Field Trips

2026 Canadian Trail Summit Field Trips

Day One of the Canadian Trail Summit is devoted to Field Trips that take attendees out of the conference room and on to the trail. Following the Opening Ceremony, attendees will join one of five trips that will not only teach them valuable hands-on lessons, but also immerse them in local nature, history and culture.

Field Trips are included in registration fees for confirmed attendees but require a separate reservation. Field Trip selection will open May 4, 2026. Registered Summit attendees will receive an email with instructions on reserving a Field Trip spot.

Explore the options below!

Field Trip 1 | June 16, 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM

Walk Where the Rivers Meet: 6,000 Years at The Forks

Location: The Forks National Historic Site

Hosts: City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Trails Association, Parks Canada

Immerse yourself in local history and culture during this interpretive walk starting from The Forks National Historic Site, where the Red and Assiniboine Rivers meet and generations have gathered for over 6,000 years.

The Forks, one of Winnipeg’s most dynamic attractions, holds deep significance for its role as an iconic meeting place for the region’s Indigenous peoples and later tens of thousands of immigrants. Today, The Forks is a mixed-use gathering place in the heart of the city that integrates green space and recreation areas.

This walking tour will highlight some of Winnipeg’s cultural, historical and artistic destinations. Learn how this vibrant destination that welcomes over 4 million visitors annually, drives tourism and shapes local trails and public spaces.

Transportation: Round-trip bus ride from Delta Hotels Winnipeg included (approx. 10 minutes each way).

Physical activity: Walking (approx. 3 km)

Accessibility notes: Paved pathways

Field Trip 2 | June 16, 10:30 AM - 4:00 PM

Nature, Navigation and Stewardship at Birds Hill Provincial Park

Location: Birds Hill Provincial Park

Hosts: Trails Manitoba, Manitoba Parks

The rolling hills of Winnipeg’s Birds Hill Provincial Park provide a stunning backdrop for this guided hike and activities on the Cedar Bog Trail. Explore forests and prairie wildflowers as you reflect upon this natural environment and consider how people interact with it.

Featuring hills and ridges formed by ancient glaciers, this 35 sq. km provincial park features a lake, oak and aspen forests, native prairie wildflowers (including several species of rare orchids), deer, waterfowl and songbirds.

Spend the day hiking, geocaching, and navigating within this diverse landscape as you experience this living case study in responsible trail use.

Transportation: Round-trip bus ride from Delta Hotels Winnipeg included (approx. 40 minutes each way).

Physical activity: Hiking (approx. 3 km)

Accessibility notes: Unpaved surfaces, hills, motorized wheelchairs recommended

Field Trip 3 | June 16, 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

Cycle the City: Exploring Winnipeg’s Wonders by Bike

Location: The Forks National Historic Site

Hosts: City of Winnipeg, Winnipeg Trails Association, Parks Canada

The Forks National Historic Site – where the Assiniboine and Red Rivers meet, and the centre of Winnipeg’s rich history – is the starting point for this guided cycling tour.

The bike tour will provide a unique way to immerse yourself in the city, while learning about a wide range of trail infrastructure projects, including protected bike lanes, bicycle traffic signals, and neighbourhood greenways. Stops along the route will highlight challenges, key lessons learned, and takeaway strategies you can apply to your own community.

Experience some of Winnipeg’s most popular sites and how urban trails are helping shape the way locals and visitors experience the city.

Transportation: Round-trip bus ride from Delta Hotels Winnipeg included (approx. 10 minutes each way). Bicycles provided.

Physical activity: Cycling (12-km and 6-km options), walking (minimal)

Accessibility notes: Limited adaptive bicycles available on request, please contact us using our contact form.

Field Trip 4 | June 16, 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM

Into the Prairie Wild at FortWhyte Alive

Location + Host: FortWhyte Alive

From migratory birds to a resident bison herd, you are bound to spot an array of wildlife during this visit to FortWhyte Alive.

Join this four-kilometre guided trail walk to explore the prairie, aspen forest and lakes of Winnipeg’s remarkable 660-acre reclaimed urban green space. In addition to wildlife, you will experience interpretive attractions and gathering spaces, while learning from trail sector leaders working on projects related to water impacts, accessibility, water management and visitor readiness.

Celebrate sustainable construction and design as you discover edible plants, explore trails and connect with Indigenous knowledge in this dynamic outdoor landscape.

Transportation: Round-trip bus ride from Delta Hotels Winnipeg included (approx. 25 minutes each way).

Physical activity: Walking (approx. 4 km), standing and resting periods, paddling (optional)

Accessibility notes: Accessible with some uneven terrain. More accessibility information available from FortWhyte Alive.

Field Trip 5 | June 16, 12:30 PM - 4:30 PM

From Brown Field to Bike Park: Let’s Build an Urban Trail Park!

Location: Bison Butte Recreational Trails at FortWhyte Alive

Host: Manitoba Cycling Association

This immersive experience will give you a chance to learn and practice physical trail-building skills! During your visit to Bison Butte, you’ll work directly with the team transforming this legacy venue from the 2017 Canada Summer Games into an all-ages urban trail park.

Focused on mountain bike trails, feature design, and long-term planning and transformation, this field trip will explore techniques and best practices in trail design, construction and maintenance to ensure sustainable, climate-resilient trail systems and excellent trail experiences.

Get your hands dirty and learn how the dedicated team behind Bison Butte Recreational Trail is transitioning a high-level bike course to a natural community asset.

Special thanks to Canadian Trail Summit sponsor Scatliff + Miller + Murray for their support of this field trip.

Transportation: Round-trip bus ride from Delta Hotels Winnipeg included (approx. 25 minutes each way).

Physical activity: Hiking, hand tool use, trail building activities (supervised)

Accessibility notes: Not wheelchair accessible, no accessible washroom, limited shade

Detailed accessibility requirements will be collected during the Field Trip selection process. If you have any questions before signing up, don’t hesitate to contact us using our contact form.

Transportation for all Field Trips will depart from and return to the Delta Hotels Winnipeg. All participants will be required to sign in at the Delta.