Thames Valley – Park Trail

Length – 5+8+8 = 21 km (one way)

90% park path
10% roads, crossing, detours

Elevation – Flat as it follows the river, with a few short hills.

Terrain – Mostly wide, paved path with some crushed stone and gravel.

Skill – Beginner; Intermediate for longer distances.

Traffic – Can be busy on weekends with typical path users, like walkers and bicyclists.

Maps – Maps are at trailheads, as well as signposts on the path.

Facilities – Plenty of parking and washrooms, as well as benches, picnic tables, restaurants, and hotels along the route.

Highlights – The Thames River, old bridges, the Storybook Gardens, a dam, a fountain, downtown London, and Western University.

Trail Fee – Free

Phone – 519 661 5575

Website – City of London

Similar Trails – Nokiiddaa, Ajax Waterfront, Humber River

Local Clubs – London Cycling Club

Access – Find parking lots at Ivey Park, Springbank Park, Greenway Park, Medway Park, and Pottersburg Park.

The Thames Valley Park trail network in downtown London, Ontario contains some of the best bicycle paths in the province.

This large city has well-maintained routes that head in three directions along the riverbank; expect 22 km of great cycling!

These city park paths offer a continuous variety of scenery by the water’s edge, over mainly paved and designated paths. The north and west branches have brief detours through quiet neighbourhood streets that connect to further trails.

All three paths branch out from downtown London near the Ivey Park fountain, where the rivers meet. You can start the ride on either side of the river, but the east side goes further.

Heading north 5 km brings you to Western University. Heading west 8 km along the south side of the Thames River leads to a dam and Storybook Gardens, a great destination for kids.

In the opposite direction, 8 km along the east branch, the river offers more pleasant parkland riding, with two road bridges you may cross to continue on your ride.

Add another 4 km if you leave the river path and head up to…

Read more of this review in my trail guidebook, plus 64 others. Featuring better maps, more parking locations and elevation graphs. Available as an eBook or paperback.