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YOU WILL FIND ON THIS PAGE PICTURES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF THE TRAIL ACCESS
POINTS (in white)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 = 10.2 km Mellor
Road to Union Station = 2.2 km. Road walk from Union Station to Union Road = 2.7 km. Union
Road to Thomas Road = 1.6 km. Thomas Road to Union Rd. / Carlow Rd. junction = 1.7 km. Union/Carlow
Rd. junction, via Carlow, George and William Streets to Mackie's on the Main Beach in Port Stanley = 2.0 km
Terrain: Walk through mainly wooded areas with some medium difficult (20 to 30 meters high) hills, till Union Rd. / Carlow Rd. Junction. The trail is clay based thus can
be slippery after rains. Just north of Thomas road, you will traverse on a long board walk of about 150 m (450
feet). Walk the side walks from Union Rd. / Carlow Rd. junction to Port Stanley Main Beach.
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.
The trail between Mellor Road and Union Station
is sprinkled with wet sections (waterproof boots are an asset), exposed roots and a path that runs perillously close to Kettle
Creek at times, but makes for a challenging hike. About 1 km from Mellor Rd. you will come across the junction
with the Blue Trail to Shaw's Icecream on Sunset Drive. A favorite end point for many summer hikes. Just before
reaching Union Station, there will one challenging climb up to the railroad level after which you can relax with a snack before
walking the road for 2.7 km to the Union Road trail access point. The next section has some medium difficult hills
and just before reaching Thomas Road, you will traverse an approximate 450 feet long boardwalk.
At Thomas Road you can visit the Lake Erie Salmon & Trout Hatchery and buy
fish food to feed the fish in their many ponds or enclosures. The long boardwalk also ensures that the stream that feeds
the hatchery and flows along and under the boardwalk, does not get disturbed or contaminated. The trail continues south
from the right side of the hatchery, through tall woods and over some very difficult hills and ends up on Union Road, just
north of the Lake Line - Warren St. and Carlow Rd. junction. From here you walk the blazed sidewalks in Port Stanley
to Mackie's on the Main Beach where you will see the three Post Hikers indicating the start or end of the Elgin Hiking Trail.
When starting your hike from Mellor road going south look for a coloured sign posted just
below the berm to start your hike into the woods. See picture at left.
When parking at this location, please park on the joint corners of Mellor Road and Fulton
Bridge Line, across the road from the trail access point, on the grassy area. Please, follow the instructions
posted on the parking sign.
The trail access point going both North and South at Union Station is shown in the picture
at right. Along the right side of the guard rail, is the trail going down towards the North.
At the left side, looking at Sparta Line going West, is the road walking trail (2.7 km)towards
the South and the Union Road access point.
The picture at left shows the Union Station from the rail
road overpass, looking North.
After following Sparta Line West and South from Union Station, and
crossing a steel bridge for automotive traffic, you arrive at it's junction with Union Road, you will turn right and folow
this road for about a 1/3rd KM after which you turn left into the woods where the blazes indicate. See picture at right.
The access point towards the North is shown in the picture at left. It is just opposite
the Lake Erie Salmon and Trout Club on Thomas Road. Coming from Union Road, you will have crossed a long wooden boardwalk
to get here.
The purpose of building it was to protect the vegitation growing in this wet area and
to protect the quality of the water flowing to the Lake Erie Trout and Fish Farm See picture at below.
The trail access point going south from Thomas Road, is just to the west of the entrance to
the Lake Erie Trout and Fish Farm shown in the picture below. There is also provision for parking there on a grassy
area, please take care not to damage the grass.
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