Hiking.
The Tulip Tree Trail loops 1.2 km through some of the largest old-growth Carolinian forest in Canada — tulip tree, sassafras, and shagbark hickory canopy at Rondeau Provincial Park's interior. The 1.5 km Spicebush Trail picks up adjacent ground; for longer days, the 8 km South Point Trail runs flat along the Lake Erie south shore and the 8 km Harrison Trail is the longest single-direction route in the park's 7-trail / 30+ km network.
The brief.
Rondeau hiking is flat, well-marked, and heavy on interpretive payoff — the forest itself is the destination. The shorter Tulip Tree and Spicebush loops are family-friendly under an hour each; the South Point and Harrison trails run a half day at walking pace.
Wheatley Provincial Park's trails thread Carolinian creek bottoms around Boosey, Middle, and Two Creeks; the village's recent operational issues mean Ontario Parks is the live source of truth for current trail and campground access. Inside Chatham, Thames Grove Conservation Area at 34 Kingsway Drive carries a riverside walk under shade with picnic tables; the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority also maintains the Merlin and McGeachy Pond trails to the south.
April through October is the easiest window; year-round access at Rondeau and Thames Grove.
9. places.
- 01
Tulip Tree Trail (Rondeau)
1.2 km loop through old-growth Carolinian forest at the park's interior.
- 02
Spicebush Trail (Rondeau)
1.5 km loop, similar Carolinian forest character.
- 03
South Point Trail (Rondeau)
8 km flat trail along the Lake Erie south shore; multiple access points.
- 04
Harrison Trail (Rondeau)
Longest park trail, 8 km one-way (16 km round trip).
- 05
Wheatley Provincial Park trails
Carolinian creek-bottom walking around Boosey, Middle, and Two Creeks.
- 06
Thames Grove Conservation Area Trail
At 34 Kingsway Drive in Chatham; riverside walk with picnic shelter.
- 07
Merlin Conservation Area Trail
Short granular-surface trail through 2012 LTVCA-restored ground.
- 08
McGeachy Pond Conservation Area Trail
15 ha dike-and-observation-platform loop south of the Thames mouth.
- 09
C.M. Wilson and Two Creeks Conservation Areas
LTVCA-managed conservation-area trails.
Today's read.
Cold but firm — winter-ready conditions · light winds · clean air.