The official trail head is located in Port Elgin on River Street, a few blocks east of Highway 21. Parking is also available on Concession 10 east of Highway 21. The trail can be accessed at any intersection with a street, as well as a few specific locations.

The access points to the trail are as follows:

1. Concession 6 east of Highway 21
2. Louis Street south of the Saugeen District High School
3. River Street east of Highway 21
4. Concession 10 east of Highway 21
5. McNabb Street at Peel Street
6. Grosvenor Street at Peel Street
7. South Street west of Highway 21
8. East of the Plex

Take Highway 10 north to Highway 21.  Take Highway 21 (west) all the way up to Port Elgin.  If you want to start in Port Elgin, find the Port Elgin Cinemas on Goderich Street, at the north end of town, and turn east there on to River Street.  Go two blocks. On the left side in the second block you find the Saugeen Rail Trail trail head with an informational kiosk.

If you want to start in Saugeen Township take Highway 21 north from Port Elgin to Concession 10. Travel west to just behind the Bruce County Library for about a quarter of a mile.  You can park and then go either north or south on the Trail.

If you want to start in Southampton take Highway 21 to the south end of Southampton to McNabb Street (at the Beer Store). Perkins Park is across the road on the west side, and you can start there.

You also can access the trail at the Peel/Grosvenor St. parking area where you can view an attractive Saugeen Rail Trail welcome sign designed by GW Signs.  The Saugeen Rail Trail Memorial Garden is also in this area, where you can take a refreshing pause before continuing your trail journey.

You can also access the trail at the south end of Port Elgin at Concession 6. Turn east off Highway 21 at the lights. Travel about a half a mile to this gorgeous part of the trail that connects with MacGregor Point Provincial Park.

There are two available parking lots: the 6th Concession and at the Plex, as well as street parking at all intersecting junctions.

In 2012, a replica of the historical Port Elgin Train Station was built by SDSS teacher Bud Halpin’s Technical Construction students and the Town of Saugeen Shores.  Because of the Port Elgin Rotary Club’s generous financial support they received naming rights, becoming “The Port Elgin Rotary Club Accessible Trail Head.”

Thanks to many of our historical partners historian, J.C. Hemming, Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre-Archives, the Ambrose Zettler Family, Ken Thornburn, Elwood Thompson and

donors: Town of Saugeen Shores, Port Elgin Rotary, Dan Murawsky architect, teacher Bud Halpin and students of Saugeen District Secondary School, SRTA, Peter & Jill Gauthier owners of Port Elgin Home Hardware, Bruce Telecom, Chantry Island Chamb-etts, Super 8 Motel, South Port Horticulture, Ontario Power Generation, Martin’s Bicycle Shop, Jeff Ackert Construction, and many more.