Meewasin Valley Trail

The Meewasin Valley Trail is the long riverside pathway that runs through Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, along both banks of the South Saskatchewan River. It is managed by the Meewasin Valley Authority, a conservation agency set up in 1979 to protect the river valley, and it forms the backbone of the city’s park system. In all, the trail network extends for more than a hundred kilometres, with paved sections in the busy central areas and gravel and natural-surface paths in the quieter parts. It is part of the Trans-Canada Trail, which links the city to a national network of routes.

The river is what makes Saskatoon distinctive, and the trail lets you follow it from many angles. In the downtown area the path runs beneath a series of bridges, which have earned Saskatoon the nickname City of Bridges, and passes through River Landing, a redeveloped waterfront with a cafe, a farmers’ market, gardens, a theatre and the Remai Modern art museum. Farther along, the trail passes Kinsmen Park, with its playground and rides, and Rotary Park, and it reaches the University of Saskatchewan campus, where the old stone buildings stand on the bank. Bessborough Gardens and the Delta Bessborough hotel lie along the route, and the old Nutana neighbourhood is on the east side.

Beyond the city centre, the character becomes quieter. The path winds through cottonwood groves, native prairie grass and riverside meadows, and signs identify trees, birds and the history of the place. Wildlife is part of the experience. Deer, beavers, coyotes and many birds, including pelicans, herons and bald eagles, use the river corridor, and the trail passes natural areas that are managed for conservation. Interpretive panels explain the Indigenous history of the valley, the fur trade, the Temperance Colony settlers of 1883 and the growth of the city.

Visitors can use the trail at all hours throughout the year, and there is no charge to use it. In summer, walkers, runners and cyclists crowd the paved sections, and canoes and kayaks glide on the water. In autumn, the river valley glows yellow with the leaves of the poplars and willows. In winter, parts of the trail are used for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing, and the snow-covered valley is quiet and beautiful. Access points are scattered through the city, and the Meewasin Authority, at 402 3rd Avenue South, can provide maps and trail information.

The trail suits all abilities, since most of the central sections are flat, and it is easy to choose a short stroll or a long ride. Allow an hour for a walk between River Landing and the university, or a half day on a bike. Bring water and sun protection in summer, and check the Meewasin website for any closures after floods or storms.