ELLA-VATED TRAILS

Tracing prairie trails through memory, discovery, and home.

By Ella Gidluck, SaskTrails Storyteller

Madge Moments Part 2: Trails Worth the Bug Spray

In Part 1 of this Madge Moments series, we met April and Jordan from Duck Mountain Lodge and explored why this place has such a strong pull for locals and travellers alike. But let’s be honest, the trails are what keep people coming back season after season. Whether you’re chasing butterflies, biking with your family, or just trying to dodge mosquitos and your emails, the forest paths around Madge Lake have something for everyone.

Fen Trail

The Fen Trail is a little out of the way, tucked near the ski hill on the edge of the park. It’s a bit of a drive to get there, but I wasn’t complaining. Call me Miss Daisy. I was in full passenger princess mode while my mom chauffeured me down winding roads with no cell service and vibes only.

By the time we reached the trailhead, the signal had vanished entirely, which made the journey feel like a portal into a different world. No texts, no emails, no directions. Just moss, trees, and the distant sound of birds plotting.

This trail is gentle, with a stunning raised boardwalk through the wetland. It’s cool and quiet, with ferns and filtered light that make it feel like you’ve stepped into a moss-covered secret.

Ferns, fairylike lighting, and the boardwalk of dreams.

My mom, MVP of the day, carried the bag with all the essentials. Water, bug spray, sunscreen, bear spray, snacks, sweaters, and for reasons I will never question, a sudoku book. Because nothing says “prepared hiker” like the option to sit on a bench mid-trail and do a logic puzzle in the shade.

Ella-vated Trail Rating: 5/5 moss patches. Magical with minimal effort.

Madge TCT

This segment of the Trans Canada Trail starts near the tennis courts at Ministik Beach and winds its way into the Pickerel Point Campground. The beginning is bright and open, with trees that make just enough shade to keep things cool. As the trail continues, it passes cabins and starts to feel more enclosed, with thicker forest and a narrower path that pulls you deeper into the trees.

Starting the TCT loop like a local, tennis courts to trees in under five minutes.

I didn’t see many people, just the occasional squirrel and birdsong. If you’re looking for a trail that offers a bit more distance without feeling overwhelming, this one’s a good pick.

If you’re into geocaching, this stretch is even more fun. One of the STA board members recently replaced a hidden container near the bridge along this trail (GC4F0Y7 for the real ones). Nature walk meets treasure hunt? Sign me up.

Choose your own forest adventure. Left or right, it’s all trees.

Ella-vated Trail Rating: 4/5 quiet forest vibes. Best enjoyed without a destination.

Damselfly Trail

I cannot confirm whether I saw an actual damselfly on the Damselfly Trail. What I can confirm is that a mysterious bug landed on a stick I was holding. Did I freak out before we could identify it? Yes, and my mom caught it on camera.

Welcome to the Damselfly Trail: bugs, beauty, and bear warnings included.

This trail is a nice middle ground: not too long, not too short, with enough changes in scenery to keep it interesting. It’s the kind of hike where you start pointing things out to no one in particular, just to keep the conversation going.

Ella-vated Trail Rating: 3.5/5 mysterious bugs. Great scenery, minor emotional damage.

Batka Lake Lookout

Batka Lake Lookout is not a fancy lookout. It’s a dirt pull-off with a couple of picnic tables, a woodpile, and a view of the lake if you walk around a bit and stand in the right spot. There’s no sign announcing you’ve arrived, just a “No Motor Vehicles” gate and enough shade to make you stay longer than you planned.

I wandered around while my mom scouted ahead and casually carried every possible hiking essential on her back like it was no big deal. It’s the kind of place that doesn’t feel like much, until you realize how peaceful it is. No crowds, little to no cell service, just trees, birds, and the occasional frog judging your footwear.

Not a fancy lookout, just a picnic table and peace.

If you want to keep going, the trail to Moose Lake starts nearby, and there’s a geocache tucked somewhere along it (GC9X4QX) if you’re the type who enjoys finding things hidden in the woods by strangers on the internet.

Ella-vated Trail Rating: 4/5 picnic tables. Not much going on, in the best way.

Trail Sampler: Quick Picks You Might Like

There are a few more trails that deserve a mention, even if we didn’t do a deep dive this time:

• Green Lake Trail – An easy loop through the trees. In the winter, the warm-up shelter is a cozy place to stop while snowmobiling. It smells like woodsmoke and good memories.

Green Lake Trail, where snowmobilers and hikers alike find their forest fix.

• Pelly Point Nature Trail – My family loves to bike this one. It’s gentle, open, and is a good opportunity to get the heart rate up (depending how seriously you take it).

Green tunnel vibes: Pelly Point Trail bringing the forest immersion.

• Fire Tower Trail – A short, easy path that loops near the back of the golf course. No towers to climb, just a good walk and a cool name.

No fire tower to climb, but still worth the loop.

• Tamarack Ski Shelter – You can reach it with a short walk off the ski hill road. If you’re into geocaching, there’s a container hidden nearby (GC4D03P). Not a full hike, but still a little adventure.

And for the truly committed, there’s even a cache hidden on an island in the middle of Madge Lake (GC2CHKR). Bring a canoe, or a very brave friend.

Bonus Ella-vation Tip: Green Lake in winter hits different. Bring mitts and a thermos.

Coming Up Next…

In the next Madge Moments blog, we’re hitting the road, literally. I’ll be sharing highlights from the scenic route to Madge from Regina, with some trail stops and prairie towns you won’t want to skip along the way.

Until then, grab your bug spray, charge your phone, and let me know which Madge trail is your favourite. And hey, if you spot a damselfly, send me a pic. I need closure.

This article is part of the SaskTrails Storyteller Series. Thank you to the Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association and Trans Canada Trail for supporting this initiative.

Ella Gidluck is the Saskatchewan Trails Association’s 2025 Summer Storyteller. She’s a university student with a love for quiet places, trail snacks, and telling the stories behind the paths we walk.