Photo Credit: www.chatham-kent.ca
With the development of key cross-regional signed routes, such as the (Great Lakes) Waterfront Trail (in both southern and northern sections) and over 200 km of the Trans Canada Trail in Chatham-Kent there is now more connectivity between trails and roads for cyclists across the region. Both trail systems are renowned attractions and are enjoyed by both residents and visitors alike as they offer scenic cycling along lakes and rivers and through picturesque rural landscapes.
There are also an increasing number of shorter trails suitable for recreational cyclists in the Chatham-Kent region, including trails along waterfronts, wetlands and in natural settings. Also great cycling experiences exist in provincial parks and conservation areas throughout the region.
With mountain biking trails accessible in the south western portion of the region, there is cycling for every type of cyclist. Chatham-Kent provides a number of information resources and published maps that cyclists can use to assist with planning cycling activities and routes in the region.
The Municipality of Chatham-Kent maintains over 70 km of recreational trails and pathways. Another 60 km of additional trails are located in Provincial Parks and Conservations Areas within the municipality.
- Rondeau Provincial Park – Located on a peninsula that juts out into Lake Erie, Rondeau Provincial Park is Ontario’s second oldest provincial park. This park features a trail network that consists of 3 trails open to cyclists. These trails travel through mature Carolinian forest, past 200 year old trees, and through a rare Oak Savanna.
- Marsh Trail – At over 7 km (one-way), the trail travels through extensive marshlands on an old gravel base roadway. Trail becomes rougher near the southern end.
- South Point Trail – Due to erosion, this looped trail is no longer accessible in its entirety. The east side of the trail is 1.5 km (one-way), while the west-side of the trail is 3 km (one way). Mixed paved and gravel surface.
- Harrison Trail – 8 km (one-way) gravel trail connects the northern portion of the park, south to the park visitor centre.
- CASO Trail – An 11km stone dust rail trail between Blenheim, Ridgetown and Duart, part of the Trans Canada Trail. A portable washroom is available from April to October at the entrance, Erie St. North Parking Lot and Kent Bridge Road Trail Entrance. Parking is located in front of each access gate or at the large parking lot across from South West Ag on Erie St. North
- Greenfield Global Trail – This 21km route includes paved shoulders and a 3km paved multi-use trail that exits Chatham traversing westerly along Grande River Line and loops back to Chatham after crossing the Thames River at Pain Court Line, just west of Chatham. The route forms a portion of the Trans Canada Trail in and out of Chatham. The loop is a top-rated route in Chatham-Kent as it offers a great, safe loop with scenic river views. Route found on the Chatham-Kent Cycling Map in Cycling Information Sources at the bottom of this page.
- Dresden Trillium Trail – A 6 km natural surface and off-road trail offers great connectivity between Dresden and Uncle Tom’s Cabin, a National Historic Site.
- Erieau – Marsh Trail – This 1.8 km gravel surface converted rail bed offers spectacular views of Rondeau Bay and was built on a dyke that separates the marshy Rondeau Bay from the agricultural land to the west.
- Erieau – Erie Shore Trail – This gravel surface trail runs along the shore of Lake Erie between McGeachy Pond Conservation Area and the community of Erieau.
- Keith McLean Conservation Lands– This 4 km compact soil / natural surface trail runs along agricultural fields, wetlands and a variety of other natural landscapes.
- Mitchell’s Bay – North/South Lakeshore Trails – At over 3 km, these trails are located on the eastern shore of Lake St. Clair and offer great views of the lake. An on-road connection required between South and North Lakeshore Trails. North-Trail, South-Trail
- MacDonald Park Trail– Explore over 2 km along this natural surfaced trail that circles in and around Robert Stewarts Wetlands. Washrooms facilities and access to fishing are available on this trail.
A number of on-road cycling routes, including routes with off-road trails, are listed below and shown on the 2021 Chatham-Kent Cycling Map. The map also shows road cycling infrastructure and surface type (paved/unpaved), and roads designated as parts of cycling routes so cyclists can follow safe cycling routes across the county.
- Greenfield Global Trail – This 21km route includes paved shoulders and a 3km paved multi-use trail that exits Chatham traversing westerly along Grande River Line and loops back to Chatham after crossing the Thames River at Pain Court Line, just west of Chatham. The route forms a portion of the Trans Canada Trail in and out of Chatham. The loop is a top-rated route in Chatham-Kent as it offers a great, safe loop with scenic river views.
- The St. Clair River Trail – located along the St. Clair Parkway. The road has endless opportunities for route options once you leave Chatham-Kent. St. Clair Parkway is home to the St. Clair River Trail, which connects through Walpole Island to the ferry and can connect to the Bridge to Bay Trail in Michigan, USA. The Trans Canada Trail and Great Lakes Waterfront Trail follow portions of this route.
- Two Creeks Conservation Area – Over 10 km of challenging mountain bike trails are available in the conservation area. Owned by the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, these trails are featured in a number of local mountain biking events. The trails are mostly natural, compact soil surfaces.
- Looping Through Lambton – This 3 or 4 day cycling itinerary offers great cycling along quiet rural roads as well as river and lake-side riding. Starting and ending in Sarnia, the route takes cyclists from Lambton County through Chatham-Kent between Wallaceburg and Dresden, before looping back to Sarnia. Enroute riders can stop at beaches, antique shops, interesting museums and National Historic Sites, live theatre, farmer’s markets and great local restaurants and cafés.
- Trans Canada Trail –
The TCT is a four-season, multi-use trail system with various surface types and users. This signed route is primarily on roads through Chatham-Kent and presents multiple route options for day or multi-day cycling trips.
- Over 215 km of this cross-Canada route runs through Chatham-Kent in both the southern and northern portions of the region. The main off-road portions through the county include the stone-dust surfaced 11km CASO Trail passing through Ridgetown. It also includes the 21km Greenfield Global Trail, a mostly on-road loop including a 3km paved off-road trail and paved shoulders that the TCT to Chatham along both sides of the Thames River.
- For more info visit: Trans Canada Trail website’s “Explore The Trail” feature to find access points: www.tctrail.ca/explore-the-trail
Great Lakes Waterfront Trail – Stretching over 3600km, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is a route connecting over 151 communities and First Nations along the Canadian shores of the Great Lakes: Lake Ontario, the St. Lawrence River, Lake Erie, Detroit River and Lake St Clair, Lake Huron, Georgian Bay and the North Channel. The fully signed Trail uses the safest infrastructure possible, a mix of both on-road and off-road facilities, and is primarily paved, with sections of unpaved path and gravel roads. It can be enjoyed for as part of a day trip or on a multi-day long distance cycling adventure.
- The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail traverses Chatham Kent from west of Wheatley eastwards to Clearville and can be used to access Rondeau Provincial Park on Lake Erie.
- For information and to access downloadable maps visit www.waterfronttrail.org
Chatham-Kent Cycling Map -2021 – The Chatham-Kent Cycling Map features cycling routes across the county, with the goal of connecting every community through cycling routes and active transportation infrastructure. The map shows on-road cycling routes and infrastructure, trails, and cross-regional cycling routes and trails including the Trans Canada Trail and Great Lakes Waterfront Trail.
Chatham-Kent Trails Map – 2015 – The Chatham-Kent Trails Map, features maps of 41 trails located across Chatham-Kent. Print copies available at local libraries, municipal service centres, and bike shops.
- Chatham-Kent Interactive Trails Map – A municipal online interactive web mapping application. This tool allows users to view trails and paths in communities throughout Chatham-Kent.
Rondeau Provincial Park Trail Map. – This trail map provides an overview of the park’s trail network and available facilities within the park.
Underground Railroad Bicycle Route. Printed map/guide. This historical route has been mapped and published by the Adventure Cycling Association. Visit website for information. See “UGRR Detroit ALT” route, which includes routing through North Buxton, Chatham and Dresden.
Great Lakes Waterfront Trail Map Book: Ontario’s Southwest Edition – . Available for purchase, this map book features over 30 detailed maps showing the Trail’s route, on or off road sections, parking, washrooms, landmarks, trail connections, waterfront parks, wetlands, beaches, marsh and forests, vineyards, farmland, museums and shopping areas.
Chatham-Kent Workshop Partners
