Hecla Island Manitoba For Hiking & History
There’s a good chance that unless you live in Manitoba or you’ve got some Icelandic blood in you, that you’ve never heard of Hecla Island, named for Mount Hecla, one of the most active volcanoes in Iceland.
Located about 90 minutes by car north of Winnipeg, Hecla Island has an interesting history as we learned from our hosts, Sharon and Dave at Solmundson Gesta Hus in Hecla Village. Sharon was actually born in the house and has lived through many of the changes the island has seen. ( The B&B is now permanently closed.)
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Hecla Island history
Originally settled in 1876 by people fleeing Iceland – initially because of an erupting volcano, Hecla Island has been the recipient of off and on again economic success, mostly related to the freshwater fishing industry.
By the time the late 1960’s rolled around too many people were leaving the island, in large part because of a decline in the fisheries industry.
To save the community and to provide employment, the islanders banded together and petitioned the Manitoba government to make the island a park. The park formally opened on July 26, 1975.
Now, as part of Hecla/Grindstone Provincial Park, the island has plenty to offer the hiker, biker, kayaker, birder, and history buff. And in winter, it’s a great place to visit for cross-country skiing.
Hiking on Hecla Island
I had come to Hecla Island, primarily for the hiking but in August when I visited, it was a wet one. Many of the hiking trails were actually underwater. We made the most of it and checked out the following trails.
The Lighthouse at Gull Harbour
Throwing on some water shoes we waded through the water to the Lighthouse at Gull Harbour. You could have taken a dry route but this was actually more fun. As a a 6 km return hike, it offers beautiful island views, rocky beaches and loads of bird life. And the lighthouse itself is very photogenic.
Hike to the north end of Hecla Island
Another option is an easy hike to the north end of Hecla Island. It takes you to a pretty park filled with birch trees and a viewing tower worth climbing for the views out to nearby Black Island.
Continuing around the top of the island, you run into a few beaches, though I think the prettier ones are accessed best from the trail to the lighthouse. For a look at some local history and an old limestone quarry, hike the10 km West Quarry Trail found in the northwest corner of the island.
Grassy Narrows Marsh Trails
The Grassy Narrows Marsh Trails are accessed just after driving onto the island via the causeway. In total there are 25 km of hiking available over five different trails, some of them on boardwalk – though not in the summer I was there.
The one exception was the short Madtom Trail that was exclusively on boardwalk. A walk along it provided our first ever sighting of a bird called a Virginia Rail.
Black Wolf Trail on Hecla Island
The Black Wolf Trail would under lower water conditions be the trail to access the most untouched areas of the park.
With options to hike over 22 km, you can explore a landscape that includes marsh, forest and a section of Lake Winnipeg. Large mammal sightings are also possible, in particular black bear and rarely, black wolves.
More things to do on the island
The wind was blowing hard on the weekend we visited. Otherwise we would have considered renting kayaks and going out for a few hours. The waves were big and the skies forbidding so it just didn’t make sense on this visit.
We did see people riding bikes on quiet roads and if we’d had more time we would have investigated Hecla Village – where you can take a guided walking tour.
Where to stay on Hecla Island
There are many options ranging from camping to luxury. You can camp south of Hecla Village, with primitive toilets only. The bulk of the campsites are at the north end of the island, close to tennis courts, beaches and a playground.
For a dash of luxury book the Lakeview Hecla Resort. It overlooks bird-filled marshes and is an easy walk to a pretty beach on Lake Winnipeg.
Where to eat on Hecla Island
You can eat at Seagull’s Restaurant at the Lakeview Hecla Resort. But if you’re visiting the island on a Friday or Saturday night between mid-June and mid-September, I would recommend heading to Integrity Foods, located north of Riverton, but before you reach the island.
Starting at 5 PM you can choose a pizza topping, perhaps one where you’ve gone into their garden to pick some of the herbs and garden vegetables you want on the pizza, and then watch as it bakes in the outdoor wood-fired oven.
Grab a lawn chair and enjoy your pizza – with an organic spelt crust – surrounded by flowers and farm country – farm animals included. This is a fantastic multi-generational outing.
More reading on things to do in Manitoba
- Canoeing the Caddy Lake Tunnels in Whiteshell Provincial Park
- Spirit Sands Hike in Spruce Woods Provincial Park
- Gorge Creek Trail, Riding Mountain National Park
- 6 Best Things to Do in Winnipeg
- What to Do in Riding Mountain National Park in Winter
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Great post! I was just at Hecla today and decided to hike the Grassy Narrows Trail based on your beautiful photos! It was absolutely lovely and I enjoyed spending the day there. Your photos are so gorgeous. Thanks for writing such a wonderful and in-depth post about your time at Hecla. I enjoyed reading about your experiences!
@Brittany And thanks for your great comment and for making my day!
You’re right — I’d never heard of Hecla Island. It’s interesting that the Icelandic people fled to Manitoba, in particular. I wonder what drew them there. Looks like a place to get away from the bustle and explore a beautiful area.
@Cathy I believe for a short period they were able to set up their own country within Canada but don’t quote me on that.
I’d never heard of Hecla Island, but now I have, I’m just back from Iceland, so I can relate to the comparisons.
@Carole Hecla Island doesn’t exactly fall of the tongue of many Canadians but it’s certainly an interesting spot to visit and the Icelandic connection only adds to its charm.
This looks like my kind of place! I love nature and hiking. The frog and garden photo are beautiful!
There’s something so appealing about a boardwalk to me. Great photos of Hecla Island!
No, I’ve never been to Hecla island – but it looks like an interesting place to visit and hike. We would love spotting birds and of course the trails would be the best bit for us … just before the pizzas 😉
I grew up in Winnipeg so we often went to Hecla Island. Lots of important history there. I’ve never seen it so wet as it is in your photos though – it almost looks like Costa Rica it’s so lush! We always ate fish and chips on our road trip to Hecla but that pick your own topping pizza place sounds like fun and looks delicious.
@atastefortravel I think it just started raining in August and didn’t stop though we didn’t actually have any rain when we were there. I was disappointed that some of the great hiking trails were under water but it just gives me an excuse to return. Unfortunately saw no fish & chips so don’t know if that place has disappeared or we just missed it.
I hadn’t heard of Hecla Island before but it looks like quite an interesting place to visit. Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the only provinces that I haven’t been to so I have to head out that way soon to explore a bit!
@Lisa Despite preconceptions of flat and boring prairie country, I think there’s plenty to do to keep all family members busy. One look at the map and you’ll see a heck of a lot of lakes to explore as well. How about a train trip in the summer to Churchill? That would be a cool thing to do.
I’ve wanted to go here for ages, but when I finally made it to Manitoba I went to Churchill instead, so I really enjoyed reading about it here.
@Carol Churchill is high on my wish list as well. Hecla Island was very interesting nonetheless – just no beluga whales or polar bears to speak of.
What a lovely, wild area with an out-of-the way feeling; just my kind of place! Your photos are great and I especially like the colorful flowers in the garden where you could supply some of your toppings for your custom made your pizza. Sounds delish!
@Anita Our B&B hosts had alerted us to the pizza place ahead of time and so glad they did as it was in the middle of nowhere and I think we just would have zoomed right past.
wow, I had no idea that Canada had a little piece of Iceland, even though we are as multicultural as any country can get! But I’m guessing with all that water, the bugs must have been epic! 😉
@Jane No epic bugs thank heavens. That was saved for mid-July in Saskatchewan. By the end of August they were gone. Interesting bit of Icelandic/Canadian history isn’t it.
Like Sue commented, I had never heard of the place before – I love how you introduce me to such places! The frog photo is especially charming and I can see how you might have missed him and thus been startled by him!
@Jackie It wasn’t just him but his hundred cousins or more that were nearby. I found the Hecla Island – Iceland connection very interesting.
I have never heard of this place! I love to read about new adventures! Your photos are fantastic!
@Suzanne Thank you. I just heard about Hecla Island when I started researching places for outdoor adventures in Canada.
Your photographs are enchanting and I love your sand art –
Do you know of Andy Goldsworthy’s art works all created in nature from whatever is around? Its impermanence being part of the essence of its creation!
Search his name with the word Images – You’re in for a treat 🙂
@Linda Thanks for your lovely comment. I don’t know Andy Goldsworthy’s art but checking it out right now. Thank you.
I’d never heard of this place. It looks very remote and lush. I have to admit that seeing all of that standing water made me feel like grabbing the mosquito repellant!
@Kay We were there at the end of August so mosquitoes weren’t an issue at all.
You’ve done a great job, Leigh, in highlighting Hecla Island. It really is a great place. Amazing at how many frogs, isn’t it?
@Doreen I found myself jumping on more than one occasion. I don’t think I’ve seen so many frogs at once since I was a kid.
I’ve never heard of Hecla Island! Looks to be a lovely getaway.
@Betsy Sunshine would have been even better but I really enjoyed exploring a place I’d been researching on and off for a year.
I hadn’t heard on Hecla Island before but it looks and sounds wonderful. I love birds and this looks like a great spot. The idea of picking your own pizza toppings makes me want to check out Integrity Foods too! Thanks for all the great info and photos.
@Sue The pizza was such a bonus and not what I expected to find in the middle of nowhere. We also had the chance to meet the farmers who grew the spelt. That doesn’t happen very often!