Fall is a great time of year to get some hiking in. With cooler weather and beautiful colours all around, you’re sure to have an incredible experience when you set out on an autumn hike.
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If you’re in the Winnipeg area, there are plenty of great places to explore. Here are 15 of them.
Bois-des-Esprits Forest/Seine River Greenway
Assiniboine Forest
Looking to get a taste of nature this autumn but don’t want to head too far out of the city?
Assiniboine Forest is a gorgeous forest located within city limits. Hit the trails here for a beautiful walk.
La Barriere Park
Want to head out on a short but still stunning hike this autumn? La Barriere Park has a 3km loop that’s quick and easy to do but will still provide you with some incredible sights. Pack your camera and your binoculars and keep an eye out for wildlife!
Oak Hammock Marsh
Oak Hammock Marsh, north of Winnipeg, is home to 30km of trails. It’s a great place to hike around in the summer, but in the fall, you’ll get to see a different kind of beauty as the landscape changes colour. Make sure you keep an eye out for the birds that call this park home.
On the Trail of the Buffalo Chase
In Grand Valley Provincial Park, the 1.5 km On the Trail of the Buffalo Chase follows a grassy loop through a reconstructed bison pound and an aspen-oak forest. Interpretive panels share the history of bison and the site’s long use as a trapping ground. The trail then climbs to a viewing tower with treetop views over the Assiniboine River Valley.
Karst Spring Trail
Set in Grass River Provincial Park, the 3.2 km Karst Spring Trail begins near Iskwasum Lake and winds through boreal forest. Its highlight is a scenic spring where water surges from a sedimentary rock cliff. Interpretive signs along the moderately strenuous trail explain the area’s distinctive geology.
Bunn’s Creek Centennial Park
You can find this beautiful park just off Henderson Highway. This quiet and beautiful park is home to a 3m trail. In the fall, it is a great place to appreciate the fall colours.
Grand Trunk Trail
This 10km trail runs through Headingly along an old railway bed. Just as beautiful and interesting to explore in the fall as it is in the summer, you’re going to want to check out this gorgeous hike. It’s also a great way to go on a longer hike without needing to leave the city.
Spruce Woods Provincial Park
Located about 2 hours from Winnipeg, there are plenty of trails to explore here, including the unique Spirit Sands and Devil’s Punchbowl trail. If you want to head out on this adventure when it’s a bit cooler outside, make sure you visit for an autumn hike.
Hunt Lake Trail
Located in the Whiteshell Provincial Park, the Hunt Lake Trail is a gorgeous and slightly challenging hike year-round. You’ll get seriously beautiful and unique views when you head here in the fall. It can get a bit wet this time of year, so make sure you bring sturdy boots.
Nopiming Provincial Park
This park is a two-and-a-half-hour drive away from Winnipeg. If you’re looking to get away for your autumn hike this year, this is the perfect place to visit. Enjoy the range of trails around the park—and you may even want to consider doing a little camping while you’re here.
Pinawa Trail
The Pinawa Dam Provincial Park is just an hour’s drive away from Winnipeg. You’ll love exploring this unique trail. Make sure you take some time to check out the old dam that gives this park its name.
Beaudry Provincial Park
This is another hike that will take you out of the city but won’t take hours to reach. At Beaudry Provincial Park, choose between Wild Grape or Elm Trail and meander along the Assiniboine River, enjoying beautiful fall colours.
Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park
Looking for a place to go hiking with varying challenge levels? This fall, you’ll want to think about visiting Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park. This park offers easy trails as well as some longer, more challenging ones for the experts out there.
Harte Hike
This is another great hike located in Winnipeg. Located in Charleswood, this is part of the Trans Canada Trail. With multiple access points within the city, if you’re looking for a fun but easy hike this fall, you’ll want to check out this trail.
Falcon Lake
This is another gorgeous hike located in Whiteshell Provincial Park. This trail is a great option for people of any challenge level, and you’ll love all the sights you can see while you’re here. In the fall, the entire park changes colour, offering visitors a truly stunning experience while they’re here.
Turtle’s Back Loop Trail
Located in William Lake Provincial Park, the Turtle’s Back Loop is a 6.9 km trail that winds through mixed forest and along the wooded shores of William Lake. Hikers can follow the route to a lookout tower, cross marshes and creeks, and take in scenic views of southwestern Manitoba along the way.
Top of the World Trail
This short 3.6 km trail in Whiteshell Provincial Park winds through the rugged terrain of the Canadian Shield. Along the way, hikers pass through a scenic forested landscape before climbing to the Falcon Lake Viewpoint, where sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness await.
McGillivray Falls Trail
Located in Whiteshell Provincial Park, the McGillivray Falls Self-guiding Trail offers a 2.8 km short loop or a 4.6 km route extending to McGillivray Lake. The trail passes through rugged Precambrian Shield terrain, with forests, rocky ridges, streams, bogs, and McGillivray Falls along the way. A viewpoint overlooks McGillivray Lake and the surrounding wetlands and forest. Hikers should expect several steep sections and slippery rock surfaces, particularly in wet conditions.
Dragon Fire Self-guiding Trail
For a short hike with rewarding views, the Dragon Fire Self-Guiding Trail near West Hawk Lake offers a scenic 1.1 km out-and-back route. The trail crosses rocky Canadian Shield terrain and includes several steep sections along the way. Interpretive signs explain the geology of the area and the meteorite impact associated with the formation of West Hawk Lake. The trail finishes with an impressive viewpoint overlooking West Hawk Lake and the surrounding landscape.
Sturgeon Creek Greenway Trail
Following Sturgeon Creek through Winnipeg, the Sturgeon Creek Greenway Trail stretches for about 4 km from Woodhaven Park to Saskatchewan Avenue. The pathway passes through areas that were once tall grass prairie and provides habitat for fish, birds, amphibians, mammals, and other wildlife. Along the route, visitors can see attractions such as Grant’s Old Mill, a fish ladder, a popular fishing hole, and remnants of native tall grass prairie. Much of the trail is surfaced with asphalt or crushed limestone, making it a pleasant route for walking and cycling.