Easy hikes and walks around Winnipeg

The Journey to Churchill exhibit, one of the most popular in the zoo, is an immersive Arctic-themed habitat where visitors can explore tundra and coastal landscapes to learn about northern species like polar bears, muskoxen, snowy owls, caribou, and seals. In the “Sea Ice Passage,” tunnels let you watch polar bears and seals, separated only by a transparent barrier. The exhibit also features the Leatherdale International Polar Bear Conservation Centre, with interpretive displays on climate change, conservation research, and the rescue and rehabilitation of polar bears.

Assiniboine Park Zoo covers about 32 hectares of walkable space, with long, well-maintained paths that let you move easily between its naturalized habitats. For hikers, a high point of the zoo is Journey to Churchill, where viewing tunnels and outdoor walkways bring you close to polar bears, muskoxen, and other northern wildlife in spacious, open-air settings. The mix of forested routes, boardwalk sections, and quieter back paths makes it a surprisingly rewarding place for a slow, scenic wander within the city.

Once the site of an industrial plant, the Transcona Community Bio Reserve has been transformed into a lovely park with over 1.6 kilometres of crushed limestone trails and a thriving patch of Big Bluestem grass. In spring, frogs are active and vocal, and in summer, you’ll see plenty of wildflowers blooming along the trail, with butterflies and songbirds common throughout the park.

The Transcona Trail is a paved multi-use path popular with walkers, runners, and cyclists that follows alongside hydro corridors and the Central Manitoba rail line, bordered by chain-link fencing. The route winds through quiet residential neighbourhoods and open fields, with plenty of birdlife to spot along the way. Whether you're continuing your journey or pausing to explore, this junction offers a smooth transition into one of Winnipeg’s most accessible green corridors.

The Red River flows north from the United States into Manitoba, winding through Winnipeg before emptying into Lake Winnipeg. Its slow, meandering course has long shaped the region’s landscape and history, serving as a vital route for Indigenous peoples, fur traders, and early settlers. Today, its banks are lined with parks, trails, and neighbourhoods that celebrate the river’s enduring role in the heart of the prairie city.

Bunn’s Creek Centennial Park covers over 25 hectares of beautifully landscaped green space with flower gardens, a small playground, picnic sites, and access to the picturesque Bunn’s Creek Trail that runs west through the creek valley. Its riverside setting and quiet natural atmosphere make it a lovely spot for family outings and short walks along the water.

Bunn’s Creek Trail is a fantastic multi-use mixed gravel and paved pathway that follows the course of Bunn’s Creek through a lush, tree-lined corridor. The route passes through wetlands, forest groves, and open park spaces, with plenty of spots for birdwatching and taking in the peaceful scenery. In spring, the creek runs swiftly toward the Red River, adding a refreshing backdrop to this popular community trail.

The Bois-des-Esprits Trail follows a picturesque stretch of the Seine River through one of the city’s largest urban forests. The path winds beneath tall oaks and maples, past wetlands and meadows rich with wildlife. A highlight of the trail is “Woody,” the famous carved tree spirit that gives the forest its name, adding a touch of art and local character to the natural setting.