The best walks and hikes around North Middlesex

The Blue Trail is a nice extra loop to add on to your hike if you have a little extra time. It connects to the Red Trail around the halfway point and is about .6 kilometres along a mostly packed dirt trail.

The Red Trail is the main trail in the Coldstream Conservation Area. It runs about 1 kilometre and ends in a small loop, with access to an optional extra loop around the Blue Trail. There is a rest area/viewpoint about halfway through the trail with a bench where you can pause to enjoy the view.

The northeast access to Coldstream Conservation Area is located along Coldstream Road and has a small gravel parking lot with space for several vehicles, and trailhead with a map. There is access to the main Red Trail and an optional loop around the Blue Trail that extends the walk. There are no facilities on site, so plan ahead and bring enough water for your walk.

The riverbed at Rock Glen Conservation Area is famous for its Devonian-era fossils, dating back more than 350 million years, long before dinosaurs existed. At that time, this region was covered by a shallow tropical sea. As Rock Glen Falls and the Ausable River erode the surrounding rock layers, fossils are continually exposed along the creek bed. Visitors often spot remains of ancient marine life such as brachiopods, horn corals, and crinoid stems embedded in the limestone. Fossil collecting is allowed here, but only one fossil per person may be taken and digging or tools are not permitted.

The Rock Glen Conservation Area near Arkona is a day-use nature area set within the scenic Ausable River valley. The park features a network of trails, boardwalks, and stairways that lead through Carolinian forest and into a dramatic gorge carved by the river. You can explore several natural attractions within the park, including waterfalls, fossil-rich rock layers, and riverside viewpoints. Facilities include parking, washrooms, picnic areas, and the Arkona Lions Museum and Information Centre. A small admission fee is required to enter the conservation area.

Rock Glen Falls is the centerpiece of Rock Glen Conservation Area near Arkona. The Ausable River drops about 10 metres over layered limestone cliffs into a rocky basin below, creating one of the most impressive waterfalls in southwestern Ontario.

Mystery Creek is small and often hidden, but the quiet woodland waterway gently flows through the shaded forest corridor, offering pockets of calm and natural charm. Surrounded by lush greenery and mossy rocks, the shallow stream is a lovely spot for spending a few reflective minutes in nature.

The Ausable River Trail is a shaded path through southern Ontario’s Carolinian forest, with steep banks, tall trees, and quiet stretches along the river. The route includes some muddy sections and minor bushwhacking, especially near Mystery Falls, a secluded 5-metre waterfall tucked beneath an overhanging rock ledge just a few steps off the trail. It’s a relatively moderate trail with a few scrambly spots, so it’s best tackled with good footwear to enjoy exploring this beautiful area.