10 Best Mountain Biking Loops in Winnipeg That Trail Junkies Are Addicted To
In Winnipeg, there are two types of bikers—those who cruise the city streets and those who power through dirt and roots. And I’m not saying the mountain bikers are superior…but TBH, I’ve never heard of anyone bragging about their paved adventures.
That said, I’m so lucky to live in a city where I can hit wild, untamed trails at any time. I mean, there’s nothing like washing off the week’s tough grind by feeling the sweat drip down your forehead, and the air on your face as you breeze past scenic routes.
So, for hardcore MTB riders (and city bikers that want to convert!), here’s a foolproof guide to the very best mountain bike trails in Winnipeg.
Bison Butte
– Media credit: bisonbuttetrails
Website: https://www.fortwhyte.org/bison-butte-recreational-trails/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bisonbuttetrails/
Address: FortWhyte Alive
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact: (204) 989-8355
Located in the northern part of FortWhyte Alive, Bison Butte trails are *chef’s kiss*, an MTB lover’s dream. It’s so perfect, in fact, that it was actually the 2017 Canada Summer Games mountain biking competition venue.
A bonus is that if you use your MTB to go to FortWhyte Alive, admission is free!
Note that not all trails at Bison Butte are passable—you need to check the trails that are marked according to your skill or fitness level. Unmarked trails might contain hidden hazards, so steer clear of them.
Once you’ve chosen a marked trail, you need to follow all the rules posted, plus direction signs along the way. Also, wearing helmets here is a must.
| Pro Tip: If you just started to use MTBs, I recommend biking through the beginner trails first, then slowly work your way up. This gradual exposure will help you to tackle more advanced routes elsewhere later on. |
FortWhyte Alive
– Media credit: fortwhytealive
Website: https://www.tourismwinnipeg.com/things-to-do/attractions/fortwhyte-alive
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fortwhytealive/
Address: 1961 McCreary Rd
Hours: Mon – Sun: 9 AM – 5 PM
Contact: (204) 989-8355
FortWhyte Alive serves up beautiful nature scenes year round, making it one of the best hiking spots in Winnipeg. So, it’s no surprise that you’d find decent MTB trails here too.
If you’re not in the mood for Bison Butte, a solid alternative is the BDI and Elm Park Bridge Loop from Elmhurst—bonus points if you grab some BDI ice cream! Just a heads up, you’d need to dismount and walk your bike for a very short period.
Another option is the Saint James Loop, a smooth 12-mile adventure that all MTB biking levels can enjoy.
Both routes can also be enjoyed at night, just make sure to layer up due to the cold!
| Pro Tip: If you would like an easy ride with fewer crowds, hit FortWhyte Alive’s MTB trails early in the morning. Trust me, the sunrise views over the lake are unreal! |
La Barrière Park
– Media credit: jhincanada
Website: https://legacy.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/parks/la-barriere.stm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/la-barriere-park/
Address: 4403 Waverley St, La Salle
Hours: Mon – Sun: 8 AM – 9 PM
Contact: +1 877-311-4974
Sure, La Barrière Park is one of Winnipeg’s best fishing spots, but mountain bike enthusiasts also flock here all the time!
Located in southwest Winnipeg, this 84-hectare park is chock full of amazing cross-country and nature trails. No wonder it typically hosts the Velodonnas Cycling Club’s Velocross Race.
The park’s most popular MTB trail is the La Barrière Park Loop, an easy 2 km ride near Ritchot, which takes around 30 minutes to complete. The north part of the trail runs through a field that’s not quite fully cleared, but don’t worry, the south part’s much nicer.
For me, this leashed dog-friendly trail is best conquered from May through October. This is when the trails are mostly dry since flooding tends to drop.
| Pro Tip: Keep in mind that La Barriere Park’s trails can get sandy and loose in spots. You might want to slightly lower your tire pressure for an easier ride. |
Whittier Park
– Media credit: redpearlgirl
Website: https://legacy.winnipeg.ca/publicworks/parks/whittier.stm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/whittier-park/
Address: 836 Rue St Joseph
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact: +1 877-311-4974
If you’re up for a challenge, make sure to check out the trails at Whittier Park. They offer a mix of technical sections and small drops, which require intermediate MTB skills.
An example is the 3-km Whittier Park Loop, which could take you around 35 minutes to finish. This mountain bike trail is best traversed from May through September, and possible obstacles include homeless camps and a fence.
The Whittier River Trail Loop is a nice alternative, offering amazing river views. It crosses a bridge over the Seine River, and it follows the Seine and Red River through woody areas up to Fort Gibraltar.
Prepare yourself for short and steep climbs. On the bright side, you’ll be able to level up your uphill game and build leg strength as well.
| Pro Tip: Whittier Park can get quite busy with other rides or hikers, so we suggest hitting the trails early morning or evening if you want some well-deserved alone time. |
Bur Oak Trail
– Media credit: mr.mang.jose
Website: https://gov.mb.ca/sd/parks/park-maps-and-locations/central/birds.html
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/birds-hill-provincial-park/
Address: Oakbank
Hours: Mon – Sun: 7 AM – 11 PM
Contact: +1 204-654-6730
Located in Birds Hill Provincial Park, Bur Oak Trail is another favorite of local MTB junkies. It has everything—flowy sections, gravel paths, and moderate climbs.
This 6.8 km mountain bike trail has three sections: a paved path, a short off-road biking trail, and a longer more technical part. Expect long flat straightaways, twisty parts with exposed roots, mud, and sand, and a few drops here and there.
Be careful not to bang your handlebars against a tree, or catch a root the wrong way to avoid a nasty tumble.
Now, let’s say you get tired before the loop ends (no judgement, buddy—I’ve been there!). You could bypass the technical areas by taking one of the visible shortcuts along the way.
| Pro Tip: If you’re done conquering the Bur Oak Trail, you can either walk the paved pathway to cool off a bit, or you can drive to the nearby beach and enjoy the sunset! |
Kilcona Park
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Website: https://www.tourismwinnipeg.com/things-to-do/attractions/kilcona-park
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/explore/locations/280305778/kilcona-park/
Address: Off Lagimodiere Blvd
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact: [email protected]
For MTB riders who would love seeing adorable pups while riding, then hit Kilcona Park. This former landfill is now a beautiful park with ponds, walking paths, an off-leash dog park, and even an 18-hole golf course!
We recommend going for the Kilcona Park Loop, a 4.2-km trail that might take you 45 minutes to complete. It’s mostly located around a body of water, and you’ll also get to see gorgeous views of the park and tons of shaded trees.
Watch out for technical features like roots and rocks, as well as small hills.
During summer, you’d want to go here early in the morning or in the evening since it can get quite hot. In fact, the best time to ride here is from February through October.
| Pro Tip: Since this is a popular spot for those with dogs, be careful and slow down a bit when you see other people and their pups within the vicinity. |
Garbage Hill
– Media credit: lplimoso
Website: https://www.mhs.mb.ca/docs/sites/winnipegdump.shtml
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/garbage-hill/
Address: 1 Midland St
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact: +1 877-311-4974
If you want a short but fairly challenging MTB ride, then Westview Park—also known as Garbage Hill—is the spot for you. Word on the street is the track on the south end of the park is around 22 degrees, which is actually the steepest trail in the city.
As for the Garbage Hill Loop, most bikers (including me) typically begin at the Portage Avenue Church parking lot. It’s a pretty short ride at 1.9 km, so expect to finish at around 15 or so minutes.
You’d encounter steep climbs and fast descents, so this is definitely not for beginners. However, the views from the top of the hill are priceless.
April through September is the best time to conquer this loop. That’s because the trail’s going to be pretty dry and rideable, plus this period offers longer daytime hours.
| Pro Tip: Since this is only a 15-min ride, we suggest making a day of it by doing other fun activities. Go on a picnic if it’s daytime, or go stargazing at night! |
Grand Beach Provincial Park
– Media credit: redpearlgirl
Website: https://www.gov.mb.ca/sd/parks/park-maps-and-locations/central/grand.html
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grand-beach-manitoba/
Address: Grand Marais
Hours: Mon – Sun: Open 24 hours
Contact Details: (204) 945-6784
Located on one of the best beaches in Winnipeg, Grand Beach Provincial Park offers MTB trails that are not for the faint of heart.
As expected, you’d go on tons of sand, which might be somewhat unstable at times. The best time to ride here? Right after rain, which makes the sand more compact.
We do enjoy its mix of free flowing sections and steep climbs. However, watch out for the trail’s rocky sections (also called The Rock Gardens).
Advanced riders can probably power through, but for novices, we definitely recommend getting off and walking through these parts.
| Pro Tip: Since the trails are located within Grand Beach Provincial Park, make sure you get a Manitoba Provincial Park pass first. |
Assiniboine Forest
– Media credit: redpearlgirl
Website: https://legacy.winnipeg.ca/AssiniboineForest.stm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/assiniboine-forest/
Address: 2595 Roblin Blvd
Hours: Mon- Fri: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Contact: 311
Assiniboine Forest offers a mix of easy and challenging MTB trails, but what we love about this area is the gorgeous nature views you’ll encounter along the way.
Normally, we begin at the Assiniboine Conservatory Parking Lot, then head east down to Assiniboine Park Drive until we arrive at Assiniboine River Trails. Then, we ride west until we complete the trail above Assiniboine Zoo.
If you want to continue, go south on Assiniboine Park Drive until reaching the pond at Assiniboine Forest. You could then circle around until you arrive at the west side of the Tuxedo Golf Club.
Note that you’d need to cross the street twice along Roblin Blvd in order to go back to the parking lot, so be mindful of the traffic.
| Pro Tip: The best time to ride here is during the fall. You’d see breathtaking golden foliage, as well as wildlife sightings here and there. |
Kings Park
– Media credit: gwglenn58
Website: https://winnipeg.ca/publicworks/parks/kings.stm
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kings-park-winnipeg/
Address: 198 Kings Dr
Hours: Mon – Sun: 8 AM – 9 PM
Contact: 311
For a long but easy MTB adventure, try Kings Park Loop, located in its namesake park. It takes around 40 minutes from start to finish.
This 3.5-km beginner-friendly trail has a tolerable mix of paved paths and dirt sections. You’d also go through forested parts, riverside paths, open areas, and even adorable foot bridges.
Check out the labyrinth along the way. It has a circular maze that looks very cool, so you might want to whip out your phone cam.
Keep in mind that you could encounter a leashed dog or two around the area. We recommend slowing down a bit and being alert—bonus points if you use a bell!
| Pro Tip: Finished the Kings Park Loop but still looking for more? Check out the visible smaller trails along the area, and you’d be able to get easy climbs and quick descents. |