In 2002 the trail was extended the final 2 kms in Port Stanley, Ontario to Mackies on the beach for a total of 41 kilometres. Then it travels through the village and heads into the trees north of the town. There is some road work, but most of the trail follows the Kettle Creek spillway valley to the west side of St. Thomas, Ontario with some hills as high as 60 meters. In some cases where the slopes are steep, steps have been put in but some rough terrain can be expected.
Midway of the trail is the trestle bridge at Sunset Drive and Fingal Road, the trail veers northwest.
The path follows Dodd Creek to Paynes Mills. North of Paynes Mills the trail follows scenic roads, and goes through two wooded areas. The trail ends on Southdel Drive connecting with the Thames Valley trail providing another 110 km of trails through London to St Marys. There it connects to the Avon Trail.
Users are required to follow the marked trail. No bicycles, no camping, and no littering are common sense requests in the Trail User’s Code.
The Elgin Hiking Trail is marked by blazes. The blazes are painted white on main trail and blue on side trails. They are 5 x 15 cm (2 x 6 inch) and about 5 feet off the ground on the right side.
Directions:
Referenced from Hwy. 401: Take exit 177 south and proceed on Highway 4 to Port Stanley, Ontario. After entering the village of Port Stanley turn right at the first traffic light, cross the bridge, follow the road ahead and turn left at the next intersection (William Street) towards the beach on Lake Erie.
The trail starts at the beach, next to Mackie’s Restaurant, look for the two “Post People Hikers”. Paid beach parking is in force in Port Stanley and rates and hours change frequently.
Many access points are available west of Hwy. 4 on all cross roads south of St. Thomas, Ontario i.e. Southdale Line, John Wise Line, Mellor Rd, Sparta Line. The Shaw’s side trail veering off to the right on the map ends at Shaw’s Ice Cream and the side trail markers are blue.
Link to trail map and website of Elgin Hiking Trail Club:
We would also direct you to read our DISCLAIMER and our TRAIL USERS CODE.
Region(s): Elgin CountyNearby towns and cities: Port Stanley | St. Thomas
ELGIN HIKING TRAIL characteristics
Length: 41 kmDifficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Natural
Trail use: Hiking
Accessibility Notes: Accessibility not known.
Fees: None reported
Flora & Fauna:
Not yet reported.
Amenities: None reported
Contact:
tourism@elgin.ca
Elgin Tourism 519-631-1460 x 168 Toll Free 1-877-GO ELGIN (463-5446) x 168
Find it: proceed on Highway 4 to Port Stanley, Ontario. After entering the village of Port Stanley turn right at the first traffic light, cross the bridge, follow the road ahead and turn left at the next intersection (William Street) towards the beach on Lake Erie
GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 42.6641350
Longitude: -81.2156330
Can i get on the elgin hiking trail from St thomas. If so where exactly> tried to find it, very confusing thanks
Tina, Yes you can get on the Elgin Hiking Trail in St. Thomas. The new trail map link, from the Elgin Hiking Trail Club, that I have now uploaded to the site should give you a better idea of where the trail passes through St. Thomas.