The most beautiful viewpoint in Riding Mountain National Park? Hike up Bald Hill.
Bald Hill is one of the most beautiful viewpoints in Riding Mountain National Park. Here you'll find all the information you need for the hike, including GPS data and tips for the tour.
The hike starts at the historic East Gate. The wooden gate, with its distinctive look, is reminiscent of a Western film set. It is the last remaining entrance gate from the 1930s.
As you climb "Bald Hill," it quickly becomes clear why it bears this name: not a single tree grows here. Like a bald head, the cluster of slate rock rises above the otherwise densely forested hills and offers a wonderful view across the park's forests to the flat plains of Manitoba.
Key Facts about the hike up Bald Hill
♡ Factor: ♡♡♡♡♡
Length: approx. 15 km
Duration: 4.5-5 hours
Difficulty : Medium
Highlight: Panoramic views over Riding Mountain National Park
My tip: Come from late September to early October when the autumn colors are in full bloom.
Hike up Bald Hill
The hike to Bald Hill is one of the longer tours in Riding Mountain National Park and is a good choice for those who want to cover a bit more distance.
My tip for fit hikers: If you haven't had enough, you can extend the hike via the Gorge Creek Trail into a loop. This increases the distance to approximately 23 kilometers and about seven hours of walking time.
The route begins at the car park by the historic East Gate. From there, the trail, which is only partially signposted, leads through the forest via wooden bridges, stairs, and boardwalks. It's best to download the GPS data from Outdooractive.
Along the way, beautiful views of the surrounding hills open up again and again.
The landscape is particularly impressive in autumn, when the birches and aspens turn yellow and the forests glow in the sun.
The real highlight, however, awaits at the end: From the bare summit of Bald Hill, the view stretches across the forests of the national park far down into the prairie.
For me, the view is one of the most beautiful in the entire park.
Click on the first image to start the photo gallery:
Brightly colored forests as far as the eye can see… …interrupted only by a few barren gravel fields The trail to Bald Hill leads through dense forest, ever upwards.
Safety instructions
Poison ivy grows in this area. Warning signs mark areas where the plant is particularly common.
Furthermore, black bears live in Riding Mountain National Park. Bear spray should therefore be part of your standard equipment.
equipment
For the hike I recommend:
Trail running shoes or hiking boots
sufficient water
Rain protection
Bear spray
Information about Riding Mountain National Park
General information can be found on the Travel Manitoba website .
Riding Mountain National Park : For more than 90 years, the oldest national park in the province has been an Eldorado for nature lovers.
Current information on the condition of the hiking trails can be found on the Parks Canada website .
There is an entrance fee for national parks in Canada.
If you're traveling for a longer period or plan to visit multiple national parks, the Parks Canada Discovery Pass is worthwhile . It's valid for one year at all Parks Canada facilities.
In Wasagaming, you'll find the Riding Mountain National Park Visitor Centre , a great place to get an initial overview. The friendly staff can give you excellent tips on hikes and other activities , and they also have detailed maps . In addition, the small museum showcases the local wildlife and provides information about the history of the First Nations and their close connection to the land.
The Wasagaming Campground includes the indigenous-run Turtle Village with tiny houses . The sanitary facilities are shared by the campground.
Arrival in Manitoba
Flights with a layover from Frankfurt to Winnipeg are available, for example, with Condor or Air Canada . An electronic travel document (eTA) is required for entry into Canada .
You can easily book a rental car at Winnipeg airport.
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