Group Hike at La Barrière Park
Only 15 minutes south of Winnipeg, La Barrière Park is a fantastic scenic escape not far from the city.
The expansive greenspace stretches across 323 acres with nature trails winding along the banks of the La Salle River. A beachfront boat launch makes it a great spot for kayaking and canoeing. The park is also a popular spot for cross-country skiing, disc golf, and cricket.
Register for the 11am Group Hike
Register for the 1:30pm Group Hike
Our 11:00am bilingual event is being offered in partnership with Sports en Français, an organization that contributes to the development of Manitoba’s Francophone community through sport and physical activity in French.
While French language skills are not required to participate, we welcome Francophones and Francophiles to join! For English speakers, it’s a great opportunity for you and your family to practice your French language skills.
The La Barrière Park Loop is a wonderful way to explore the park. At nearly 3 km, it will take around 60 minutes to complete. It’s a great hike for all skill levels—including beginners and families or anyone looking to enjoy a peaceful day outside the city.
Outdoor Fun: What to Expect on Your Group Hike
Sometimes we just want to have some fun and enjoy a friendly chat with a stranger.
Our (free!) group hikes are an easy way to get outside and explore Manitoba’s beautiful parks with other people.
CPAWS staff will share their love of nature on a relaxing hike along our favourite trails.
There won’t be any lectures along the way: when we stop for water and snack breaks we’ll keep the conversation casual and light.
If you’ve got questions we’ll do our best to answer them. However, we are not formally trained park interpreters. We encourage people seeking learning opportunities to check out our outdoor learning programming or try an interpretive event offered by Manitoba Parks.
Most hikes will take around two hours to complete and will be moderately challenging. Most will also be close enough to Winnipeg to make a pleasant day trip. Check out the event descriptions for more details.
How to get there
Set your GPS for La Barrière Park. The parking lot is at the entrance of the park.
Or follow these directions:
- Take the Trans-Canada Hwy/MB-100
- Turn onto Waverley St
- Continue on Waverley St until you reach the park (located at 4403 Waverley St)
Amenities
- There are bathrooms at the park open year-round
- Picnic shelters
What to Bring on Your Hike
- Check the weather forecast and dress appropriately! Pack a hat if it’s sunny, a raincoat if it’s going to get wet, and a sweater or jacket if it’s going to be windy or cold. Dress in layers so you can cool off or warm up as needed.
- Bring at least two bottles of water: you can leave one in your vehicle on a cool day; you’ll want both on the hike if it’s hot.
- Bug spray and sunscreen: you can apply in the parking lot so you don’t need to carry them on the hike.
- Comfortable, sturdy shoes are a must. You don’t need hiking boots. But sneakers are definitely a better choice than flip flops.
- Snacks are a great way to keep your energy up along the trail. Many trails don’t have restaurants or stores nearby so you may also want to pack a picnic lunch.
- Hand sanitizer (Most trails have outhouses, not modern toilets.)
- Any medication you may need (like your asthma inhaler or an EpiPen)
- A safety whistle and a basic first aid kit (not required, but a good idea any time you’re in the wilderness)
Weather & Cancellation Policy
We try not to let the weather stop us from getting outside. With the right gear you can have a great time in most weather conditions.
That being said, safety must always be our top priority. We can’t be outside in a thunderstorm and may need to cancel if roads are hazardous.
Weather forecasts are notoriously unreliable. While we will do our best to monitor and make good judgment calls, there will be times when we decide to cancel and the skies clear and other days when a storm or high winds pop up unexpectedly.
We’ll send out an e-mail alert the day before an event letting registrants know if there’s a good chance we need to cancel. We will check the forecast again a few hours before the event to determine if we can try to go ahead.
About the CPAWS Manitoba Nature Club
CPAWS Manitoba’s Nature Club is designed to help Manitobans get outside, make new friends and learn about the wonders of nature.
We’ve developed a wide range of programming and activities to help Manitobans of all ages and abilities enjoy the health and wellness benefits of nature.
Find out more at our website – www.cpawsmb.org – and be sure to subscribe to our events newsletter and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter so you don’t miss out on upcoming events.
Safety Protocols
CPAWS Manitoba takes the safety of all program participants seriously.
All CPAWS Manitoba staff members have cleared a criminal record and vulnerable sector background check with the Winnipeg Police Department.
All CPAWS Manitoba staff members voluntarily disclose that they have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. We adhere to all public health recommendations and guidelines.
CPAWS policy requires that at least one person leading programming that may involve children must be certified in first aid. This applies to staff or to volunteers.
This program is possible thanks to the generous support of The Winnipeg Foundation.