are recommended. Bring adequate water and snacks along on your hike plus insect repellant during
the high activity seasons.
For more information than is described here, i.e. fauna, trail details, etc. you can purchase our Guide
Book at $13 for non-members and $10 for members (+ $3 for S&H). See our web page "Membership Application" for
ordering by mail. Available also at Novack's on King St. in London or at Mackie's on the beach in Port Stanley.
The Elgin Hiking Trail as described from North
to South.
Southdel Bourne, on the shared border of Elgin county and
Middlesex County, is where the Thames Valley Trail and the Elgin Hiking Trail join to make a continues hike possible
to Tobermory in the Bruce Peninsula or Queenston near Niagara Falls. It is also Point Zero on the Elgin towards Port
Stanley, 41 km away. This section takes you through McCaig Bush to the 3rd Line, walk the side of the road on 3rd line
and Mills Rd. (Cty Rd 119) cross the Hwy.401 after which you turn left on a farmers wagon path. At this point,
a sign is posted to direct you around private property on which we are not allowed to trespass. Please follow the
directions.
You will enter McGougan Bush and follow the trail to where
it exits on 4th Line, at which point you turn left and follow the road via 4th line, Parson Road, Longhurst Line and Paynes
Mills Road to the Red Barn in Paynes Mills.
| Access point off Southdel Bourne hiking south |
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In the picture at left, Southdel Bourne Road is shown
at right , facing West. Parking is on the shoulder of this county road. The Thames Valley and the Elgin Hiking
Trails join here at this point. Hiking south, cross the ditch and follow the tree line for about 30 meters
and look for the blaze on a tree towards the right and enter McCaig Bush.
| View to the North and McCaig Bush from Third Line |
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When you exit McCaig Bush, in the picture at right, hike south
and follow the fence line (along the east side) till the last post, just on the other side of the ditch. DO NOT
TRY TO CROSS THIS DITCH Turn towards your right and follow the fields edge, next to the ditch along Third Line till
a farm laneway. Turn left towards the road and turn right on Third Line towards Mill Road. Parking on third line
is not recommended.
| Trail access on Third Line, hiking north |
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In the picture at left, the Trail access point coming from Mill Road, going north, is the
farm lane off Third Line at the left in this picture. Walk it for about 4 meters, turn right to the East and follow
the edge of the field, next to the ditch along Third Line.
| The access point on Mill road, hiking south. |
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In this picture at right, your approach to the trail access
from Mill Road. After you cross Hwy. 401, you will see a double blaze
and two signs, one is a directional sign you will have to follow closely. See next picture below. Park on the
shoulder of Mill Road.
| The approach to McGougan Bush |
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| Please follow the directions as shown on the signs |
Important: Please follow the trail directions as per the
signs posted at both ends of the field shown in the picture at left. In the background is McGougan Bush.
| The trail access point on Fourth Line |
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In the picture at right, looking East on Fourth
Line, in the direction to Paynes Mills, the access point to McGougan Bush is seen at the left as a small bridge over
the ditch.
| Approaching the Paynes Mills trail access point. |
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In the picture at left, walking south on Paynes Mills Road
towards it's intersection with Talbot Line (Hwy.# 3) and across the highway, about 10 meters to the right, you will find the
entrance between two stone pillars to the Red Barn Area of the Elgin Hiking Trail Club. (see picture below on the right)
Plenty of parking available on the grass covered area in front of the barn.
In the picture below at the left, you will see the trail going North from Paynes Mills on
Paynes Mills Road.
| The trail's view from the barn looking North |
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