Whiteshell’s Mantario Trail reopens after wildfire restoration

A log bridge is pictured forming a portion of the Mantario Trail, which has reopened following extensive repairs. (Aaron Webb)

The Mantario Trail in Whiteshell Provincial Park has officially reopened following extensive restoration work after last year’s wildfires, the province announced Friday.

The 64-kilometre trail—which offers views across rugged granite ridges, lakes and forests of the Precambrian Shield—closed in May 2025 after a wildfire spread into the Mantario Wilderness Zone from Ontario, the province said in a news release.

A fall 2025 assessment informed the development of a restoration plan, and Manitoba Parks partnered with the South Whiteshell Trail Association to begin recovery work.

A team of 23 volunteers travelled 1,885 kilometres by foot and paddle to complete the restoration work, the province said. That work included clearing and brushing the entire trail and establishing a new 100-metre connector to the West Caribou Lake campsite.

Volunteers also cleared 10 campsites of hazardous trees, established 11 new helipads for emergency access, and cleared 10 portages totalling 8.85 kilometres. Crews also installed hundreds of new trail markers, repurposed fallen trees, and constructed a dozen log bridges.

“It has been truly inspiring to see these partnerships grow quickly and bring together dedicated volunteers who have a seemingly endless amount of energy to pursue this goal in a surprisingly short timeframe,” said Aaron Webb, a South Whiteshell Trail Association board member, in the release.

“We look forward to continuing to grow these relationships in the future to maintain stewardship of the trail and help it realize its full potential as a world-class backcountry hiking experience.”

Manitoba Parks is now planning further improvements, including enhanced campsite amenities, upgraded wayfinding signage, and updated mapping.

Hikers are also encouraged to register their trips using Manitoba Parks’ new online backcountry registration form, which will help locate trail users in the event of closures or emergencies.

Trip planning information, including maps and the backcountry registration form, is available on Manitoba Parks’ website.