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Pelee Island

You are here: Home / Community Profiles / Communities / Pelee Island

Pelee is perfect for sun-chasers and stargazers. With lots of Lake Erie shoreline to explore, this is the best of Big Sky and island living. The sunsets can take your breath away.

The Pelee Island Waterfront Trail is a 30km circular route, following close to the Lake Erie shoreline all around the Island. The route travels quiet country roads, through farmland, vineyards and natural areas, and has equal sections that are paved and unpaved. The Waterfront Trail also connects to the Islands’s Ecological Trail System, providing access to beaches, forests, sand dunes, marshes and alvars found nowhere else in Canada. It is a wonderful family-friendly week-end getaway!

Pelee Island is located 32 kilometres south of the Ontario mainland and is part of an archipelago of islands in the western Lake Erie basin. This location of Canada’s southernmost inhabited land area (the southernmost point in Canada is found on nearby Middle Island) creates an environment of unique plants and animals and is on major migratory bird and butterfly routes.

The Fish Point Nature Reserve and the Lighthouse Point Nature Reserve provides habitat for rare species including the Blue Racer Snake, Lake Erie Water Snake, Smallmouth Salamander and Spotted Turtle. In addition, 31 provincially rare and 19 regionally rare plant species are located in the reserves. Another unique feature is the Stone Road Alvar, a globally significant area, where you can find plant and animal life that occurs nowhere else in the world. The physical presence of limestone combined with a southerly climate has created a unique Canadian Savannah environment.

In addition to the natural heritage features, there are significant cultural heritage features including the Pelee Island Heritage Centre, the Pelee Island Lighthouse, Pelee Island Art Works, the Pelee Island Winery and local limestone architecture. Accommodations on the Island include bed and breakfasts, cottage rentals and camping.

The Pelee Island Waterfront Trail is open all year–accessible by ferry from Spring to late Fall, and by air during winter months. Spring and fall bird and butterfly migrations are favourite times to visit. There is an annual fall pheasant hunt on the Island occurring in part of October and November, when trail users should be cautious.

Pelee Island is a wonderful gateway to Sandusky, Ohio and the American coast of Lake Erie (check out Connecting Trails below for a suggested cycle tour created by Adventure Cyclist.)

Download Printable Map

Pelee Island

Trail Attributes

Distance: 30km

The Trail follows quiet country roads around the outside of the island. Some sections are unpaved.

Trail Tips:

The Pelee Island route map was recently updated with potable water, hiking, and several restaurants and shopping locations. There are two additional unsigned cycling loops on the island now included on the map: the 19km North Bay Loop and the 8.7km Fish Point Loop.

Do not miss the scenic hikes on the north and south of the island.

Local Maps and ConnectionsStaging AreasAmenities and TransitHelpful Links
  • Municipality of Pelee Island
  • Comfortech Bicycle Rentals and Retail Store West Dock – 1023 West Shore Road
  • Lake Erie Connector Route– Adventure Cyclist is an American member-based organization that has mapped over 40,000 km of cycling routes in the US. They have a added a number of bi-national and Canadian tours including the Lake Erie Connector route which takes cyclists through Sandusky Ohio and Ontario’s southwest.
  • Sandusky, Ohio bike routes by the Ferry docks – Ohio Bikeways

Staging Areas

Access to the Island is via a ferry service

Ferry service to Pelee Island is from Kingsville and Leamington Ontario (approximately 1 ½ hours), and from Sandusky Ohio (approximately 1 ¾ hours).

For schedules contact Pelee Island Transportation Company (1-800-661-2220) or check the website at www.ontarioferries.com.

Amenities

  • Accommodations, Campground
  • Accommodations, Roofed
  • Beaches
  • Groceries
  • Hospital
  • LCBO (Includes Breweries and Wineries)
  • Marinas
  • Museums
  • Outfitters
  • Restaurants
  • Shopping Areas
  • Tourist Information
  • Washrooms
  • WIFI
  • Winter Maintenance

Transit

Ferry service to Pelee Island is from Kingsville and Leamington Ontario (approximately 1 ½ hours), and from Sandusky Ohio (approximately 1 ¾ hours).

For schedules contact Pelee Island Transportation Company (1-800-661-2220) or check the website at www.ontarioferries.com.

Helpful Links

  • Municipality of Pelee Island
  • Discover Pelee Island –
  • Tourism Windsor Essex Pelee Island – Things to do and places to visit throughout the Pelee Island, Essex County and Windsor area.
  • County of Essex
  • Southwest Ontario Tourism – Great resource for all things to do in Southern Ontario
  • Ontario By Bike – itineraries, tours and bike friendly businesses throughout the Province of Ontario.

Protecting. Connecting. Celebrating. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.

The Waterfront Regeneration Trust is a registered charity. Charitable Registration Number: 86767 9821 RR0001
Ontario Trail of Distinction

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Waterfront Regeneration Trust

4195 Dundas St. West - Suite 327
Toronto, Ontario M8X 1Y4
(416) 943-8080
info@wrtrust.com

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