As the fresh blooms of spring arrive in the Forest City, London’s favorite hiking spots come alive with vibrant greens and colourful wildflowers, inviting hikers and strollers alike to embrace nature's seasonal revival.
Whether you’re wandering along the peaceful banks of the Thames River or exploring wooded paths surrounded by budding trees, each hike offers a perfect springtime escape from city life, making it the ideal season to reconnect with London’s beautiful outdoor spaces.
Fanshawe Conservation Area
The Fanshawe Conservation Area offers two hiking only trails, the Tamarack and Meadow trail. Combined, visitors can revel in 3.4 km of beautiful pathway, as well as take a walk down the 20 km Fanshawe Lake trail, which is open to both hikers and cyclists. No matter what trail you choose, they all offer spectacular views, aged trees and open meadows. Take pictures and leave only footprints. Be sure to check out the Upper Thames Conservation Area website for entry fees.
Kains Woods
Running alongside the Thames River, the Kains Woods trail offers beautiful views of not only the river but the valley as well. Follow either the yellow or white trail (this is the Thames Valley Trail) markers on trees or posts to help navigate your way. Located on the Northwest end of town, close to Byron, visitors could easily go for a hike or walk on the 5.8 km trail, before popping down to one of the local shops for a bite to eat. Keep in mind, trails can be somewhat challenging with several steep and muddy sections depending on the time of year.
Kilally Meadows
This network of paths on the northeast end of the city, running alongside the Thames River and Meander Creek, is a birdwatcher’s dream. With numerous neighbourhood access points along its 7.7 km loop, Kilally Meadows is an environmentally significant area (ESA), filled with a variety of springtime vegetation, perfect for a relaxing stroll or a family photo op. With its connections to the Thames Valley Parkway, visitors can also choose to go for a run or bike ride to enjoy the warming weather.
Lower Dingman
Another popular ESA, the Lower Dingman 1.6 km trail offers flat, easy terrain ideal for walking, hiking, nature trips, biking (only in multi-use paths) or fishing (with a provincial license). You’ll enjoy peaceful views of Dingman Creek as the area’s wildlife wakes up to spring.
Meadowlily Woods
If you’re looking for a true escape to nature, this ESA is sure to delight. A wonderous natural oasis, Meadowlily Woods features deep ravines, mature woodlands, sloping terrain, a mixture of wetland and upland forest species, various types of trees, a large variety of birds and is also home to the Meadowlily Nature Preserve, an open to the public property owned by Thames Talbot Land Trust.
Medway Valley Heritage Forest
Nestled in North London close to Western University, this wilderness area is a nature lovers dream, offering a beautiful escape from the city’s hustle and bustle thanks to its mixture of rustic walkways and established trails. Explore a wide arrangement of terrain in the Medway Valley Heritage Forest with floodplain forests, swamps, marshes and wooded valley slopes, all of which provide the perfect hideaway for wildlife. Those who are quiet enough may even be able to spot a white-tailed deer poking around the woods.
Sifton Bog
Tucked away in Oakridge, this small but beautiful bog offers a meandering boardwalk that leads to Redmond's Pond, a favourite among London locals. Visitors are inevitably surprised at how remote the area feels, despite being so close to a busy intersection. Ontario Trails claims, “one can experience in a 10-minute walk changes in vegetation that could normally take a journey of several hundred kilometres”. With turtles, birds and budding greenery all around, it’s almost impossible to take a bad photo at Sifton Bog.
The Coves
Just minutes from downtown London, The Coves is home to over 100 recorded animal species! Its 5 km of hiking trails showcase a delightful variety of dragonflies, damselflies, Green Frogs, Bullfrogs and 59 bird species, including Black-capped Chickadees and Northern Cardinals. It’s a must-visit hidden gem for both outdoor enthusiasts and birdwatchers!
Warbler Woods
A bird watcher's paradise – this area is a popular destination for avian enthusiasts and nature admirers alike. With a wide variety of species, from Indigo Bunting to Wood Thrush, and 1.8 kms of main trail – visitors can’t help but enjoy the sounds and sights of the forest here. Located near Byron, Warbler Woods features an abundance of diverse flowering plants and trees and a variety of wildlife. The terrain here can be quite hilly, so it’s sure to offer a great work out as well.
Westminster Ponds
Nature lovers and hiking fans don’t have to travel far to enjoy one of the largest publicly owned ESAs in London. Located south of Commissioners Road and east of Wellington Road, behind the Tourism London Welcome Centre, the Westminster Ponds extends across 200 hectares, with six major ponds, 11 km of managed trails and a variety of natural habitats – making it one of the Forest City’s most beloved outdoor spaces.
Whether you’re up for a leisurely stroll or a challenging trek, London’s spring trails are bursting with adventure, promoting physical health while connecting us all with nature. Breathe in some fresh air and soak up the blooming landscapes, we are known as the Forest City, after all! As you explore these beautiful natural spaces, be sure to share your best pics with us @TourismLondon and use #ExploreLdnOnt to be featured on our page. We love sharing your content!
