Ashlyn’s Trans Canada Trail: A Guide to Cycling from Pinawa to Seven Sisters

Written by Ashlyn George 

Is this one of the best bike rides in Manitoba? It’s one that left me thinking about it, months later. Likely because of the many discoveries along the way as well as everything there is to do in the area. 

Leaving the small community of Pinawa in Eastern Manitoba, this western half of the Pinawa Trail winds 15 kilometres one-way along the Trans Canada Trail. The route hugs the shoreline of the Winnipeg River, meanders through the Whiteshell Forest and opens up onto an abandoned grid road. The payoff is a front-row view of the Seven Sisters Generating Station, where you can ride across and peer over the railing to watch the Winnipeg River spill over onto Precambrian Shield.  

Need to Know 

• Distance: 30 kilometres, round-trip 

• Duration: 4–5 hours, depending on stops 

• Difficulty: Intermediate. The path remains smooth, flat, and easy to navigate, making the terrain beginner-friendly, though the distance makes this best suited to confident riders. 

• Start/End: Paid parking lot near Pinawa Motel and Pinawa Heritage Sundial 

• Bike Rentals: Pinawa Motel offers 56-inch mountain bikes for adults and kids’ bikes, with hourly and daily rates. 

• Highlights: Ironwood Interpretive Trail, Seven Sisters Generating Station, Whitemouth Falls Provincial Park, town of Seven Sisters 

• Services: There are no services until you reach Seven Sisters. Pack lots of water and snacks, and do not leave your bear spray behind. Wildlife is active on the trail.  

Photo credit: Ashlyn George

Following the Ironwood Trail 

This ride starts in Pinawa’s town centre near the Pinawa Motel and Heritage Sundial. There are washrooms with running water and an electric car charging station here. It is a paid parking lot, but the fee supports the community and the upkeep of the nearby facilities and trails.  

Crossing Willis Drive, you’ll come to a large wooden sign declaring an access point to  the town’s self-guided Ironwood Trail. This doubles as the Pinawa Trail — a narrow crusher-dust path that runs along the shoreline for walkers, joggers and cyclists. You’ll spot stands of the Ironwood tree here, which is more shrublike, as they are close to their northwestern range limit. Cedar benches, picnic tables and covered pergolas appear periodically while brightly coloured hand-painted rocks line the trail in sections, and a little free library and signposted storybook invite you to pause, read and learn more. Mixed forests of oak, poplar and aspen flank the route, with deer often grazing just off the path.  

Be Bear Aware: Stay aware on the trail, as you may spot black bears. While they’re usually shy, they do wander through town. Carry bear spray in an easily accessible holster, anchored to a backpack strap or belt loop. 

Photo credit: Ashlyn George

Into the Whiteshell Forest 

As you follow the shoreline, the trail narrows into single-track as it leaves the townsite and heads fully into the forest. Interpretive signage points out local wildlife, including less commonly seen animals like snapping turtles, gray treefrogs, American toads, fishers and salamanders.  

Here, the forest alternates between open corridors beneath powerlines and dense groves. The trail is clear and well-marked as you continue to ride past marshes and meadows. The path remains smooth, flat and easy to navigate, so it’s perfect for riders of all levels. 

Photo credit: Ashlyn George

Seven Sisters Generating Station 

The approach to Seven Sisters Generating Station features open views of Natalie Lake reservoir on your left and the surrounding forest on your right. Once you reach the hydro dam, it’s time for the real highlight: riding across the concrete structure, watching the water surge over the 225-metre-long spillway, and taking in the sheer scale of the engineering. Pelicans and other waterfowl are frequent companions here, and the exposed Precambrian rock reminds you that this landscape has been here long before any of us. 

While you can turn around and head back to Pinawa, I recommend riding into the town of Seven Sisters. The residential streets are wide and quiet, and there is a motel serving up burgers and ice cream on Highway 307, the main strip through town. 

Photo credit: Ashlyn George

Bonus: Whitemouth Falls Provincial Park 

For those seeking a longer adventure, it’s worth an optional extension to ride into Whitemouth Falls Provincial Park to see Whitemouth Falls. This is the confluence of the Whitemouth and Winnipeg Rivers and — depending on the season — water flows or trickles over the ancient rock outcrops. The trails here are multiuse for hikers and bikers in the summer and cross-country ski enthusiasts in the winter.  

Other Spots to Explore in Pinawa 

It’s worth spending a weekend or more exploring the town, as there is lots to see and do! 

• Hiking trails: Forested paths and shoreline routes for hikers of all skill levels. There are multiple sections of the Trans Canada Trail to explore here. 

• Pinawa Suspension Bridge: A short detour north of town with great photo ops. While a trail links Pinawa in a loop to the bridge, it’s best left for hikers. The Precambrian rock outcrops can be tricky to navigate on a bike.  

• Pinawa Channel tubing: Rent a tube from two local companies and spend 1–2 hours floating downstream for a relaxing cool-down. 

• Pinawa Dam Heritage Site: This is an abandoned historical dam site 12 kilometres north of Pinawa with walkways and a post-apocalyptic vibe.  

 •Local eats and amenities:  In Pinawa there is an 18-hole golf course, outdoor public pool, beach and swimming platform, ice cream shop, gas station, several campgrounds, and easy access to boating, fishing, paddling and hiking. 

The ride from Pinawa to Seven Sisters is more than just a bike adventure; it’s a full day of learning, spotting wildlife and taking in history. It’s unexpected, scenic and surprisingly accessible, offering a glimpse of the unique charm of Pinawa and the surrounding region. 

Ashlyn George is an award-winning travel writer and photographer based in Saskatoon, Canada. She has travelled to nearly 70 countries across all seven continents and shares her outdoor adventures on her blog, The Lost Girl’s Guide to Finding the World. Find her on social media at @thelostgirlsguide   

At Trans Canada Trail, we work to expand access to nature, improve visitor experience and ensure Canadians can safely enjoy outdoor spaces for generations to come. Find more Manitoba cycling trails on our interactive map, or sign up to Trail Talk for more great stories about what to see and do, and where to go, on the Trans Canada Trail. 

Learn more about the upcoming Canadian Trail Summit, taking place in Winnipeg, Manitoba, in June 2026.

Main photo credit: Ashlyn George