Walking & Hiking

Parkland Pathways Heritage WalksParkland Pathways Heritage Walks

The Parkland Pathways Heritage Walks brochure was produced as part of the Chautauqua Spirit project to celebrate Morden's designation as a Cultural Capital of Canada in 2008. The walks highlight the community's rich history as a thriving pioneer community and commercial centre for a flourishing agricultural district.

Why Parlkand Pathways? Morden is remarkable for its wealth of mature trees and shrubs planted throughout the community. This is a legacy of the influence of the Morden Experimental Farm, established here by the Dominion Government in 1916 and the vision of early residents who began one of Manitoba's first horiticultural societies in 1916.

Copies of the brochure are available at the Pembina Hills Arts Centre, the Library and the Morden Civic Center. You can also click on the links provided and start to chose which walk or walks you might want to take when you visit Morden.

  1. A Rose By Any Other Name - a walk through Morden's Research Station.
    1. Description (2.8 MB)
    2. Map (.1 MB)
  2. Art & Architecture - a walk through Morden's business district.
    1. Description (2.5 MB)
    2. Map (.1 MB)
  3. Along the Creek and Through the Woods - a walk through Morden's Parks.
    1. Description (5.1 MB)
    2. Map (.1 MB)
  4. On The Shore of Glacial Lake Agassiz - a walk by the Lake and Golf Course.
    1. Description (3.0 MB)
    2. Map (.1 MB)
  5. Morden's Mansions - a walk by Morden's heritage homes.
    1. Description (3.0 MB)
    2. Map (.1 MB)

Agassiz Adventure Walk - Pembina Valley Provincial Park & Campground

The Agassiz Adventure is a self-guided tour that takes the traveller to the Stanley portion of the Trans Canada Trail south of Morden.  Those who believe that the prairies are flat and monotonous haven't seen the Pembina Hills, which begin on the western outskirts of Morden, rise gently, level off and rise again, forming a wide plateau of rich farmland between.  A few kilometres out of town they reach a height of 180 meters then suddenly dip sharply forming the scenic Pembina Valley which teems with wildlife and is overgrown with poplar, oak, birch & hundreds of other species of shrubs, flowers and trees.
According to the book Pembina Hills Flora written by Dr. H. H. Marshall, the Pembina Valley was one of the last areas to be freed of the effects of the ice age when Lake Agassiz drained away, leaving what we now know as Lakes Winnipeg, Manitoba and Winnipegosis.  This drop in water levels allowed erosion to deepen the valleys of all the streams, which flowed down the escarpment across the old lake beaches.  The steep-sided valleys strongly affect the amount of precipitation and sunlight we receive and our exposure to wind.  The result is a home for more varied vegetation than is usual on the prairies.  "It was known that the Pembina Hills had an extensive flora (flowering vegetation) because the varied topography offered a wide range of habitat.  The Pembina Flora collection, which includes about one third of the flora of Manitoba, shows that this small area is home to many species,"
The Pembina Valley Camp on the edge of the new Pembina Valley Provincial Park offers the choice of a relaxing or invigorating retreat in a naturalist dream.  You may choose to explore the hiking trails, relax on the observation deck overlooking the natural beauty of the valley, trail riding, canoeing, archery, ropes, picnic shelter, fire pits, open field for games as well as un-serviced sites available for overnight camping.  For more information contact (204) 822-6950 or (204) 822-5630.

FOR INFORMATION ON MORE TRAILS IN MANITOBA CLICK HERE - Manitoba Recreational Trails Association.