The Mosa Forest, or what is locally known as Skunk’s Misery, is one of the larger wooded sites in the Province west of London, with a total area of 500 hectares. The County of Middlesex owns the majority of the forest block, the LTVCA owns 121.3 hectares, with the remainder in private ownership.
Public access is restricted to designated trails. To preserve the natural heritage features of this significant and sensitive woodlot, access beyond the trails to the remainder of the Conservation Authority forest is subject to prior approval from the LTVCA.
It is an Area of Natural and Scientific Interest, a Provincially Significant Wetland and a designated Carolinian Canada Site.
The LTVCA purchased the land in three parcels. Two 40.5 hectare parcels known as the “Beattie Tract” were purchased in 1964. The remaining 40.3 hectare parcel known as the “Fennell Tract” was purchased in 1988, with the assistance of the Ontario Heritage Trust.
These lots were purchased in order to protect and preserve a significant part of the Skunk’s Misery Area of Natural and Scientific Interest, portions of a Provincially Significant Wetland that are located throughout the overall forest and a designated Carolinian Canada Site.
Features
The Badder & Robinson Memorial Forest is located on the eastern limits of the Conservation Authority owned property. This memorial forest is open for day use from 8 a.m. to sunset year-round, free of charge.
Public access is restricted to designated trails. To preserve the natural heritage features of this significant and sensitive woodlot, access beyond the trails to the remainder of the Conservation Authority forest is subject to prior approval from the LTVCA. Absolutely NO motorized vehicles (ATV, 4-wheel drive, jeep, etc.) are allowed within the property beyond designated parking areas, as vehicles can cause serious damage to tree root systems and other vegetation.
Directions
The Mosa Forest is in the Municipality of Southwest Middlesex, on the south side of Concession Drive, at 962 Centreville Dr, Newbury. From the village of Wardsville take Hagerty Road north (Middlesex County Rd. 1) to Concession Drive (Middlesex County Rd. 14). Turn west onto Concession Drive and the Mosa Forest is located between Dogwood Road and Sassafras Road.
Link to Conservation Area trail guide & map: (See page 18) https://www.lowerthames-conservation.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/2022-LTVCA-Conservation-Areas-Guidebook-May-24-2022-web.pdf
Link to trail map from Middlesex County: (See page 13) https://www.visitmiddlesex.ca/plan/middlesex-county-trails-guide (See page 13)
We would also direct you to read our DISCLAIMER and our TRAIL USERS CODE.
Region(s): Middlesex CountyNearby towns and cities: Glencoe | Newbury | Thamesville
MOSA FOREST/SKUNK’S MISERY characteristics
Length: 4 kmDifficulty: Moderate (Trail classifications)
Trail surface: Natural
Trail use: Hiking, Cross-country skiing, Snowshoeing, and Mountain biking
Accessibility Notes: Accessibility not known.
Fees: None reported
Flora & Fauna:
Not yet reported.
Amenities: None reported
Contact:
info@ltvca.ca
Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority 100 Thames Street Chatham, Ontario N7L 2Y8 Tel: 519-354-7310
Find it: Concession Drive, Southwest Middlesex, ON
GPS Coordinates (main trailhead):
Latitude: 42.6470000
Longitude: -81.8280000
I am having difficulty finding the trail maps for Skunks Misery. I would like to go trail riding here but understand it is a large area & that you could get lost.
The only trail maps I have are listed on the site as links to both the Lower Thames Valley C.A. and to Middlesex County. Both are excerpts from their guide books and not will illustrative of the precise trail locations. I have reached out to the C.A. via their email address of info@ltvca.ca to see if they have an actual trails map available. I have not heard back from them. You might also want to check with them to see if trail riding is an allowed activity on their trails. They do not list such an activity. I do know that the Thames Talbot Lands Trust that controls much of the rest of the eastern part of the Mosa Forest/Skunk’s Misery area does not allow equestrian activities.