Surrounding Communities ~ Trails

Cowessess First Nations Hidden Eco Trails
Lionel Sparvier (306) 696-3324

Vacationers yearning to explore the beauty of the Qu’Appelle Valley’s abundant plant and wildlife species – and get exercise at the same time – should consider Cowessess First Nation’s Hidden Valley Eco Trails.

This three-kilometre system of hiking trails winds its way above Last Oak Golf Course on the south side of Crooked Lake through the hills and coulees of the Qu’Appelle Valley.

The trail passes through terrain that’s remained virtually pristine and in the same condition it was 10,000 years ago and provides a bonanza of sights for hikers.

“Throughout the trails there are going to be sites for rest areas, bird watching, and plant identification… We had a plant biologist down there. It was thought some plants were nearly extinct but they’re growing in our coulees,” says Cowessess economic development director Lionel Sparvier.

Besides tourism and recreational opportunities, schools have also booked guides and explored the trails, during which time they get lessons on being environmentally and eco-system conscious, Sparvier says.

The hiking trail is connected to the groomed snowmobile trail. The hiking isn’t wide enough to accommodate snowmobiles or all-terrain vehicles but it’s handy to have that proximity in case of emergency; if a hiker sustains an injury, for example, he can be removed for medical attention quickly, Sparvier says.

Trans Canada Trail
Visitors to the Qu’Appelle Valley are being told to take a hike: literally. This is the fifth year the Trans-Canada Trail has been officially open, and the Crooked Lake region is part of it.

Following established trails, old railway beds, and other paths, the network provides a walking tour and the nearby provincial park is a boon to hikers and off-road bicyclists, says Donna Appell, a member of the Crooked Lake Parks and Recreation Board.

“This is the fifth year that the Trans-Canada Trail has been in use in the Crooked Lake area and it is wonderful to see children and families using the trail rather than the highway,” says Appell.

“There’s definitely an interest in trails. There are people riding their bikes and taking nature hikes into the hills for health reasons, and for the enjoyment.

“The trail gives a majestic view of the lake. There’s also a lot of nature there- animals, deer and geese.”

The Trans-Canada Trail is linked between Crooked Lake and Katepwa through the Ellisboro Trail, a beautiful and historic part of the Qu’Appelle Valley. Formed in January 1997, the Crooked Lake Parks and Recreation Board wanted to take part in the new national trail. The residents and seasonal visitors in the area wanted a safe cycling and walking path, Appell says.

“There are people walking on the highway (Highway 247) and that could have led to an accident. We had heard that the Trans-Canada Trail was going through Saskatchewan, but it was going to bypass Crooked Lake. It was going from Melville tight through to Regina along Highway 10, which would have missed a whole scenic part of Saskatchewan,” she says.

“We put in a proposal to the Trans-Canada Trail Foundation and had that section of the trail detoured through to Crooked Lake. It creates a safer environment for recreational activities for the people who live at the lake.”