FITNESS
FITNESS IN PORT ELGIN
Get Ready to Get Active!
Port Elgin is the perfect place to get active. Dog parks, trails for walking, hiking or biking, beach side jogging, indoor and outdoors gyms and work out equipment, beach volleyball, tennis, water sports ... the list goes on and on.
Check out all the activites below to find something that gets you up and moving.
SAUGEEN RAIL TRAIL
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The Saugeen Rail Trail is a year round, multi-use trail that connects Southampton and Port Elgin, Ontario. Built on an old railway line the trail is easily accessed and used by visitors and residents alike.
A popular trip is to travel the entire trail by bike from Port Elgin to Southampton and loop back along the scenic North Shore Road where beautiful views of Lake Huron can be experienced.
Access: The trailhead is at River Street in Port Elgin, a few blocks north of the town and east of Hwy 21. There are several access points - some with parking some without.
The trail is maintained through a combination of volunteer labour, community funding and membership in the Saugeen RailTrail Association.
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NOTE: In the summer, a popular route is to bike the trail and loop back along the North Shore Road.
This route provides beautiful views of the Lake Huron shoreline. Length: 25 - 30 km with loops.
Difficulty: Easy. Surface: Hard-packed stone dust. Uses: Walking/hiking, cycling, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing.
No motorized vehicles are permitted.
CYCLING TRAILS
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Saugeen Shores offers many different trails for cycling.
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Saugeen Rail Trail has access points all over Saugeen Shores and is a well traveled former rail bed that stretches 8km from Port Elgin to Southampton.
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Two of the newest trails include the Gore Drain Trail that starts off at the corner of highway 21 south & Count Road 25 (CAW Road) and the Rotary Way Trail which connects to County Road 33 & McGregor Point Provincial Park. Both Trails connect to over 30km's of a "looped" trail system that connects Port Elgin, Saugeen Township and Southampton, all of which are part of the amalgamated Municipality of the Town of Saugeen Shores.
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By taking the Gore Drain to the Rotary Way, you can then enter into the MacGregor Point Provincial Park trails. MacGregor Park boasts the Deer Run bike trail and many other trails which allow cyclists to enjoy the great outdoors. Biener's Bush ski trails, accessed through Nodwell Park or Concession 10, offers challenging paths with hills, mud, sand, and log covered streams.
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Biener's Bush in Port Elgin ski trails, accessed through Nodwell Park or Concession 10, offers challenging paths with hills, mud, sand, and log covered streams to Southampton.
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Northshore Road and Miramichi Bay Road connects Port Elgin and Southampton and offers a picturesque ride along Lake Huron, with many twists and turns, and has a two lane trail/path parallel to the road.
SWIMMING IN LAKE HURON
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Enjoy the crystal blue waters of Lake Huron in front of Paradise Inn. The beach has easy gradual grade into the water for all those wanting to just dip their toes for that refreshing feeling.
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Please Note: The beaches in Saugeen Shores do not have life guards on duty. Please ensure that you watch children and those who are inexperienced swimmers while at the beach and swimming in Lake Huron.
CANOEING & KAYAKING
Port Elgin is an ideal destination to base any and all paddling adventures. With our harbour and calm bays it is an excellent paddling choice for lake paddling or on the Saugeen River.
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NOTE: You can paddle from Hanover to through Port Elgin and on to Southampton in three days. Although a fourth day allows time to explore the towns of Walkerton and Paisley or the conservation areas along the way.
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The Saugeen River Canoe Route: The Saugeen River empties into Lake Huron at Southampton. You can canoe this historic and picturesque river from Hanover, through Walkerton and Paisley then on to Southampton.
SAUGEEN SHORES ROTARY SKATE PARK
Home to 12,000 square feet of formed concrete; including ledges, curbs, rails, a quarter pipe with wall, an open bowl, pole jam, up gap and more!
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Wear your helmet when you try out this hot spot for bikers, boarders and bladers. The Park was designed by New Line Skateparks in association with van der Zalm and Associates, both from Vancouver BC. It's located on Wellington street, beside the BMX Track and the Police Station in Port Elgin.
BMX RACING TRACK
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BMX racing in Saugeen Shores is a full out sprint on a hard packed dirt track that is approximately 1000 gruelling feet long with massive jumps, turns and berms. From April to early October, weekly BMX races take place each Sunday afternoon at 1 pm at the track located behind the Saugeen Shores Community Complex in Port Elgin, and their club runs practices normally on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7 pm.
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The Saugeen Shores BMX Racing Club is proud to offer the use of a racing track and programs for all residents and visitors to the community. The Saugeen Shores BMX Racing Club is a non-profit incorporated organization started in 2001.
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It is affiliated to the Ontario Cycling Association. There are different levels of BMX racing including: Local, Provincial, Regional, National and World. Rules and regulations are enforced at the Club to ensure the safety of all riders and spectators. Anyone who would like to volunteer for the BMX Club in fundraising, working concessions during races or maintenance can do so by contacting Saugeen Shores BMX. Saugeen Shores BMX was the host of the 2005 Provincial Finals with 13 local Provincial Champions.
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Summer Camps are also available for the child that wants to see what BMX is all about. All types of riders welcome.
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Contact Brett Martin for information at 519-797-3200. For more information about the BMX Club visit the Saugeen Shores BMX website
LAKESHORE RECREATION
Check out the Class Schedule which includes Spin, Yoga, Lite Fit, Muscle Mania, Step and more.
Located on Highway 21 North in Port Elgin, this is a complete family fitness and event centre.
Lakeshore Recreation Centre was built in 1983 and is owned and operated by Gord and Ann MacKay. They are proud to have provided over 30 years of fitness and banquet facilities to the Saugeen Shores area.
TOPP PERFORMANCE
Whether you’re just starting out and unsure of how to train effectively, or you’ve been training for years but have hit a plateau, personal training from ToppPerformance is the key to taking your body to the next level.
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They provide customized personal training programs to get you to your next goal. Need to lose weight? Gain muscle? Increase stamina? We can help you achieve all of that and more. Our training pros have the knowledge and expertise to safely and effectively guide you, regardless of what your goals are.
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PORT ELGIN CURLING CLUB
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Curling has a long history in Port Elgin since 1903 when the original club was located on Goderich Street. The sport became very popular and the membership grew such that by 1975 expansion or relocation became a necessity. Members of the club arranged and managed the construction of the new facility at it's current location on Gustavus Street.
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The original club then folded and the new club has been in operation since that time. The PECC has always been membership owned and operated.