DISTANCE (round-trip)
80 mi (130 km)
DIFFICULTY
TIME
7 days
SOLITUDE
Wandering Through Saskatchewan's Vast and Peaceful Boreal Forest
The longest and newest trail in Saskatchewan stretches for more than 130 km through forested lakelands in Meadow Lake Provincial Park. And very few people know about it.
This walk shows off the beauty of the the Boreal forest, a unique ecosystem between the frozen tundra in the north, the temperate rainforest in the west and the coniferous woodlands in the south.
You’ll wander through every type of boreal forest habitat there is, from black spruce to white spruce to jackpine and muskeg. Also along the way you will find yourself trekking across glacial formations, past lakes teeming with walleye and trout and along sandy beaches. The terrain is gentle with minimal elevation gains, the major challenge is the distance.
There are plenty of excellent campsites along the way, including a stunning one perched on a high cliff overlooking the river. With nine backcountry campsites and eight slightly more luxurious front country campsites to choose from, you will be able to camp at the level of “roughing it” you desire.
When to go
The best weather will be in the summer, but hiking this trail during the months of September and October is absolutely stunning due to the gorgeous fall colours in the vegetation.
Getting there
The trail begins at the western trail terminus of the Cold Lake Campground and the initial route takes you through the forest along the Cold River.
Know before you go
- You’ll need to register with Meadow Lake Provincial Park at least two weeks before walking the trail and you will receive guidance on current trail conditions and backcountry safety.
- With road access at several points along the trail, you can hike smaller sections if you don’t want to tackle all 130 km.
- There is a creek crossing at one point, so be prepared to wade across.
Cold Lake - By Georgialh - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Link
Gear Recommendations for this trail:
- This is bear country, so be prepared with bear spray, bear bells and bear-proof food storage solutions.
For more information:
- Check out the Tourism Saskatchewan website for more details.
- SaskHiker is a great resource for all things hiking & backpacking in the province of Saskatchewan.
