Group Hike at Pinawa Suspension Bridge

The Pinawa suspension bridge brings out the child in just about anyone as it bounces freely under your step. Rising 13 ft above the water, it offers an incredible viewpoint for enjoying the colours of fall.

Register for the 11am morning event

Register for the 1:30pm afternoon event

The trail on the other side is well worth the trip: It’s along the farthest western reach of the Canadian Shield with plenty of preCambrian rock to climb but a gentler slope than you’ll find in the Whiteshell. It meanders past lakes, a wetland, and inspiring views of the river below. In summer you can see tubers, kayaks, and canoes speeding along the water.

Part of the Great Canadian Trail, this hike can be as long or short as you want it to be. A typical hike would be from the bridge to the old dam, about 5 km there and back. There are several side trails and mini loops along the way so take a moment to pause at junctions to make sure you’re going the right way.

Register for the 11am morning event

Register for the 1:30pm afternoon event

We’ll be starting our hike at the suspension bridge and trekking 2.5 km in and out again. It should take us about 90 minutes. It’s a great hike for families, people who are new to hiking, and experienced outdoorsy types looking for an easy but rewarding trek in the woods.

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 the Pinawa’s Suspension Bridge
• Park in the large parking lot
• Look for CPAWS staffer Riley Martin at the picnic tables near the trailhead.

Or follow these directions:

• Take Provincial Trunk Hwy 59 N/MB-59 N toward Grand Beach
• Merge onto Provincial Trunk Hwy 44 E/MB-44 E via the ramp to Beausejour
• Turn right to stay on Provincial Trunk Hwy 44 E/MB-44 E
• Turn left onto Provincial Trunk Hwy 44 E (signs for Vivian)
• Turn left onto MB-11 N (signs for Lac Du Bonnet)
• Turn right onto MB-211 E (signs for Pinawa)
• Turn left at Dorchester Ave
• Drive to the end of the road and park in the lot across from the cemetery
• Look for CPAWS staffer Riley Martin at the picnic tables near the trailhead

Amenities

• There’s an outhouse at the trailhead.
• There are some great restaurants nearby in the town of Pinawa, including the Pinawa Golf Club Restaurant.
• There is a gas station and a Tim Horton’s drive-thru in Beausejour.

What to Bring on Your Hike

• It’s going to be a bit chilly, so layers are your best friend. Hiking is good exercise. You don’t want to get sweaty while you’re moving and then catch a chill when you stop. So be aware of your body temperature and take layers off — or pile them on — as needed.
• Bring at least two bottles of water: you can leave one in your vehicle on a short hike; you’ll want both on a long hike.
• 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 antihistamines, your asthma inhaler, or an EpiPen)
• A safety whistle, pocket flashlight, 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 CPAWS Manitoba:

CPAWS Manitoba has been instrumental in establishing 22 new parks and protected areas in our province. That’s an area larger than Lake Winnipeg at nearly 26,000 square kilometres. Our goal is to protect half of Manitoba’s lands and waters.

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.