Please note that all group visits to and activities on a TTLT nature reserve must be approved by TTLT prior to the event. Please contact us to request a group visit.

Photos: Five Points Forest landscape (Daria Koscinski), Hawk Cliff Woods landscape (John St. Pierre), Joany's Woods boardwalk (David Wake), Meadowlily Nature Preserve bridge (Colin Johnson), Wardsville Woods landscape (John St. Pierre).

Five Points Forest - Driedger Tract

4975 Robinson Road RR4 Ingersoll, ON (click for Google Map and directions)

Five Points Forest Trail - approx 2.5 km

Walk through a range of habitats including meadow, young forest, mature forest, and a White Pine grove. The trail is easy difficulty and mostly flat although the terrain can be uneven and there are a couple of narrow stream crossings. Different loops mean shorter or longer hikes are available. QR codes along the trail link to a trail guide, or you can download the trail guide here. Click here for the trail map.

Parking - please park along the edge of the road adjacent to the meadow.

Hawk Cliff Woods

4435 Hawk Cliff Road, Union, ON (click for Google Map and directions)

North trail loop - approx 1 km

This is a short but beautiful trail loop through a young forest into a more mature forest. Expect to see species like Sugar Maple and Shagbark Hickory as well as ravine views. The trail is easy and flat, but expect a couple of very muddy spots during the spring and when there is wet weather. The trail entrance is about half way up Hawk Cliff Road on the west side of the road. Click here for the trail map.

South trail loop - approx 1 km

Although this trail is short, it takes you through several habitats including a small meadow, a Sumac and Dogwood thicket, and a forest. The trail is easy and mostly flat, but there are some inclines. The trail entrance is at the main gate.

Auzins Community Wildflower Garden

The garden is planted with all native wildflowers and grasses. It is named to recognize Karen and Eric Auzins, whose generosity helped to ensure that Hawk Cliff Woods would become a protected nature reserve. Visitors are welcome to collect seeds from the garden in the fall. Interpretive signage details each species and how to use it in gardening, as well as seed collecting instructions. The garden is wheelchair accessible from Spring to Fall (not maintained in winter). Access the garden via the parking area at the south end of Hawk Cliff Road.

Parking - parking is provided along the edge of Hawk Cliff Road.

Joany's Woods

32549 Boothill Road, Thedford, ON (click for Google Map and directions) and Vernon Road, Thedford, ON (click for Google Map and directions)

Ivey Trail - approx 5.1 km

The Ivey Trail is named in honour of Richard and Beryl Ivey to recognize their incredible generosity to TTLT over the years. The Ivey Trail is a loop accessed from the Vernon Road entrance of Joany's Woods. It takes you through a mixture of Carolinian Forest and plantation forests, and along the banks of the the Ausable River. The Ivey trail is a easy to medium level trail with some flat portions and some slopes, and is accessed via a steep hill. It also connects with the Inch Trail if you're looking for a longer hike.

Please note that the old Ivey trail between trail markers 6 and 11 is currently closed.

Inch Trail - approx 3.7 km

The Inch Trail is named in memory of Helen and Spencer Inch, whose legacy gift to TTLT helped to secure Joany's Woods as a protected nature reserve. The Inch Trail is a loop accessed from the Boothill Road entrance to Joany's Woods. Along this trail you can see varied habitats including woodlands, meadows, swamps, and conifer plantations. This is a medium difficulty trail with some steep sections. The Inch Trail connects with the Ivey Trail approximately half way around if you want a longer hike.

Parking - a small parking area is provided at the Boothill Road property entrance. Depending on the road conditions you may have to park at the intersection of Boothill Road and Elliot Drive and walk in. For the Vernon Road entrance, there is limited parking along the roadside at Vernon Road - please park close to Elginfield Road and walk in.

Click here for the Joany's Woods trail map.

Meadowlily Nature Preserve

17 Meadowlily Road South, London, ON (click for Google Map and directions)

Meadowlily Nature Preserve Trail - approx 320 m

Across the road from the Meadowlily Woods Trail, this short, easy trail takes you from Meadowlily Rd. South along the Thames River floodplain into a butterfly meadow. Click here for the Meadowlily Nature Preserve trail map.

Meadowlily Butterfly Meadow

TTLT is slowly restoring this area to native meadow by planting grasses and wildflowers each year with the help of local students. The meadow provides habitat and nectar for an impressive range of butterflies. Interpretive signage in the meadow shows some of the species that can be found there. Visit in July and August for the best chance of seeing these butterflies.

Parking - parking is provided by the City of London along the side of Meadowlily Road South.

Wardsville Woods

1632 Longwoods Road, Wardsville, ON (click for Google Map and directions)

Wardsville Woods Trail - approx 1.6 km

This trail loop takes you on a streamside walk through the edge of a Carolinian Forest and into a restored meadow habitat. Along the way you can see restored wetland habitats, a community wildflower garden, and butterfly meadow. This is a medium level trail with some hills and some areas with uneven terrain. Expect some muddy sections in spring and during wet weather. Click here for the Wardsville Woods trail map.

Ann White Butterfly Meadow

The meadow is named to recognize the generosity of Ann White, long time TTLT volunteer, supporter, and donor. The meadow is a restored former golf course that now contains a range of native wildflowers and grasses, providing excellent habitat for butterflies and other pollinators. Visit in July and August for the best chance of seeing butterflies.

Wardsville Woods Community Wildflower Garden

The garden is planted with all native wildflowers and grasses. Visitors are welcome to collect seeds from the garden in the fall. Interpretive signage details each species and how to use it in gardening, as well as seed collecting instructions. The garden is accessed via the main trail. Learn more about the garden here.

Parking - a small gravel parking lot is available at the property entrance on Longwoods Road.

Sitler Woods

Trail info coming soon!

Safety Information:

Before Hiking: Understand your fitness level and pick a trail that matches this level. Tell someone where you are going, when you expect to return, and what to do if you don’t return by an agreed time. Carry identification. Check weather conditions and reports before you start out. Stay on marked paths. When in doubt of trail conditions, turn around and head back the way you came slowly and calmly. Walk in daylight hours. Bring plenty of water and a nutritious snack, insect repellent with DEET, sunscreen SPF 30+, first aid kit with a whistle and flashlight.

Terrain: Trail may contain steep, uneven, slippery, or jagged terrain, or areas where solid footing is obscured by vegetation. Be sure to wear appropriate footwear. Hiking boots are ideal, but any closed-toe shoes with good ankle support and tread should be sufficient.

Inclement Weather: We recommend you check the forecast before you go out on the trails and avoid hiking in heavy rain, thunderstorms, high winds, and extreme hot or cold weather. Wear appropriate clothing for the weather, including layers and rain gear, and remember your sunscreen.

Biting and Stinging Insects: Depending on the time of year, you might come across mosquitoes, black flies, ticks, and other biting or stinging insects. Wearing light coloured, loose fitting clothing and using insect repellent and “bug jackets” can help. More info on ticks can be found below.

Poisonous or Stinging Plants: The most common poisonous plant you may encounter on the trails is Poison Ivy. Other potential stinging plants include Stinging Nettle and Giant Hogweed. Learn to identify these plants so you can avoid them. Stay on the marked trails and keep pets on a leash and on the trails. Try to avoid touching or brushing past vegetation.

Coyotes: If you encounter a coyote, make noise and wave your arms to scare it off. Do not run away. Keep dogs on a leash. Information on how to be safe around coyotes can be found here.

Ticks: Blacklegged ticks may carry Lyme disease and other diseases. It’s possible to find infected ticks almost anywhere in Ontario.  However, you can reduce the risk by taking the following precautions to prevent tick bites:

• Cover up with light-coloured clothing so it’s easier to see ticks. Wear closed-toed shoes, a long-sleeved shirt, long pants tucked into your socks, and consider special clothing designed to repel ticks.
• Use insect repellent that says “deet” or “icaridin” on it. Put it on your clothes and exposed skin. Always read the label for directions prior to use.
• When you get home, put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes before washing them. This should kill any ticks that might be on your clothing.
• After being outdoors, check yourself and your children for ticks. Look behind your knees, on your head, in your belly button, in your groin area, in your underarm area, and on the back of your body – use a mirror, or ask someone to check for you.
• It’s a good idea to have a shower as soon as you can to wash off any ticks.
• Check your pets for ticks and remove any ticks you find. Ask your veterinarian about options to help keep ticks off your pets.

More information about ticks and safety can be found here.

Tick Safety & Awareness Info Sheet (PDF):  English    Arabic    French    Spanish    Mandarin    Kurdish

Trail User’s Code:

Help keep these areas beautiful!

• Stay on marked trails.
• Packing out everything you bring in, including garbage.
• Do not pick flowers, crush plants, or strip bark from trees.
• Do not feed or harass wildlife.
• Pets must be kept on a leash at all times.
• Camping and fires of any kind are prohibited.
• Trails are for walking, hiking, or running. Bicycles and motorized vehicles are prohibited.