Prepare for your trip: Tell someone where you are going and how long you plan to be out. Bring plenty of water, rubber boots and dry socks as well as a compass to lead the way.
Wildlife watch: Always be aware of your surroundings. We are entering homes and territory of the wildlife in our area so always stay alert. Make noise and back away fiving a big presence. The local Home Hardware has bear spray and bangers for sale and be sure to bring your bug spray.
Share the trail: Snowmobilers, ATVs and dogs off leash are frequent on our trails so keep aware and stay safe. Please respect the environment and keep our trails clean.
Cleared by local volunteers and students in a 1083-84 summer work program this trail is our most popular. Connecting with the Ravine Trail, which is used for school nature studies, paved and lit at night. Connects to Ravine trail, Irma Miron Trail, Scouts trail, Old Town Connector and part of the Trans Canada Trail.
Fossil Challenge: Our area was once an ancient seabed and today it is easy to find evidence of our under-water past. Find Devonian fossils formed 350 million years ago, like coral, brachiopods or Hom: A “Hom Devonian fossil” refers to an organism from the Devonian period, which existed 420 to 360 million years ago. These can be discovered along the riverbank which is accessible all along the trail.
Named after the beloved Hay River educator who built that trail, the Kiwanis Nature Trail is conveniently located close to the schools and homes. An easy walk in all seasons, stroll this trail in the late spring and summer for some gorgeous displays of color provided by wildflowers such as fireweed, twin flower, wild flax and wild rose, red clover and even alfalfa. Connects to Ravine Trail & Rotary Trail.
Originally an old road built when the airport runway was being developed, this trail was kept clear by AJ Schofield and the boy scouts, which is how the trail was named. This is a fun hike that boasts nice views of the West Channel with a few stands of large old growth trees and a fishing hole near the north end of the trail. Passing through the large, cleared field for the radar station, you can check out the airport from across the river and keep an eye out for the local Beavers working along the West channel. Connects to: Rotary Trail, Old Town Connector Trail & Lagoon Beach Trail.
Hole Clues: Pileated Woodpeckers excavate trees in the area, you will see indications by the large rectangular holes they make as they forage for ants, whereas Yellowbellied Sapsuckers make rows of small machine-like holes. Both birds are on this trail along with nests with eaglets lining the shores of the river, so bring your binoculars.
Get connected to the wilder side of the Great Slave Lake on Lagoon Beach! This pet friendly beach front territory invites you to enter the trail at the far end which will allow you to venture in either direction toward the West Channel or towards 6 Mile Creek. Your other option is to enter the path near the mouth of the West Channel on Lagoon Road and head up the beach past 2 Seasons & Castaways Cottages lake front campgrounds and continue all the way down the shoreline to 6 Mile Creek for a picnic. Don’t forget to put your feet in the water or go for a dip to decompress!
Aurora Viewing: This is hands down one of our best locations to see the Aurora Borealis, with unlimited lake access and accommodations right on the beaches of the Great Slave Lake, look no further. Dress warm and partake IN THE DANCE OF THE Northern Lights!
Walk the through the living history of the “Hub of the North” known for its important role in the northern transportation industry. During this walk you can experience the transportation sector of Hay River. Starting with the local Airport with the famous Buffalo Air DC-3 war planes loading up to deliver valuable necessities and freight to isolated communities in the north. Continuing down past Coast Guard headquarters and Marine Transportation Services (MTS) where the Western Arctic Marine Transportation Training Centre (WCMTC) is located, along with their shipping docks and synchro lift that services the Mackenzie River and Arctic Coasts. Connector Trails include Rotary Trail, Oxbow Trail and part of the Trans Canada Trail and part of the Trans Canada Trail.
Catch a Fish Challenge: There are great spots along this trail to dip your line in the water. You can try right below the bridge or off the bank at the MTS Marine Transportation yard across from our local public boat launch Porrit Landing. Test your luck in the Hay River or Great slave Lake to catch that giant Northern Pike, Trout, White Fish or delicious Walleye!
This is a great diverse nature trail to discover! Another continuation of the Trans Canada Trail FROM THE OLD-Town Connector to the lake, this trail system follows the syne know as backwater creek, which was once an escape route for spring floodwater until the Airport runway development cut off the flow. In the summer with water levels permitting access, you can canoe along the syne but be sure to bring rubber boots and bug spray. The nuts and bears geocache will lead you right to the 105th street entrance of this trail. (www.geocacheing.org)
Wild Tea Challenge: Labrador Tea: grows wild in marshy land, gathering in the spring and dry for delicious tea, White Spruce Tea: you would harvest young spruce tips and boil for soothing therapeutic tea. Rose Hip Tea: High in vitamin nutrients, you can boil rosehips fresh or dry for a medicinal tea chalked full of vitamins and minerals.
Hay River’s claim to fame our local beaches! Strolling along the shore will leave you speechless! Starting at the public beach which is now once again marshlands, that we were told by history would reappear again one day, as it is said that back in the day Hay River got its name from the plentiful hay-like grasses that grew at the mouth of the Hay River, as a result of the river’s periodic floods that nourished the land and deposited driftwood into the Great Slave Lake. The area was ideal for the growth of these abundant fields, which ultimately led to the naming of both the river and the settlement. Once you continue down the shoreline you will find driftwood treasures to collect along the way and check out the old fishing vessel shipwrecked on shore when it became un- seaworthy in 1972 just waiting to be explored! You will come upon the strange radar dishes which were apparently a part of the Mid-Canada Line” similar to the Dew Line build in the 50’s to pick up signals and noises on the water. The Pumphouse Shore Walk ends at Spruce Point (T’suehdaa) where the West Point First Nation (Ts’ueh Nda) is located. The band gained status in 1993 and is now home to over 70 members. Continuing south is West Channel village which was once the site of a thriving commercial fishing industry in the 1950’s with 8 fish plants in the area.
Berry Challenge: Collect some wild fruit: One of the main reasons for the trail walking in Hay River is that you can collect the 15 different kinds of edible berries in the area. A few sought-after berries are Saskatoon Berries, Raspberries, High & Low Bush Cranberries and wild Strawberries and Bear Berries on every trail. All these valuable berries are edible and have many vitamins and minerals to benefit the body.
This trail heads south from (Lagoon) Beach Road just west of Castaways Cottages & Campgrounds. Once it starts to wind west, you will go through some beautiful pine stands that are home to many porcupines.
Starting a the dunes just off lagoon Road. This is s a long loop you Could try skiing. A few generations have been dog sledding in this area – make sure you keep listening for teams and get out of their way when they need to pass by, because they will be moving and grooving.
Start just south of the cleared Radar field know locally as the Mexican hat. A beautiful straight trail until you hit the cutline and wind back up northeast through frozen swap you would never be able to explore otherwise.
The Sand Dunes not even on the map yet, are perfect but challenging trails for ATV’s and Snowmobiles through the boreal forest and some marsh lands if you are not careful! This trail is located just 650 meters up the road past the far entrance to the Lagoon Beach main access trail.
