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A hiking trail in Manitoba’s Whiteshell Provincial Park that closed and has been undergoing repairs after it was scorched in last year’s wildfires is now expected to reopen in June.
Manitoba Parks said in a social media post on Friday that crews have made “remarkable” progress in clearing and restoring the Mantario Trail over the last two weeks.
A wildfire that started in Ontario in May 2025 burned roughly half of the 63-kilometre point-to-point trail and damaged five out of 11 backcountry campsites, according to a bulletin issued by Manitoba Parks last month.
The province initially said the damage from the fire “presents safety concerns” in part because of the burned trees and it wasn’t sure if one of its most popular wilderness distance hikes would reopen this year.
Then the government said it intended to reopen the trail for at least the portion of the summer. Now, if weather conditions remain favourable, reopening is anticipated in late June according to a social media post from Manitoba Parks.
Nearly 60 km of trail have so far been cleared of deadfall, brush and overgrowth pruned. Hazardous trees have also been removed from three campsites and six portages were cleared, Manitoba Parks said.
Ahead of the reopening, the province said eight helipads have also been carved out near campsites. A report that documents the condition of the trail after the fire suggested establishing the landing areas to access the trail in the event of natural disasters or injured users.
Around 100 metres of a new connector trail to the campsite on the west side of Caribou Lake have been built. This was also recommended by the report.
In the coming weeks crews — which so far have included over 500 volunteers — will complete trail clearing and brushing, including the removal of dangerous trees at campsites.
The province said workers are also finishing the set up of another helipad.
New directional signage along the full length of the trail will also be installed and work is also underway to replace a bridge at Olive Lake and set up a new boardwalk south of the tower junction at a beaver dam crossing, Manitoba Parks said.
The Whiteshell Provincial Park is located about 120 kilometres east of Winnipeg.
