5 Great Manitoba Hikes
By Kristian Andres and Nicole Wotton
Our love for the great outdoors has led us to spend countless hours exploring, and we’ve been fortunate enough to see some amazing spots all around the world. Manitoba isn’t always at the top of the list for everyone’s outdoor adventures; however, Manitoba is absolutely underrated in its outdoor experience.
We started The Trails of ‘Toba to help show just how beautiful the Manitoba Trail experience can be, and how it’s even better when you share the experience with others. As a physician assistant (Kristian) and dentist (Nicole), our hope is that it inspires people to go outdoors and reap the physical and mental experience of being in nature!
Through Trails of ’Toba events, we have been able to get thousands of people active, volunteered hundreds of hours for local trail maintenance and have been able to donate more than $30,000 back to local volunteer trail organizations since 2020.
Here are five Manitoba trails we think everyone should know about:
1. Hanson’s Creek
A moderately challenging 7 km out-and-back trail on the rugged Canadian Shield. It’s part of the Centennial Trail, where you’ll find granite ridges and deep boggy areas. A notable feature is a red, arched bridge that was relocated from Winnipeg’s King’s Park to Hanson’s Creek. One of two bridges from the park, it had rounded slopes that were not suitable for barrier-free access. The bridge is right for the rugged nature of the trail, however, providing access to portions of the trail where the creek was difficult to cross, especially during high-water season.
📍 Whiteshell Provincial Park — Treaty No. 3
2. Turtle’s Back
A moderately challenging 6.5 km loop with stunning views from a tower. Follow the shores of William Lake, then through the tree-covered hills to climb the lookout tower. The trail begins in the park and crosses a pasture where you may see cattle.
📍 William Lake Provincial Park — Treaty No. 1
3. Copernicus Hill and Glad Lake
A moderately challenging 7.5 km route that gives us mountain vibes with towering trees and pristine lakes. Fun fact: Copernicus Hill is named for the Polish-born Nicolaus Copernicus, the founder of modern astronomy.
📍 Duck Mountain Provincial Park — Treaty No. 2
4. Brokenhead Wetland
An easy 2.6 km hike mostly on boardwalk, making it an excellent destination for people with kids! It’s located on a calcareous fen, a very rare type of peatland wetland in North America. Note that this is not a pet-friendly option, as the ecosystem is very fragile.
📍 Near Brokenhead Ojibway Nation — Treaty No. 1
5. Spirit Sands and Devil’s Punchbowl
A moderate to challenging 11 km hike through unique sand dunes, boardwalks, mixed-grass prairie and beautiful forest. The Devil’s Punchbowl is a unique crater-shaped lake near the Assiniboine. A Manitoba classic, this one can be HOT mid-summer, so plan accordingly with lots of water, a hat and sunscreen.
📍 Spruce Woods Provincial Park — Treaty No. 1
Keep up to date on the latest fire and travel restrictions, as well as any closures: Fire & Travel Restrictions. A reminder that Manitoba provincial parks offer free entry until March 31, 2026.
Learn more at Trails of ’Toba and these recommended sources:
New to the trails?
For anyone new to the trails, it is important to be properly prepared in order make the experience as safe and enjoyable as possible. Here are some things to remember before you hit the trails:
- Pick a trail appropriate to your fitness and experience level.
- Pack adequate nutrition and hydration.
- Let someone know where you are going.
- Bring appropriate clothing and footwear for the conditions.
- Hike in a group, with an experienced hiker if possible.
- Have a method of navigation map/compass or GPS device/phone with trail uploaded on it.
- Leave no trace — pack out what you pack in!