Best walking/hiking trails in Sarnia (or just outside) for you and your dog
One of my favourite things that 2020 brought me was how much time I spent outdoors. Certainly my dog has been enjoying this too!
Below I’ve listed some of my favourite trails for you and your pooch to break out of your normal city walks, see some green, and connect with nature.
Trails outside of town:
Ipperwash Dunes and Swales
Ipperwash Dunes and Swales is one of my all time favourite local hikes. It is absolutely gorgeous. Near Grand Bend, it is about 30-40 mins from Sarnia. There are two loop choices – a 5.5km loop and a 2.5km loop. You can choose to do both, but the loops start a couple of kilometers into the hike, so it ends up being much shorter than 8km.
There are a lot of boardwalks that have been created to pass over a couple of marshy parts of the hike, and they are well maintained. The forest setting is absolutely beautiful!
The Pinery Provincial Park
About 40-45 minutes away from Sarnia, The Pinery has 10 walking trails throughout. I have only done a few of them, but each were beautiful and had very different aspects. Most of them are quite short, but could be fun to make a day of it and explore a few different trails. The longest trail is 3km, and there are a few that are less than one. My favourite trail is the one down to their beautiful beaches. The downside of The Pinery is that you have to pay per vehicle to get in. I paid around $18. It is full of lots of fun activities however, so could be worth it if you make a day out of it.
Lorne Henderson
Lorne Henderson is located in Petrolia about 20-25 mins away. It is a 3.7km loop, and can get very muddy depending on the weather. It does however have a few different trails, a few ponds and is very gorgeous!
Dow Wetlands
Located in Corunna, 15 minutes outside of town, Dow Wetlands is an awesome spot for walking. It’s 35 acres, with 5 ponds and 3km of hiking trails. There are lots of animals near these trails and a lot less “wet” than Wawanosh wetlands. There are several bridges that cross over the ponds, which makes for some cool detours.
Mystery Falls
Mystery Falls is located in Parkhill 45-50 mins away. It can be a little difficult to find the trailhead off of Elm Tree Drive, but when you find it, it offers 12km’s of trails. A beautiful spot and a chance to see the waterfall, it is well worth the drive. The terrain makes is feel much more like a “hike” than some of the other walks mentioned on this page. I did have a hard time following the trail markers a few times, and went down the wrong path, but that’s all part of the fun!
Trails in town:
Howard Watson Nature Trail
First, and most obvious for tails in town is the Howard Watson Nature Trail. What, until 1982, was a CN rail line, is now a beautiful 16km network of trails that runs from Sarnia to Camlachie. If you live in Sarnia, you’ve probably walked this trail, so I have to add it to the list!
What’s nice about this trail is that it runs throughout Sarnia, and is accessible at many points, so you will likely be able to access it from a spot close to your house.
These trails are a regular for me, so you might also just get to see your favourite realtor and Saint Bernard.
It is an easy trail that is very flat.
Blackwell Trails Park
Located on Blackwell Road between Michigan and Modeland, is Blackwell trails. This is a 3km network of trails, that has a dog park and a playground, and there are two ponds throughout. These trails also attach to the Howard Watson Nature Trail, if you are looking to add on a little length to your walk.
These trails are open grassy areas, combined with some tree lined spots on the paths.
This is definitely a beautiful spot for a walk, but I would warn against ticks in the spring/early summer! I have found SEVERAL, in this area.
Wawansoh Wetlands Conservations Area
Wawanosh Wetlands Conservation Area is a more recent discovery of mine. Located on Blackwell Side Road near London Line, these trails are 2.5kms of tree lined paths. Memorial trees are planted here every year, and there have been over 6500 planted so far! There is a beautiful picnic area near a pond, and although I am not a birder, this is a great place for those who are. There is a creek that separates this conservation area from The Suncor Energy Foundation Nature Way. If you’re looking for a longer hike, there is a bridge that crosses over and you can walk those trails as well (another 1.5kms).
It is a wetland, so keep in mind that it can get very wet and muddy!
It is really easy to drive by, so keep your eye out for the white and blue conservation area sign at the end of the long driveway.
You can also access this trail from Modeland Road (just north of the 402) and go in through the Suncor Nature Way.
Art Teasell Wildlife Refuge
Located on Blackwell Road, east of Modeland, the Art Teasell Wildlife Refuge, is a short loop about a kilometer long. Although it is short, it’s a beautiful spot, that feels like you’re right outside of the city. As a lightly trafficked path, this spot provides quite a bit a seclusion – I have never actually seen anyone else on the path. I may regret posting this if more people find it!
If I were a child, this would be the best spot to build forts and play games - who am I kidding, I’d build a fort there today.
These are my suggestions so far, but I will keep posting as there are many more that I want to do! Please feel free to suggest ones that you enjoy!
Some other trails I want to try
Perch Creek Loop Trail
Lagon Loop and Grand Trunk Trail
If you like hiking, I also recommend downloading the app AllTrails. It will show you trails in whatever location you are in, all of the information about the trail, and it has reviews of people who have completed it.
That’s it my friends, until next week!