The best walks and hikes around London

Fanshawe Lake is the focal point of the conservation area, stretching through a broad valley surrounded by forests, wetlands, and walking trails. Created by the construction of Fanshawe Dam, the lake is now a popular spot for paddling, rowing, fishing, and wildlife watching. This section offers wide views across the water and a chance to appreciate just how much green space surrounds the lake despite its proximity to London.

Circling the entire Fanshawe Reservoir, the Fanshawe Lake Trail is a roughly twenty-kilometre loop that passes through mature forest, open meadows, shoreline sections, and a handful of creek crossings along the way. Built as a multi-use trail for both hiking and cycling, it offers a constantly changing mix of scenery rather than a single destination. The route follows the edge of the reservoir for much of its length, with regular views of the water and plenty of opportunities to spot wildlife in the surrounding wetlands and woodlands.

Monkey Wrench branches off the main Fanshawe Lake Trail and heads into a section designed with mountain bikers in mind. The trail includes a variety of technical features such as log rides, balance elements, and small obstacles that can be ridden or bypassed. Even from the junction, it's easy to spot the difference between the wider lake loop and this more purpose-built trail tucked into the forest.

This simple bridge over Medway Creek is an elevated view over the river, as its waters flow gently over rocky and shrubby shoreline. The creek is a tributary of the Thames River, flowing 38.5 kilometres until it reaches the North Thames River near Western University.

The Medway Valley Trail is the best way to explore London's Medway Valley. The trail stretches from the Sunningdale Road entrance, just past the Fanshawe Park Road overpass, to the banks of the creek. The trail itself is partly paved and partly hard packed dirt. Some of the highlights of the route are the handful of bridges that pass over the river, thick woods and open native prairie.

Storm Pond is an urban pond with a paved trail on its northern shore. There are a few trees around the small body of water, benches for viewing the pond and the green marshy banks.

Thames Valley Trail is a long-distance hiking trail stretching over 270 kilometres from the shores of Lake Erie to St. Marys in southwestern Ontario. Maintained by volunteers, it follows river valleys, farmland, forests and conservation areas, with sections passing through London along the Thames River. This section runs along the river closely and is a great way to spend time in a beautiful natural setting.

The Thames River flows through London, forming the scenic backbone of the city’s parklands and trail system. At the Forks of the Thames, its north and south branches meet before continuing west toward Lake St. Clair. Sections of the Thames Valley Loop and the broader Thames Valley trail network follow the riverbanks, linking riverside parks, natural areas and multi-use pathways along its course.