The best traffic-free bike rides around London

Greenway Park is a large green space along the Thames River that includes sports fields, playgrounds, picnic areas, and access to the Thames Valley Parkway and several other trails. It’s also one of the main access points to The Coves, with walking trails that lead into one of London’s most important natural reserves. Whether you’re visiting for recreation or a peaceful nature walk, this park is an excellent spot to use as a satellite base for exploring the area.

The Thames River winds through southwestern Ontario, flowing for approximately 260 kilometres from its headwaters near Woodstock to Lake St. Clair. It’s London’s defining waterway, flowing beautifully through the city and connecting many of its parks, trails, and natural areas. The river’s forested banks, wetlands, and floodplain habitats support a diverse range of wildlife and create an important green corridor within the urban landscape. As a designated Canadian Heritage River, it is recognized for both its ecological significance and its role in the history of southwestern Ontario.

Thames Valley Parkway is London’s primary multi-use trail system, following the Thames River and its branches through parks, woodlands, and beautiful riverside green spaces across the city. Spanning roughly 45 kilometres and connecting to more than 150 kilometres of additional pathways, it provides ample opportunities for walking, cycling, and running, with multiple access points. Despite its urban setting, most of the route offers beautiful river views, runs along mature forests, and provides access to some of London’s most notable parks and natural areas.

Pottersburg Park is a beautiful mix of open fields, wooded trails, and riverside green space nestled along the Thames River. The park’s easy walking paths are a great place to enjoy views of the river corridor, mature trees, and local wildlife within an otherwise urban setting. It’s also home to one of London’s largest off-leash dog areas, making it a popular spot for dog owners, so you’ll likely get a chance to meet a few furry friends while you’re here.

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.

London Bicycle Café, a turning point for casual riders who just want a nice and easy ride.