Elgin County Nature Trails
Welcome to Elgin County!
The Attawandaron also known as the Neutral Nation established villages and grew crops in this area of southwestern Ontario until the mid 17th century. In 1803 Colonel Thomas Talbot arrived on the fertile shores of Elgin County. Over the next 30 years, in his role as official land agent, he oversaw the settlement of 3,000 residents in the area stretching from Woodstock to Windsor. Early settlers to the area fulfilled conditions such as building roads and clearing land.
During the War of 1812, American raiders plagued the settlement, burning mills and stealing horses, clothing, food and any possessions they could carry. Colonel Thomas Talbot was a target for capture but was never caught. After the war, more settlers arrived: Highland Scots, Irish and Quakers from Pennsylvania. Towns appeared and ports developed along Lake Erie’s shores.
Railway arrived in the 1850s. Over the next 50 years five railway lines were established through St. Thomas and Elgin. Processing Plants such as the Carnation Milk Company and the Canadian Canners Limited in Aylmer as well as cheese factories and fisheries made food processing a key industry. Sandy soils in the County’s east were ideal for tobacco production and the Imperial Leaf Tobacco Company opened a facility in Aylmer in the 1940s.
Elgin County’s heritage is a rich tapestry made up of thousands of unique stories. Today these stories are brought to life in our museums, archives, historic buildings, and preserved through the efforts of curators, historians, re-enactors and hundreds of volunteers. Elgin County’s storied past can be found in the historic village of Sparta, at the Southwold Earthworks near Iona and during its many annual heritage events including Doors Open each autumn.
For more information please visit: The Attawandaron also known as the Neutral Nation established villages and grew crops in this area of southwestern Ontario until the mid 17th century. In 1803 Colonel Thomas Talbot arrived on the fertile shores of Elgin County. Over the next 30 years, in his role as official land agent, he oversaw the settlement of 3,000 residents in the area stretching from Woodstock to Windsor. Early settlers to the area fulfilled conditions such as building roads and clearing land.
During the War of 1812, American raiders plagued the settlement, burning mills and stealing horses, clothing, food and any possessions they could carry. Colonel Thomas Talbot was a target for capture but was never caught. After the war, more settlers arrived: Highland Scots, Irish and Quakers from Pennsylvania. Towns appeared and ports developed along Lake Erie’s shores.
Railway arrived in the 1850s. Over the next 50 years five railway lines were established through St. Thomas and Elgin. Processing Plants such as the Carnation Milk Company and the Canadian Canners Limited in Aylmer as well as cheese factories and fisheries made food processing a key industry. Sandy soils in the County’s east were ideal for tobacco production and the Imperial Leaf Tobacco Company opened a facility in Aylmer in the 1940s.
Elgin County’s heritage is a rich tapestry made up of thousands of unique stories. Today these stories are brought to life in our museums, archives, historic buildings, and preserved through the efforts of curators, historians, re-enactors and hundreds of volunteers. Elgin County’s storied past can be found in the historic village of Sparta, at the Southwold Earthworks near Iona and during its many annual heritage events including Doors Open each autumn.
For more information please visit: The Attawandaron also known as the Neutral Nation established villages and grew crops in this area of southwestern Ontario until the mid 17th century. In 1803 Colonel Thomas Talbot arrived on the fertile shores of Elgin County. Over the next 30 years, in his role as official land agent, he oversaw the settlement of 3,000 residents in the area stretching from Woodstock to Windsor. Early settlers to the area fulfilled conditions such as building roads and clearing land.
During the War of 1812, American raiders plagued the settlement, burning mills and stealing horses, clothing, food and any possessions they could carry. Colonel Thomas Talbot was a target for capture but was never caught. After the war, more settlers arrived: Highland Scots, Irish and Quakers from Pennsylvania. Towns appeared and ports developed along Lake Erie’s shores.
Railway arrived in the 1850s. Over the next 50 years five railway lines were established through St. Thomas and Elgin. Processing Plants such as the Carnation Milk Company and the Canadian Canners Limited in Aylmer as well as cheese factories and fisheries made food processing a key industry. Sandy soils in the County’s east were ideal for tobacco production and the Imperial Leaf Tobacco Company opened a facility in Aylmer in the 1940s.
Elgin County’s heritage is a rich tapestry made up of thousands of unique stories. Today these stories are brought to life in our museums, archives, historic buildings, and preserved through the efforts of curators, historians, re-enactors and hundreds of volunteers. Elgin County’s storied past can be found in the historic village of Sparta, at the Southwold Earthworks near Iona and during its many annual heritage events including Doors Open each autumn.
You will find some of the best hiking and nature trails in Ontario right here in Elgin County.
For more information please visit: http://www.elgintourist.com/
CALTON SWAMP WETLAND COMPLEX
Located at 52591 John Wise Line-east of Carter Road A prime example of Ontario wetland, the CSWC has been managed over the past few decades by CCCA in partnership with the Ministry of Natural Resources. Located near the Hamlet of Calton, the Complex is home to some of...DALEWOOD NORTH TRAIL
Dalewood North Trail connects the Dan Patterson Trail to the Dalewood Reservoir Trail. This robust trail, which includes some hills, will take the more avid hiker into the heart of Kettle Creek’s wild valley lands. Hikers will be treated to vistas of lands hardly...DALEWOOD WALKING TRAIL
The Dalewood walking trail is a fairly moderate hike with some slight hills and steep areas. However, a walk around the Dalewood reservoir alone is 6 km. So decide how far you want to go before heading out. The complete 13-km path meanders along Kettle Creek leading...DAN PATTERSON TRAIL
Nestled in the Kettle Creek valley lands, the Dan Patterson walking trail is close to home, but far enough to escape city life. The walking trail starts at Dan Patterson Conservation Area, which is a popular picnic spot complete with a playground, rentable pavilion...ELGIN HIKING TRAIL
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...FINGAL WILDLIFE MANAGEMENT AREA TRAILS
The Fingal Wildlife Management Area (FWMA) exists on an old World War II air force training base. Some of the habitat restoration activities included the removal of the military infrastructure, development of a series of ponds, planting of trees and shrubs,...Hawk Cliff Woods
Hawk Cliff Woods is a short but beautiful trail loop through a young forest into a more mature forest. Expect to see species like Sugar Maple and Shagbark Hickory as well as ravine views. The trail is easy and flat, but expect a couple of very muddy spots during the...JOHN E. PEARCE PROVINCIAL PARK TRAILS
Spicer Trail 1.5 km (1 hour) easy This trail leads through a centuries old hardwood forest. Fifteen interpretive stops are described in the trail guide and 30 trees are identified along the trail. Link to trail map: Click to access 132_pearce_park.pdf We would also...KIRK-COUSINS TRAIL
Step into a bird watcher’s paradise. A’Nowaghi Forest Ponds or a “place of the turtles” is an important nesting and migration area for birds and has been designated a Provincially Significant Wetland by the province of Ontario and an Environmentally Significant Area...