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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 = 9.5 km. Trestle
Bridge to Car Wash Junction. = 2.7 km. Car Wash Junction to Southdale Line = 2.5 km Southdale
Line to John Wise Line = 1.9 km. John Wise Line to Mellor Road = 2.4 km.
Terrain: The trail runs through mostly wooded areas with some medium to difficult
hills to climb. Keep in mind that the trail is mostly clay based and thus can be slippery after rains.
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 a hat or cap, hiking boots; long
sleeved shirts and long pants and trekking poles 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. Guide Books are 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.
From Fingal Line, the trail goes up high and around a horse farm on Sunset
Drive through wooded areas to the trail access point on Sunset Drive. The trail follows Sunset Drive ( WALK ON THE (WEST
SIDE) SIDEWALK or EDGE OF THE ROAD - HEAVY TRAFFIC) till just before the Sunset Towers Apartment Building
where you have to climb over the road safety rail into the woods again. Shortly thereafter you will come upon the remnants
of a rail road trestle, which spanned the Kettle Creek. After passing the Blue Trail junction (to the Carwash) the trail
proceeds on fairly level ground. When arriving at the point where the trail meets close with Kettle Creek again, you
will see across the creek a magnificent Sycamore tree. Some fairly level ground will follow till you pass a water
catch basin and a gravel path leading up to the new Shawside sub-division, after which some medium and highly difficult
(20 to 50 meters high) hills are to be climbed. When arriving at the "dunes" , warning signs are posted not to
cross these dunes, they have been unstable and dangerous. Good vistas of the surrounding areas can be seen from the
trail. Thereafter you will come upon one small and one large wooden bridge crossing streams, build by
the Elgin Regiment in May 2003. The next trail access points are at the end of Southdale Rd. from here
going South, medium and difficult hills are part of the scenery. After crossing John Wise Line at it's access points,
the trail is relative flat with some low hills through wooden areas. After your last climb you will arrive at and
turn right on a farm lane, which you will follow till Mellor Rd. Turn left on Mellor Road and follow
it till it's junction with Fulton Bridge Line, where the trail turns left into the woods again.
Looking from the trestle bridge west, the trail access point (going south)
on Fingal Line, is just behind the hydro pole shown in the picture at left, where you have to clime a short incline to
reach the trail. Ample parking is available under the trestle bridge or on the side of the road across from this
trail entrance.
In the picture at right you will find the access point
of the trail just behind the hydro pole (see the double blaze). When arriving at this point, coming from the north, you will
make a right turn and follow Sunset Drive for about 1 km. Please stay on this side and off the ( very busy ) road, use
the sidewalk or the edge of the road ( single file ), away from the driving surface.
Parking near this point is only across the road in Vince Barry Park.
In the picture at left, when walking towards the south on Sunser Drive and just before reaching some houses
and the Sunset Towers Apartment Building, you will see a hydro pole with change of direction blazes and a trail
distance sign. Here you will climb over the wire safety barrier before going into the woods again. Parking is
available just north of Chester Street along the north side of Sunset Drive.
In the picture at right, the blue trail from the carwash is accessable on
the left of the carwash, straight towards the rear. This blue trail will connect you with the Elgin Trail after about
1 km, going either south or north. Ample parking is available along the left side fence.
The picture on the left gives you a view from the end of Southdale Line. On the left (not visible
due to tall weeds), just behind the hydro pole, is a small bridge over a stream from which you continue north on the
trail. Cross the bridge, turn right and follow the stream east to where the trail turns to the left and upwards
towards St. Thomas. Parking is available on the side and off the road.
At the end of Southdale Line, you will see on the left hand side two small structures, which was once a goat farm some
time back. Just byond them, on the left, is also the access point going south on the trail, shown in the picture
at right.
The two trail access points on John Wise Line are shown in the picture at left ( going north ) and the picture below
(going south). They are directly opposite from each other, and when driving to them from Sunset Drive, they are
located just before the road dips down toward where the Kettle Creek crosses through a culvert under the road.
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When walking on this section towards Mellor Road and you arrive at very large farm field(s) bordered with a wide
wagon path upon which you are directed to turn right. You will follow this path through a left turn and continue
on till you reach Mellor Road (see picture at left). You turn to your left and follow Mellor Road till it
meets Fulton Bridge Line (coming in from the right) At that point you will see the entrance to the trail going
south on your left. See picture below.
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