Hikes

While this hike isn’t listed among the “Starter Hikes” on the site, it is the next best thing. Rather than roads, there is a trail to follow, but the trail is always clear and easy to navigate. It’s a nice little jaunt to an intersection of trails in what will feel like the middle of nowhere.

This hike rates as “Expedition” for a reason: it’s just about 13 km and covers a good portion of the Ministik. It’s a convenient “2-Car” option though: the departure and destination trailhead are along the same country road.

This hike takes you through the heart of the Ministik, on all kinds of trails: some usually clear, some usually dodgy. After traversing a cutline, you’ll take part of the Waskahegan Trail, then make your way to the Nesbit Trail on your way to the Mandy Lake Parking spot

The majority of this hike is along the U of A Field Station Access Road, but instead of remaining on the road the entire time, it takes you on a short section of the Waskahegan Trail, loops through a small forested area, and returns to the road. This is a nice introduction to the quiet, understated beauty of this area.

This “2-Car” hike takes place exclusively on the Waskahegan Trail, the only trail in the Ministik that has trail markings and receives periodic maintenance. There are a couple of rough sections, and it’s relatively long at 13 km, earning it an “Expedition” rating on this site.

Like the “Five Meadows Loop”, this hike route takes you from the Waskahegan Trail through three “off-trail” hay meadows. But beware: the middle section of this hike may look like a sly shortcut compared to the “Five Meadows Loop,” but that shortcut is through perennially dodgy terrain where you’ll need to exercise your route-finding abilities.

Starting out on the U of A Access Road, and after transitioning to the Waskahegan Trail, this hike takes you to one of the few historical landmarks in the area: the Ministik Firetower. This is a “must-do” hike for someone with some Ministik hiking experience under their belt.

This “2-Car” epic hike starts out at the U of A Access Road gate, and traverses both the north and southern Ministik. The first half is on the Waskahegan Trail; the second takes you through some potentially tougher terrain until you reach the established Nesbit Trail. Be aware: this hike will require both stamina and wayfinding abilities and is intended for experienced hikers.

If the suggested “Starter” hikes look a little too tame for you, this hike takes you one step further by guiding you off-road, along the Waskahegan Trail, and then looping back through a hay field on your return to a road.

This hike takes you on seldom-travelled trails, and because of that, many can be overgrown and hard to follow at times. This hike isn’t one of the longest on the site, but it ranks as one of the more strenuous because of the number of obstacles you will need to navigate.