4 family-friendly biking trails in Manitoba

1. Pine Ridge Bicycle Trail, north of Winnipeg

Birds Hill Provincial Park, just north of Winnipeg, has lots of multi-use trails, but the Pine Ridge Bicycle Trail is just for cyclists. The paved, 7.2-kilometre path has several entry points, but if you start at the beach parking lots on the east side, you’ll be able to buy a snack and use the washrooms. The trail swoops around Kingfisher Lake and woods filled with trembling aspen. Bring your swimsuits for a dip in the lake! And good news for little anglers: The lake is stocked with rainbow and brown trout each spring.

Get riding: Birds Hill Provincial Park, Hwy 59 204-654-6730 $5 per vehicle gov.mb.ca>

2. Kildonan Park Golf Course Trail, Winnipeg

Follow a trail through the woods…to a gingerbread house? This easy crushed-limestone trail is only about one kilometre long (round trip). Turn west into Kildonan Park and follow Peguis Drive to get to the twisty path that leads to a round little house with a pointed roof and painted candy and cookie decorations (known locally as the Witch’s Hut, it’s open May to October from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m., closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays). Kildonan Park also has picnic shelters, an awesome playground, a duck pond, an outdoor swimming pool and public washrooms at Peguis Pavilion.

Get riding: Kildonan Park Golf Course, 2021 Main Street (at Highland Avenue) winnipegtrails.ca>

3. Ironwood Trail, Pinawa

Meandering west to east along the Winnipeg River in the attractive small town of Pinawa, the Ironwood Trail is a 3.5-kilometre section of the Trans Canada Trail. Named for the provincially rare ironwood trees along the route, this trail is flat, wide and even, with a playground, a beach, picnic tables and porta-potties along the way. There are also lots of interpretive signs to tell you about the wildlife of the area, and your little animal lovers have a good chance of seeing some wild deer—Pinawa is the Deer Capital of Manitoba.

Get hiking: Pinawa (you’ll find parking north of either end of the trail) 204-753-5172 Free pinawa.com>

4. Wasagaming Bike Trail, Wasagaming

If you’ve got an aspiring trail rider on your hands, head to Riding Mountain National Park. This vast, forested park in western Manitoba rises high above the prairie and is home to three ecosystems, meaning that it’s also home to an incredible array of wildlife and vegetation. The town of Wasagaming is right in the park, and the Wasagaming Bike Trail runs 5.5 kilometres northwest to Clear Lake, with the townsite and the campground on either side. You’ll be able to have a thrilling, bumpy ride and get some ice cream afterwards. Rated medium, it’s recommended by the park as perfect for mountain biking beginners. Ready to shred?

Get riding: Riding Mountain National Park, Hwy 10, Buffalo parking lot 204-848-7275 $19.60 per family pc.gc.ca>

Read more: 6 family-friendly biking trails in British Columbia> 4 family-friendly biking trails in Saskatchewan> 5 must-try biking trails in New Brunswick>