Sarnia Ontario sits where Lake Huron empties into the St.Clair River. With the expansion to Sarnia, the Great Lakes Waterfront Trail adds the third Great Lake to the Waterfront Trail. Thanks to decades of dedicated work by local champions such as the Bluewater Trails and Lambton Wildlife organization, people will enjoy a beautiful water’s edge cycling and/or walking experience, largely off-road within the heart of Sarnia and Point Edward. Travelling north from St Clair Township, the Sarnia Waterfront Trail begins at Lasalle Line and follows the River along paved shoulders and bike lanes on the St. Clair Parkway.
In Sarnia’s heritage downtown, there is a vibrant mix of restaurants, cafes, shops and a brand new nano brewery called the Refined Fool Brewery–all visible and easily accessible from the path, which leads you around Sarnia Harbour to the Point Lands in Centennial Park. From here the Trail continues in the Villlage of Point Edward on a multi-use path under the international Bluewater Bridge to the Waterfront Park-celebrated for having the best chip truck, fantastic views of the shipping and recreational activity on the River and Lake Huron.
Continuing east along Lake Huron, the Trail enters Canatara Park. Canatara, Objiwe for blue water, offers 200 acres of Carolinian forest, dunes and white sandy beaches. It is home to over 200 species of bird and 52 varities of trees.
Beyond the Canatara Park the Waterfront Trail continues on bike lanes and paved shoulders on Lakeshore Road, turning north on Brigden Road to continue on Old Lakeshore Road. Once again you are back at the water’s edge. Sarnia’s Waterfront Trail ends at Manaudmin Road but the Trail continues on HWY 7 into Plympton-Wyoming–though we strongly recommend getting onto the Howard Watson Nature Trail for a quieter ride or walk.
- Number of hotel accommodations on the Trail in Point Edward.
- Opportunity to experience cable wakeboarding at Boarder Pass
- Canatara Park– great beaches with all amenities (showers, picnic tables, washrooms, concessions, bike rentals) and the Lake Chipican Animal Farm
- Heritage downtown with loads of shops, places to eat, great events, and the new Alix Art Gallery
- Heritage plaque commemorating the explorer Lasalle, the Wreck of the Syndey E Smith and the Great Lakes among others.
- Fascinating views of freighters from around the globe.
- International crossing to the USA using the Bluewater Bridge (pedestrian and cycling not permitted on the bridge)
- Connection to the Bridge to Bay Trail, Port Huron, Michigan USA
- Connections to the 16 km Howard Watson Nature Trail signed as the Waterfront Trail east of Mandaumin Rd.
Trail Attributes
Sarnia and Point Edward Trail comprises:
Sarnia and Point Edward combined have 26 km of Waterfront Trail known as the Bluewater Trail
9 km of off-road trail with many amenities and attractions — perfect for families with young children
17 km of on-road trail using low-volume roads usually with shoulder or bike lane.
South of Churchill Ln, County Rd 33 is elevated to pass over railway tracks. The shoulders narrow and sometimes disappear along this 900 m section. Traffic can be heavy and fast moving. Be sure to stay on CR 33 instead of heading onto Sunset Ave, which dead ends. On the north side of the overpass, there is a bike path on the west side of the road to Churchill, after which there is a combination of paved shoulders, bike lanes and paths into downtown.
Protecting. Connecting. Celebrating. The Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River.
The Waterfront Regeneration Trust is a registered charity. Charitable Registration Number: 86767 9821 RR0001
