Walking, hiking and running are all great ways to keep fit and have some fun. These activities help strengthen your muscles and reduce the chance of preventable diseases and sports injuries.
Winnipeg is blessed with an abundance of great walking and hiking nature trails. Many of these trails are easily accessible and family-friendly.
6 Easily Accessible Walking Trails
Oak Hammock Marsh
Oak Hammock Marsh is one of the most popular attractions in Winnipeg. The area has a variety of interesting trails, and natural prairie wetlands, Oak Hammock Marsh has over 30km of unique walking and hiking trails.
With over 300 species of birds and sturdy boardwalks, Oak Hammock Marsh is the perfect getaway for the whole family and is located just 20km north of Winnipeg.
The Spirit Sands & Punch Bowl
One of the more interesting hiking areas in Manitoba, the Spirit Sands trail and Punch Bowl trail in the Spruce Woods National Park offers a unique and different experience located only a few hours outside of Winnipeg.
Both hikes together make up a combined 13km round trip and are often done as an overnight camping trip. The terrain and scenery offer a variety of unique experiences including sand dunes and winding rivers. The trails are well-maintained and family-friendly.
Bannock Point
This hike is one of the must-see attractions in Manitoba, located in the Whiteshell Provincial Park to the east of Winnipeg. The hike takes you through parts of the Canadian Shield and what’s thought to be an ancient spiritual site.
The trail is an easy and short 2.4km hike that takes you past performs, which are human-made rock formations made on the ground.
Mantario Trail
Are you ready to test your hiking skills and explore deep into the Canadian Shield? The Mantario trail is about as challenging as a hike around Winnipeg gets. Located in the Whiteshell Provincial Park, the Mantario trail is an epic 63km journey, taking you through granite outcrops, bodies of water, and pristine forested areas.
Most people take 3-4 days to complete this trail and enjoy the experience of getting out into the wilderness at only just over 100km away from Winnipeg.
Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park
With a seemingly endless variety of trails and to choose from, this provincial park truly has something for everyone. Ranging from a 1.5km Lighthouse Trail Hike, all the way up to the massive 22km Black Wolf Trail.
The province isn’t the only attraction in the area. Hecla Island is another must-see, with self-guided hiking trails and plenty of natural wonders to see and explore only 1.5 hours from Winnipeg.
Seine River Greenway
Can’t escape the city? Looking for a hike within city limits? Try the Seine River Greenway trek located in the beautiful Bois-des-Esprits Park. The trail is a short 3km that runs along the river and includes a plethora of wildlife. Look out for the multiple tree carvings along the way.
Whether going for a light stroll or an intense hike, exploring Winnipeg & Manitoba’s parks and trails is great for the mind, body, and soul. It’s important to remember before you do any type of exercise, you are warmed up, and stretching during and after you’ve finished.
Are you suffering from back pain, neck, hip, or other pain, preventing you from exploring some of these fantastic hiking trails? Schedule an appointment at Prairie Trail Physio today. We treat all kinds of people with a range of chronic and injury conditions to get you back to operating at peak performance.