ciao ! travels
Spruce Woods Provincial Park
HAPPY TRAILS Every summer , hikers flock to Spruce Woods Provincial Park to walk the Spirit Sands trail , a fascinating route unlike any other in Manitoba . Winding through five square km of desert sand dunes – towering 30 metres above the prairie – and down through cool wooded areas , the trail leads to the Devil ’ s Punch Bowl , a unique group of ponds formed by underground streams . The trail offers many unique and beautiful vistas at which to stop for a bite , and the self-guided route can be hiked at varying lengths or seen by horse-drawn carriage . Avoid mid-day hikes in the heat of summer . Northwest of Winnipeg , off Provincial Trunk Hwy 5 . gov . mb . ca / sd / parks / parkmaps-and-locations / western / spruce . html
Take-it-to-goers
SWING TIME Pedestrian bridges spanning over water , rainforests and between mountains are tourist attractions the world over , offering scenic views and thrills to adventure seeking hikers . Right here in Manitoba , Souris Swinging Bridge holds the record for the longest suspension bridge in Canada . Although it was first built in 1904 , it has been rebuilt twice due to flood damage . Today ’ s spectacular bridge , rebuilt in 2013 , spans 184 meters and is accessible to people of all abilities . At night , the bridge is illuminated , delivering Insta-worthy photo opportunities . Two riverside picnic tables offer premiere seating to nosh on a gourmet pizza from nearby Woodfire Deli . Ambient squeals and laughter are provided by bridge crossers of all ages .
LOCAL FLAVOUR Known for its elegant atmosphere and stellar prairie-sourced menu , Pineridge Hollow is a rustic venue , gift shop , and restaurant set inside a country estate . The lovely onsite restaurant serves dishes like beet chips and signature mushroom perogies , with some ingredients sourced from its own garden . Those looking to dine outside can explore food vendors , cafes and bakeries in the newly opened Village shops or onsite farmers ’ market ( Fridays and Saturdays ). pineridgehollow . com
Eat-in crowd
TEA FOR TWO Set in a converted historic turn-of-the-20th-century home in the town of Stonewall , McLeod House Tearoom does high tea in style . Tea-sippers perch on antique chairs and pluck dainties and finger sandwiches from tiered trays while enjoying a cuppa from the extensive selection of loose leaf . A full menu offers light and classic options , including a brioche-swaddled lobster roll that pays homage to the owners east coast heritage . On-site boutique has a selection of sweet gifts ( including tins of tea to help bring the magic home ). mcleodhousetearoom . com
Souris Swinging Bridge
Photography : Kristhine Guerrero ; Brereton Lake Resort ; Makena Hughes ; Echo Finlay ; McLeod House Tearoom
22 ciao ! / summer / two thousand twenty-two