I think my love for Conservation Areas is pretty obvious by now. And although I love a good long distance road trip, life obligations keep me hanging around London most weekdays…and that’s when I seek out a new conservation area, or some little green space hidden away from suburbia.
Below are my favourite (so far!) all season locations around the London area for accessible walks. I’ve found that each one has something a little different to offer:
1. Lower Dingman ESA*
Lower Dingman is located out near Komoka Provincial Park and can be found at the end of a country road with a couple of houses dotted around. The road leading up to it wasn’t treated during winter so can get a little slippery.
This small, tucked away trail feels far removed from city life. An array of huge trees such as white pine, spruce, and black walnut line the fairly flat route. Although we visited in winter, some of the trees still have their leaves, adding to the mysteriousness of the area. There are some lovely views down onto the creek itself.
- Distance from downtown London: 13km (20 min drive)
- Highlight: extremely tall tree-lined twists and turns, where every corner feels different!
- Total trails: 1.6km
2. Sifton Bog ESA
With a name like Sifton Bog, you wonder how anyone would be enticed to visit here! Don’t be fooled though – this is a hidden gem, and one easily missed in London with its unassuming entrance off Oxford Street West. We visited at the end of summer and took the main boardwalk straight to Redmond’s Pond, in the middle of the floating acid peat bog. But there is also a trail to the left of the entrance if you want to go off track from the main boardwalk.
- Distance from downtown London: 7km (13 min drive)
- Highlight(s): the array of wildlife: green frogs, raccoons, chipmunks, and snakes! We saw lots of little garter snakes on the boardwalk and in the bog. The viewpoint as you walk towards the bog is beautiful.
- Total trails: 2.8km
3. Westminster Ponds Conservation Area
Westminster Ponds is known as the largest Environmentally Significant Area (ESA) of London. In the summer, long boardwalks through a mix of murky wetland and wooded trails give way to beautiful wildflowers, long rushes and grass, with wide open forest and trees at dizzying heights. It can get a little muddy in places – we had a stroller with us which got stuck a few times so my advice would be to take a carrier if you have babies or toddlers in tow.
- Distance from downtown London: 5.3km (9 min drive)
- Highlight: foliage ‘tunnels’ throughout the boardwalk, almost like a secret garden. Beautiful viewpoint about 1km to the left of the Wellington Road (Tourist Information Centre) entrance. The main boardwalk here looks out over Saunders Pond (the largest of the three ponds).
- Total trails: 11km
4. Coldstream Conservation Area
A beautiful wooded area with around 3km of trails, a rare cedar swamp, picnic areas, and a play park, about 18km away from north London.
In the winter, when cold enough, the water freezes and turns the river into an ice-skating delight!
- Distance from downtown London: 25km (30 min drive)
- Highlight: a great big open space, some nice old wooden bridges to walk over when you set out along the trail
- Total trails: ~3km
5. Fanshawe Conservation Area
This is one of the most stunning conservation areas around, with its huge lake, colossal dam, and meandering trails. I’ve ran it, walked it, and taken the girls trekking through some of it, and each time found a different way to enjoy it! Most recently, it’s been in the snow, and I was shocked by how different it looks.
- Distance from downtown London: 11km (18 min drive)
- Highlight: vistas out across the dam (where you may see people fishing below), stretching further than the eye can see with beautiful trees either side
- Total trails: 20km (for biking/hiking), 3.4km for hiking only
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