Easy hikes and walks around West St. Paul

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.

The Witch’s Hut is a small, storybook-style structure tucked within Kildonan Park, inspired by the fairy tale Hansel and Gretel. Built in the 1970s, it features a crooked roofline, whimsical details, and a candy-like appearance that makes it a popular photo spot. Set among trees near the river, it adds a playful, unexpected element to the park’s otherwise open landscape.

Kildonan Park is a large riverside park located on the west bank of the Red River with expansive open lawns, beautiful mature trees, and meticulously landscaped areas, with gardens and walking paths that meander along the river’s edge. The mix of formal gardens and the natural riverbank creates a peaceful atmosphere, make it a lovely place to enjoy the sweeping views and ample space for a leisurely stroll.

From this quiet bend in the trail, the Red River flows steadily past, lined with trees and the urban skyline. It’s a peaceful place to pause and take in the contrast between nature and city before continuing along the path.

Lagimodière-Gaboury Heritage Park sits on land that was initially granted to Jean-Baptiste Lagimodière and his wife, Marie-Anne Gaboury, pioneering settlers whose family would include Métis leader Louis Riel. The park is part of a riverside greenway along the Seine and Red Rivers, with natural trails, interpretive signage, and peaceful viewpoints over the water. It celebrates early Francophone and Métis heritage, marking the site of St. Boniface’s first settlement and its foundational role in Manitoba history.

Fort Gibraltar is a replica of the 1809 North West Company trading post that once stood near the junction of the Red and Assiniboine rivers. Rebuilt in 1978 by the Festival du Voyageur, it serves as an interpretive site that illustrates Métis culture and the fur trade era. Today, the fort hosts educational programs and cultural events and plays a central role in the annual Festival du Voyageur.

Kilcona Park is one of Winnipeg’s most popular urban parks, with plenty of open space, wetland ponds surrounded by benches, and a network of multi-use trails in the city’s northeast. There are walking and cycling paths, sports fields, and the Harbour View Recreation Complex with mini golf, tennis, and pickleball courts. The park is a local favourite with dog owners thanks to its large off-leash area, making the park a hub for year round recreation and relaxation.

Kilcona Park’s trail network winds through open fields, wetlands, and tree-lined corridors, offering relatively easy walking, running, and cycling routes, perfect for a leisurely hike or family outing. The wide gravel and paved paths loop around several ponds and connect to the Harbour View Recreation Complex and the off-leash dog area. With gentle grades and beautiful open views across the park, the trails are an excellent way to enjoy spending time outdoors in nature.