ELLA-VATED TRAILS
Tracing prairie trails through memory, discovery, and home.
By Ella Gidluck, SaskTrails Storyteller
Trailside Discoveries: From Disc Golf to Doukhobor History
There’s something deeply satisfying about finding joy in the in-between places. On our way to and from Madge Lake, we took our time, on purpose, and made a few stops that turned out to be highlights of the whole trip. None of these were epic hikes or bucket list destinations, but they stitched together the kind of experience that makes trail travel feel human.
Here are three stops worth getting out of the car for:
First Stop: Melville Regional Park
Melville Regional Park sits just inside the city limits and has been a community gem since the 1960s. You’ll find it right off Prince Edward Street at 1260 Prince Edward Street in Melville, Saskatchewan.
The park offers 82 campsites with 15, 20, and 30 AMP service, water, pull through sites, coin operated showers, and a dump station. It’s the perfect spot to base your trip if you want a home away from home while exploring the stops ahead.
Melville’s disc golf course is one of the nicest I’ve seen in Saskatchewan. A peaceful, green spot to enjoy a round or two, right by the campground and pool.
There’s also an outdoor pool right by the campground, ideal for cooling off after a drive, and a disc golf course that’s a standout. The 18 hole grass tee course starts just east of the RP4 baseball diamond along the entrance road. It is about 1.9 miles long, mostly flat, and takes around 1.5 to 2 hours to play. It’s public access, cart friendly, and pet friendly too. You can find more info on the course here.
Where Does the Trail Start?
Great question. The Trans Canada Trail stretches through Melville using a mix of sidewalks and wooded grass trails that wind through the park. A key trail access point is just beside the golf course and curling club at the city’s west end. This marks the start of the Centennial Walking Trail, which connects to the broader Great Trail network. So if you’re looking to stretch your legs before the drive, begin near the golf course on the west side, follow leafy paths next to poplar trees and the naturalized creek, and you’ll seamlessly be on the Great Trail heading through the Regional Park.
Next Up: Canora
You might be tempted to just pass through Canora, but don’t. We stopped for a quick look around and ended up staying much longer than expected. Right away, Lesia the Welcome Lady greets you with a smile and outstretched arms. She’s not holding perogies, as you might expect. She’s holding something even more meaningful: bread salt.
Lesia stands tall in traditional Ukrainian dress, greeting visitors to Canora with warmth and history.
Canora is home to twelve churches, and they’re not shy about it. This welcome sign stands right beside Lesia, a fitting backdrop for a town that wears its community roots proudly
Lesia was created in 1979 by local artists Nicholas and Orest Lewchuk and took over a year to complete. She’s dressed in traditional Ukrainian attire and offers a Kolach, a braided bread loaf, alongside a dish of salt. This ceremonial gesture is rooted in hospitality. Bread is a symbol of respect, and salt represents lasting friendship. The bread and salt are traditionally presented on an embroidered cloth, with guests invited to dip and share. It’s not just a statue. It’s a welcome, in every sense of the word.
Right beside Lesia, you’ll spot a sign that says, “The Churches of Canora Welcome You.” There are twelve churches listed, a testament to the town’s spiritual diversity and strong sense of community.
And just across the street? The Canora Co-op grocery store, home to the best poppyseed loaf you’ll ever have. This is not an exaggeration. We are talking thick slices, the perfect level of moisture, and a swirl of poppyseed filling that could ruin you for other desserts. It must be from Canora’s Co-op specifically. Accept no substitutes.
While you’re here, make time for a food crawl.
The Canora Co-op grocery store doesn’t just have legendary poppyseed loaf. They also carry Terry’s Shishliki in their butcher shop. Terry used to sell it at Dennis Foods, but it’s now found exclusively at the Co-op. Locals still swear by it.
And if you’re hungry for something cozy and unexpected, Raymond’s Family Restaurant serves up Chinese food that is worth driving hours for. The portions are generous. The flavours are so much better than you would expect from a place with lace curtains.
All aboard the CANORA train (yes, the pun is built in).
We also popped by the Canora CN Heritage Museum, at least the outside. There’s a massive train you can take photos with, and it’s the kind of spot that reminds you how much railway history runs through Saskatchewan’s small towns. Even if you don’t go inside, it’s a good stop to stretch, snap a picture, and soak in a different slice of local life.
Canora TCT Trail: Kid Powered Nature Walks
Just outside of town, the Trans Canada Trail section in Canora is short, flat, and full of heart. What makes it special isn’t the terrain or the distance. It’s the community storytelling built right into the path.
Layered trail signs guide walkers through Canora’s Community Trail, where caution meets curiosity.
Wetlands wisdom from a Grade 6 artist, celebrating the vibrant ecosystems right under our feet.
A kid-drawn Canada Goose sign adds a splash of charm and local knowledge to the trail.
All along the trail, you’ll find hand painted signs featuring wildlife facts and art by local kids. One sign titled “Wetlands” features a wide eyed duck peeking through tall grass with a message about how wetlands support over 600 species. Another highlights the Canada Goose, drawn with bold strokes and a dramatic orange yellow sky that looks like a prairie storm and a sunset had a baby. The result is a trail that feels playful, personal, and proud of the land it’s on.
Simple directional markers and caution signs help guide the way, keeping you on track while you wander through open green space. It’s an easy walk, but one that leaves a surprisingly lasting impression. Trails like this remind you that you don’t need a mountain view to feel connected to where you are.
Final Stop: Veregin – National Doukhobor Heritage Village
Just when we thought the trip couldn’t get more grounding, we made our final stop in Veregin, home to the National Doukhobor Heritage Village, sits right along the Trans Canada Trail. It’s a designated National Historic Site, and after spending some time there, it’s easy to see why.
The Doukhobors were a group of spiritual pacifists who fled persecution and built a life here based on community, simplicity, and peace. The village preserves that legacy in a way that’s both powerful and deeply personal. You don’t just read signs and peer through glass. You walk through it.
The gateway to a fascinating past, welcome to the National Doukhobor Heritage Village.
The main house, which belonged to Peter V. Verigin, is open to explore. Downstairs, you’ll find a peaceful prayer room, and upstairs are carefully arranged historical scenes that give you a glimpse into communal life at the time. Every room tells a quiet story.
Beyond the house, the village stretches into a bathhouse, barn, bakery, and more, all open to explore. It’s easy to imagine people bustling through their daily routines, grounded in shared values and mutual care.
A look across the peaceful National Doukhobor Heritage Village.
A traditional Doukhobor communal dining table, featuring a humble offering of bread, salt, and water.
The iconic grain elevator in Veregin, once the tallest building in town and the heart of Doukhobor industry.
I had the chance to meet Cat Woloschuk, the Executive Director of the Heritage Society, whose passion for keeping this history alive is palpable. On July 20, the community came together for a Heritage Day celebration, complete with a Blini Brunch, because obviously, no historic site visit is complete without pancakes.
If you’re someone who’s curious about lesser known corners of Canadian history, this place is a gem. It’s not flashy. But it lingers in your memory. It reminds you that trails don’t just take you through nature. They carry you through stories too.
Final Thoughts
These weren’t the biggest trails or flashiest destinations, but that’s kind of the point. When you travel with a little curiosity and a lot of snack breaks, you end up with stories you didn’t expect. So the next time you’re heading to Madge Lake, or anywhere really, take the scenic route. Wander into a park. Read a plaque. Wave at Lesia.
There’s good stuff waiting for you, just off the trail.
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.
