Photo Credit: Great Lakes Waterfront Trail / Martin Lortz
Head to Sarnia-Lambton in Ontario’s southwest to explore Ontario’s Blue Coast. Enjoy plenty of scenic waterfront riding along the St. Clair River and shores of Lake Huron as well as long stretches of quiet hinterland cruising through southern Ontario’s flat farmlands. In Sarnia & Lambton County:
- Ride the 35km St. Clair River Trail, on a mix of on-road paved shoulders and off-road trails, stretching from Port Lambton north along St. Clair River to LaSalle Line north of Corunna.
- Discover Sarnia, a waterfront city with an extensive trail system, perched on the narrows where Lake Huron begins its flow south to Lake Erie, with Michigan a close river crossing away.
- In Lambton County’s countryside, slow down to explore the rich local heritage in Dresden at Uncle Tom’s Cabin and the terminus of the Underground Railway
- Explore the historic towns of Petrolia and Oil Springs, riding by the still active rigs and the world’s first commercial oil wells.
- Discover the Pinery Provincial Park, with a beautiful beach and setting on Lake Huron and unique trails for biking.
Looping through Lambton – An Ontario’s Southwest’s multi-day cycling itinerary, this 166km (or 262km with optional route extension to Grand Bend) 3 to 4-day ride begins and ends in Sarnia taking riders on a scenic cycle along the St. Clair and Sydenham Rivers before cutting through the hinterlands of Lambton County towards the shores of Lake Huron.- Trees of Distinction Bicycle Tour – A 21km, self-guided tour of Sarnia mixes both on-road, as well as off-road multi-use paths. Starting at City Hall, cyclists can expect to spend 2 ½ hours riding this tour.
- Bluewater Trail System – Paved, multi-use path along Sarnia’s waterfront; from downtown Sarnia to Sarnia Bay. Also a network of on-road and off-road multi-use trails that link Howard Watson Nature Trail, the Waterfront Walkway and Canatara Park Trails.
- Howard Watson Nature Trail – A 16km, multi-use trail that runs through Sarnia before continuing east to the town of Camlachie. Access to Lake Huron at Telfer Side Road. The trail is gravel and compacted soil, suitable for hybrid/mountain bikes.
- Grand Bend Rotary Nature Trail – A 9km, off-road, multi-use trail (paved asphalt) connects the community of Grand Bend with Pinery Provincial Park along the Highway 21 corridor. This trail is suitable for all bikes.
- Savanna Bike Trail – 14km in length, the trail is entirely located in Pinery Provincial Park. The relatively flat paved asphalt surface is ideal for all bicycles and riders of all skill levels.
- St. Clair River Trail – This 35km trail mixes on-road (paved shoulders) and off-road facilities (paved asphalt), stretching from Port Lambton north along St. Clair River to LaSalle Line north of Corunna.
- AW Campbell Conservation Area – Approximately 300 acres with over 8km of trails available to cyclists and has 140 campsites, 2 washrooms (seasonal), laundry facilities and 20-acre reservoir open for canoeing.
- Marthaville Habitat Management Area – Located close to Petrolia, the trail is compact soil and offers multiple loops totalling 5km. The trails are multi-use; cyclists should be cautious of other users.
- Lambton County Regional Trails – Search from over 40 trails listed under ‘cycling’. Search trails by name or by trail usage. Covering Lambton County and connecting communities. Trails information.
- Trees of Distinction Bicycle Tour – A 21km, self-guided tour of Sarnia mixes both on-road, as well as off-road multi-use paths. Starting at City Hall, cyclists can expect to spend 2 ½ hours riding this tour.
- Oil Springs Trail Map – PDF map of the historic Oil Springs Trail.
- Lambton County Heritage Trails – Located less than 20km southwest of Grand Bend, this system offers trails of 3km, 5km & 6km in length. All trails are accessible from the Port Franks Community Centre.
- Canatara Park BMX Park – The Seaway Kiwanis BMX Track is located south of the Animal Farm in Canatara Park, Sarnia. The BMX track runs seasonally from April to October, weather permitting.
Great Lakes Waterfront Trail (Lake Erie) – 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.- Through Lambton County, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail follows the St. Clair River and Lake Huron from St. Clair Township through Sarnia to Lambton Shores and Grand Bend and The Pinery. The Trail uses a mix of on-road routing and off-road trails through the region. (Off road sections include portions of the St. Clair River Trail and Bluewater Trail System in Sarnia) There are two significant infrastructure gaps south of Grand Bend north of Sarnia.
Consider extending your cycling holiday by visiting some of these great cycling destinations also located in Southwest Ontario:
- City of London – Explore London, Ontario, a bike friendly city with more than 40km of paved riverside paths, and over 350km of bike lanes connecting its dynamic neighbourhoods. You could easily spend multiple day exploring the city by bike. Discover farmers’ markets, unique businesses and culinary delights all accessible by bike.
- Chatham Kent – There are a number of trails suitable for recreational cyclists in the Chatham-Kent region, including trails along waterfronts, wetlands and in natural settings. Road riding is also promenent along the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail and Lake Erie shoreline.
- Haldimand & Norfolk Counties – Haldimand and Norfolk Counties offer cyclists appealing on-road cycling routes and off-road trails, whether along the north shore of Lake Erie, following the Grand River or through agricultural communities.
- Windsor, Essex & Pelee Island – Surrounded on three sides by water, the warm humid weather is perfect for a long cycling season and Essex County has fantastic cycling destination in Ontario. Pelee Island is a popular tourist destination and its quiet back-country roads and excellent sightseeing are perfect for the recreational cyclist.
* Please note there are may be additional trails, routes, events and information resources for the region that may be of interest and useful to cyclists. Changes to the above links, listings and cycling routes may occur.
Sarnia-Lambton – Related Blogs:
The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail, Two Days at a Time
Planning a cycling adventure in Ontario is challenging in the best possible way. There are so many options to choose from – touring routes, bike packing adventures, mountain bike trails, gravel loops – so much to explore, so little time. The impressive Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is one route worthy of any cyclist’s bucket list.
Bluewater International Granfondo: The Story about a Community Living Well and Dying Well
It was December 2015, on a cold brisk morning, when a few cyclists gathered at a local cafe that the Bluewater International Granfondo (BIG) was born. The goal was simple; to get more people off the couch and active in our community; to promote exercise and comradery; to showcase the beauty of Sarnia-Lambton; and to hopefully raise money for palliative care. Within four years, BIG has had an impact far greater than anyone could have imagined.
Conquering Ontario’s Blue Coast by Bike
Less than three hours’ drive from Toronto, southwestern Ontario’s Blue Coast offers some of the best waterfront cycling in Ontario, with over 200 kilometres of waterfront to explore. Discover two internationally renowned Blue Flag beaches as well as awe-inspiring natural scenery, impressive local art, and sumptuous local food and drink.
5 Ways to Pedal Through History – Exploring Culture By Bike
In our 2014 Cycling in Ontario / Le velo en Ontario guide we featured a number of great cultural experiences that can be explored by bike. Here are 5 great ways to explore Ontario’s culture by bike!
Destination and Regional Partners:
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