Essex County’s section of the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is substantial part of the visionary County Wide Active Transportation System (CWATS). Over the next 15 years, CWATS will link seven local municipalities with an active transportation network spanning some 800 km. But you don’t have to wait to enjoy this incredible peninsula.
Located in the southern reaches of Ontario, Essex County has lovely weather, kilometres of flat quiet country roads and trails, farm land, award winning wineries, beaches, historic lakeside towns, forts and beautiful parks, and an Island as well. It is a great location for a 2-5 day get away.
Beginning in the north along the St. Clair River, the towns of Lakeshore and Tecumseh have grand waterfront parks that are community favourites: Lakeview Park in Lakeshore and Lakewood Park in Tecumseh have beaches, concession stands, playgrounds, washrooms and ample parking.
There are two conservation areas: Ruscom Shores CA and Tremblay Beach CA. Both are located in Lakeshore and they protect the last two marshes on Essex County’s north shoreline of Lake St. Clair. They are naturalized parks with trails and paths. Great place to see shore birds.
The Great Lakes Waterfront Trail continues through the City of Windsor and re-enters Essex County along the Detroit River travelling through the towns of:
Along the route, you will find numerous beaches beckoning you for a swim, lush farm fields selling goods, and excellent wineries, many with food service. In LaSalle you can entre onto the Herb Gray Parkway Trail for 17 km of dedicated path. Visit Amherstburg’s Fort Malden, waterfront parks and gardens, and enjoy a lunch on a patio. In Colchester, dip your toes in Lake Erie at the Colchester Beach near to their lovely Peace Garden. For a glimpse of our pioneering heritage visit John R. Homestead.
In Kingsville the Waterfront Trail joins the Chrysler Greenway for a short while. The Chrysler Greenway is a converted rail-trail with a crushed limestone surface, and along it you will find the restored Kingsville Train Station – now a delightful restaurant with patio seating.
Leamington has a bustling downtown area with shops, restaurants and places to stay. Just east of Leamington is Point Pelee National Park, a world-renowned birding destination and Canada’s most southernmost mainland point. The side trip to Point Pelee National Park to the southern most tip of Canada or the 42nd Parallel is about 20km and absolutely worth the visit.
Consider taking the 90 minute ferry ride to spend day or two in Pelee Island. For schedules contact Pelee Island Transportation Company (1-800-661-2220) or check the website at www.ontarioferries.com.
Check out our 2 to 4 day itinerary for Essex County
Trail Attributes
166 km in total (188 including Windsor)
Combination of County Roads, quiet beach or residential streets and dedicated paths.
Most of the County Roads used for the Trail have shoulders or are slated to get paved shoulders as part of the County-Wide Active Transportation Plan.
Dedicated off-road sections–Chrysler Greenway rail trail and Herb Gray Parkway Trail/Trans Canada Trail
Lakeview Drive and Charron Beach Rd back onto beach homes. Please slow down while using this route. There is a beautiful stretch of off-road path that stretches from Puce to St. Clair beach.
In Lakeshore there is a 4km (one-way) side trip into Lighthouse Cove that takes to a popular boating and fishing area and an historic lighthouse located at the mouth of the Thames River. There are a handful of restaurants and a variety store if you need provisions. The next town to the east is Pain Court (24 km) and Belle River (22 km) to the west.
Fabulous connections with Chrysler Greenway, Herb Gray Parkway Trail and Trans Canada Trail that make it easy to develop manageable loops.
Connections
The County of Essex lists a number of resources a comprehensive map showing trails and cycling facilities throughout the County. The County is implementing an ambitious 25-year vision to install 800 km of trails and cycling facilities throughout the County.
- www.cwats.ca/en/places-to-go/maps
- https://www.countyofessex.ca/en/discover-the-county/cwats-maps.aspx
Windsor Essex Pelee Tourism: Bicycle Map: https://visitwindsoressex.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/cyclemapv5.pdf
Essex Region Conservation Authority—Outdoor Recreation Map
Hon Herb Gray Parkway Trail/Trans Canada Trail — Map. 17 km multi-use trail extends from Malden Road (in Windsor) in the west to County Road 9 in LaSalle in the east with bridges and tunnels that allow pedestrians and cyclists to travel the length of the parkway without encountering vehicles. Rest areas and interpretive signs include information about the parkway, regional and cultural heritage, First Nation culture and history, and the special natural areas.
Trans Canada Trail connects with the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail in Lakeshore at County Rd 37 and Tecumseh Rd (County Rd 2). [Map 24]. Use TCT to travel to Leamington, about 30 km. East of County Rd 37, heading into Chatham-Kent, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail is also designated as part of the TCT.
Staging Areas
- Lighthouse Cove, 19308 Lakeside Drive, Tilbury, ON N0P 2L0 (Parking lot and boat launch at the foot of Lakeside Dr.)
- Tremblay Beach Conservation Area, 10065 St. Clair Rd, Lakeshore
- Ruscom Shores Conservation Area, end of Surf Club Rd, Deerbrook
- Lakeview Park West, Belle River, Lakeshore, 100 Lake Rd, Belle River, N0R 1A0. Just a short distance from the Belle River’s downtown.
- Lakewood Park, Tecumseh, 3451 Riverside Dr. E, ON N8N 2M8
- Kings Navy Yard Park, 268 Dalhousie St, Amherstburg, ON N9V 1W7 in Downtown Amherstburg
- Holiday Beach Conservation Area, 6952 50 County Road, Amherstburg, ON N0R 1G0
- Colchester Harbour Beach, 72 Sullivan Street, Town of Essex
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John R. Park Homestead Conservation Area, 915 Essex County Rd 50 Essex, ON N0R 1G0
- Cedar Beach Conservation Area, 1031 Heritage Rd, Kingsville, ON N9Y 2E6
- Lakeside Park, 315 Queen St, Kingsville, ON N9Y 1Y8
- Seacliff Park, 24 Seacliff Dr.West, Leamington, N8H 3X8
- Pelee Island Ferry Service, 3 Dock Rd, Kingsville, ON N9Y 1N6
- Erie South Municipal Parking lot, 90 Robson Rd, Leamington, ON N8H 3V4
- Leamington Municipal Marina, 90 Robson Rd, Leamington, ON N8H 3V4
Wineries serve as good staging areas and many offer picnic lunches as well as samples. Check out the Wineries on the North Shore.
Amenities
Transit
VIA Rail – National Passenger Rail service.
Bike racks are available on all trains equipped with baggage cars.
Helpful Links
Municipal Tourism Information
- Town of Lakeshore
www.lakeshore.ca - Town of Tecumseh
www.tecumseh.ca
- Town of Lasalle
www.town.lasalle.on.ca
- Town of Amherstburg
www.amherstburg.ca
- Municipality of Colchester and Harrow South
visitharrow.ca - Town of Essex
www.essex.ca - Town of Kingsville
www.kingsville.ca
- Town of Leamington
www.leamington.ca
- Essex County
www.countyofessex.on.ca
Regional Tourism Organization:
- Southwestern Ontario Tourism
www.ontariossouthwest.com
- Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island
www.tourismwindsoressex.com
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Other Tourism Information
Point Pelee National Park
www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/on/pelee/index.aspx
- Ontario By Bike has information about bike-friendly services and facilities in Windsor Essex County as well as trip ideas.
Protecting. Connecting. Celebrating. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
The Waterfront Regeneration Trust is a registered charity. Charitable Registration Number: 86767 9821 RR0001
