Bois Des Esprits!
Stroll through one of Winnipeg’s hidden gems—a beautiful urban forest filled with captivating hand-carved wood sculptures, winding trails, and natural charm.
More than 20 tree carvings turn the trail into a treasure hunt, enchanting and mystifying adults and children alike.
The woods are filled with deer and birdsong. And there is no intimidatingly long drive or risk of getting lost!
Located along the Seine River in St. Vital, Bois des Esprits is big enough to feel like you’re in a forest and small enough that you can see your way out at any point.
Trail Highlights
-Average Time: 1 hour
-Type: Loop
-Difficulty: ⅕
-Picnic Area: Benches throughout the trail
Accessibility:
-Possibility of being stroller accessible
-Bathrooms: No (however close to other businesses that may have public bathrooms)
-Parking: Street parking only, or nearby business lot. No accessible parking.
-Bus Access: Yes!
-Dogs: must be leashed
History
Bois-des-Esprits ("Woods Where the Spirits Dwell") is the largest remaining riverbank forest in Winnipeg.
The 117-acre urban forest is packed with a variety of natural attractions: oaks and aspen forests, grasslands, and wetlands dotted with fuzzy cattails. Rolling hills and plenty of winding side paths enhance the experience.
Children and adventurous adults will enjoy climbing along the many fallen trees and exploring shelters made out of fallen limbs. The river becomes another well-loved pathway once it freezes over and is often dotted with homemade skating rinks.
The forest’s most popular attraction -- Woody-Mhitik, the 3-meter-tall tree spirit carved out of the remains of a 75-foot elm tree in 2004 by Walter Mirosh and Robert Leclair from Les Gens de Bois Woodcarving Club -- is sadly no more. It toppled over in August 2021.
Many tree spirits remain, carved out of dead trees throughout the forest. Keen eyes will also find carvings of an owl, chickadees, a dove, a heron and much more.
A map of the carvings and more information about Bois des Esprits is available from Save Our Seine.
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