The Best Places to Go Hiking in Manitoba

Rolling hills, dense boreal forests and vast wetlands meet the sparsely treed subarctic in the prairie province of Manitoba. Beyond spotting polar bears and playful belugas in the wild, Manitoba is home to diverse terrain and more than 100,000 lakes, with a pristine landscape fit for a range of outdoor adventures, like backcountry camping, fishing and paddling. Despite its relatively flat terrain, Manitoba’s vast spaces still offer plenty of worthwhile hiking opportunities to soak in its rugged beauty.

Riding Mountain National Park

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Located northwest of Winnipeg, Riding Mountain National Park is perhaps Manitoba’s most popular destination for year-round outdoor recreation. While the winter months bring cross-country skiers, the park’s many shimmering lakes and network of hiking trails see an influx of boaters, swimmers, fishers and kayakers in the summer months. Make one of the 427 sites at Wasagaming Campground your base for exploring the grasslands, boreal and deciduous forests that make up the park. Canoe on Lake Audy, fish on Clear Lake and visit the herd of 40 plains bison at the Lake Audy Bison Enclosure. Hike to Kinosao Lake via a well-maintained 7.2-kilometre loop trail that winds past aspen and pine trees and vibrant wildflowers. For a family-friendly hike, try the 1.4-kilometre Boreal Trail, where little ones can delight in spotting birds in the marsh.

Whiteshell Provincial Park

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This expansive park is home to rushing rivers, the rugged Precambrian Shield, thick boreal forests and hundreds of lakes, which serve as the ideal backdrop for outdoor pursuits. The trails beckon hikers with terrain that meanders through black spruce, balsam fir and aspen. The 3.4-kilometre roundtrip Top of the World Trail is a must when visiting Whiteshell Provincial Park. As the highest point in the area, the summit overlooks Falcon Lake. To see Pine Point Rapids, take the 5.4-kilometre loop, or opt for the longer 8.2-kilometre loop along the Whiteshell River that also takes you past Acorn and Viburnum Falls.

Northern Manitoba

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Characterized by pristine lakes, the unspoiled wilderness north of the 53rd parallel draws avid hikers, paddlers and anglers. Pisew Falls Provincial Park, 75 kilometres south of Thompson, is a must for outdoor adventurers visiting the region. From Pisew Falls, hit the 22-kilometre return trail through thick boreal forest to the 14-metre high Kwasitchewan Falls—Manitoba’s highest waterfall. Camp overnight at one of the backcountry sites for a more gentle-paced journey to the falls or conquer this in a single day for an epic adventure. Visit Wekusko Falls Provincial Park, two hours northeast of the Pas and east of Flin Flon, for a 2.1-kilometre out-and-back trail leading to two suspension bridges and stunning views of Wekusko Falls.

Churchill

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A 2.5-hour domestic flight or a roughly 48-hour train ride north from Winnipeg, this isolated destination just south of the Arctic Circle on Hudson Bay is a bit of a journey. But those who come to Churchill will be rewarded with wildlife sightings and surreal landscapes. Kayak along the estimated 57,000 beluga whales that make their way to Hudson Bay each summer, watch the northern lights dance in the sky and explore the landscape on leisurely hikes. Because Churchill is the polar bear capital of the world, it’s strongly suggested to explore the region with a guide, even outside of polar bear season. Join one of the many tour operators on a guided hike to the SS Ithaka shipwreck at low tide. Situated just outside Bird Cove, discover how this 80-metre-long steam freighter ran aground in 1960, during what was believed to be a windstorm. You can also joined a guided tour on a hike from Sloop Cove to Prince of Wales Fort. While making your way across secluded beaches and grassy knolls, discover how the cove served as a shelter for the wooden sailboats chartered by the Hudson’s Bay Company in the 1700s.

Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park

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Hecla-Grindstone Provincial Park is carpeted in coniferous forests, marshes and silica sand beaches. Outdoor adventurers can recreate on diverse terrain with approximately 60 kilometres of hiking trails. Head out on the Grassy Narrows Marsh Trail on the south end of Hecla Island. Connecting the island and the mainland, this channel teems with wildlife, like beavers, pelicans, herons, terns and even moose. While on Hecla Island, hike to the iconic 1926 Gull Harbour Lighthouse via a leisurely five-kilometre out-and-back trail along a narrow peninsula.