Fanshawe Conservation Area is a popular multi-use getaway on the outskirts of London, Ontario. The reservoir is the centre-piece, attracting rowing skulls, small sail and motor boats, canoes and kayaks. The feature 20 km trail is frequented by mountain bikers, runners and hikers. The trail is flat to rolling with punchy climbs interspersed. There are long straight-a-ways as well as many curved sections. The trail varies from single-track to double-track, and hard packed clay, soft needle, gravel and roots underfoot. There is also hardtop along three stretches of roadway. The vast majority of the trail is under the cover of a mixed wood forest. It is well marked by a hiker icon on a blue diamond. There are many off-shoots marked by black diamonds. Most offshoots soon rejoin the main trail.
There is one trail division that is not marked - between Emergency Response Stations 24 and 25 (sign image included here). A traveller is inclined to take the trail toward the reservoir but it is not the main trail. The inland trail is the correct and notably longer option.
Also of note is the black diamond option along Rebecca Road. It is a preferred choice for a trail lover but the roadway is the main trail. Rebecca Road is subject to heavy truck traffic from nearby quarries during the work week. Depending on your time of travel, this short section of roadway may require great caution.
https://www.fanshaweconservationarea.ca
Comments
For anyone interested in this route, feel free to use my gpx for an updated(fall of 2024) version. This gpx follows all of the blue blazes, the other main gpx for the route does not. The trail inland off Rebecca Road is blue blazed, so I believe that is the proper way to go. At times there are only blue hiker diamond markings, other times there are only blue blazes. It did not feel right to ignore the blue blazes and stick to a much easier road section that is further away from the lake. There are a couple other differences from my gpx and the one given, but once again mine follows the blue blazes. The other gpx was from 2020 so possibly there has been some changes to this route or the other gpx was not correct in the first place. I hope this makes things clear for others in the future. It is a beautiful trail!