Superior Hiking Trail

The Superior Hiking Trail is one of the finest and most celebrated long-distance hiking trails in America, a 310-mile ridgeline route that traces the rugged highlands above Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior from the town of Jay Cooke State Park near Duluth northeast toward the Canadian border at the Boundary Waters. Built and maintained by volunteers of the Superior Hiking Trail Association since the 1980s, the trail weaves through boreal forest, along dramatic cliffs, into river gorges, over waterfall overlooks and out to viewpoints commanding sweeping vistas of the great lake far below.

Accessible via shuttle from dozens of trailheads, the Superior Hiking Trail can be hiked in sections of any length — an afternoon loop, a weekend traverse, or a weeks-long thru-hike of its full length. Primitive backcountry campsites with tent pads, bear boxes and latrines are spaced roughly every five to seven miles. The trail is entirely within Minnesota, runs through six state parks, crosses dozens of rivers and streams, and offers an immersive North Shore experience from the lakeshore highlands to the deep interior of the boreal north.

The Superior Hiking Trail is first and foremost a backpacking and day-hiking destination, offering everything from accessible roadside loops to a multi-week wilderness thru-hike. Key highlights include the dramatic cliffs of Palisade Head, overlooks above the North Shore rivers, waterfall views on the Baptism, Cascade, Temperance and Brule rivers, and far-reaching Lake Superior vistas from the ridgeline. Trail runners use the SHT for ultramarathon training and races, and the trail’s spur trails connect to every major North Shore state park.

In winter, portions of the SHT are open for snowshoeing and skiing. The non-motorized, no-bike trail preserves a quiet hiking experience. Hundreds of miles of connecting and spur trails extend the adventure. The SHT Association’s app and maps make route planning straightforward for any distance.

Late June through early October is the prime hiking window. Summer brings long days, wildflowers, the full use of all facilities and warm evenings at camp, though July can bring bugs (bring repellent). September and early October are arguably the finest months: spectacular fall color paints the North Shore, crisp air, no bugs, fewer crowds, and the best lake views through the thinning leaves. May and early June offer wildflowers and migrating birds but can be muddy and buggy.

Spring snowmelt makes some stream crossings challenging. The trail is hikeable in winter for experienced snowshoers and winter campers, though most backpackers plan their thru-hike attempts between June and October. Fall is the busiest shoulder season — popular segments fill on weekends; book campsites early.

The Superior Hiking Trail was conceived in the 1980s by a small group of North Shore hiking enthusiasts who envisioned a long-distance trail connecting the region’s wild ridgelines, gorges and lakeshore. The Superior Hiking Trail Association, founded in 1986, has built and maintained virtually the entire trail through volunteer labor — thousands of work hours per year by member volunteers. The trail grew incrementally, reaching its current length of more than 310 miles by the 2010s.

The trail’s growth parallels the rise of long-distance hiking culture in America and helped establish the North Shore as a premier hiking destination, transforming communities like Duluth, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Tofte and Grand Marais into trail towns. The SHT is a model of what dedicated volunteer organizations can build and sustain on public lands.

The Superior Hiking Trail traverses the ancient volcanic and intrusive rocks of the North Shore — primarily basalt, rhyolite and anorthosite laid down more than a billion years ago during the great Midcontinent Rift that formed Lake Superior, plus ancient granite and gabbro of the Canadian Shield farther northeast. The rift volcanism created the ridgeline that the trail follows — a tilted fault block of resistant lava flows that stands above Lake Superior, forming the cliffs, palisades and rocky outcrops that provide the trail’s most dramatic views.

Rivers crossing the trail — the Temperance, Baptism, Cascade and Brule — have cut deep gorges through this resistant rock, creating the waterfalls and gorges that are some of the trail’s most celebrated features. Glacial erratics, glacially polished outcrops and glacially carved valleys all reflect the Ice Age that ended here just ten thousand years ago.

The Superior Hiking Trail passes through prime northern Minnesota wildlife habitat — moose are a genuine and regular trail encounter in the boreal sections, especially in the northern half, and black bears are common along the entire route. Timber wolves are occasionally heard and very rarely seen near the BWCA approaches. The North Shore ridge is a renowned hawk migration corridor, especially for broad-winged hawks in September, bald eagles, sharp-shinned hawks and other raptors passing south along the lake. Loons call on the inland lakes, and boreal songbirds — thrushes, warblers, white-throated sparrows — fill the forest in summer.

White-tailed deer, foxes, porcupines, otters and beavers are commonly encountered. The cold, fast rivers on the trail support brook trout.

The Superior Hiking Trail traverses one of Minnesota’s richest ecological transition zones — from the northern hardwood-boreal forest mix of the southern North Shore, through the mature boreal forest of spruce, fir, birch and jack pine farther northeast, to the Canadian Shield landscapes approaching the BWCA. This gradient supports an exceptional diversity of plant and animal life, including many species at the edge of their ranges.

The trail crosses dozens of rivers and streams that feed directly into Lake Superior, and the health of their watersheds directly affects the great lake’s water quality. Protecting the forest canopy along the ridgeline, managing invasive species and maintaining primitive backcountry camping with pack-it-out waste practices sustains the ecology of this diverse corridor.

The Superior Hiking Trail holds a special place in the outdoor culture of Minnesota and the Upper Midwest. For generations of Duluth-area residents, hiking the SHT is a local tradition; for visitors from across the country, a North Shore section hike or thru-hike is a bucket-list adventure. The trail has helped transform Duluth into one of America’s great outdoor-recreation cities and anchored the economies of the North Shore’s small communities.

The SHT Association’s volunteer ethos — every mile of trail built by hand by community members — gives the trail a particular cultural character: it is a community achievement as much as a wilderness corridor. Thru-hikers who complete its 310 miles join a small and proud community with a deep connection to the North Shore.

The Superior Hiking Trail runs roughly parallel to Highway 61 along the North Shore, with trailheads accessible from dozens of points between Jay Cooke State Park near Duluth and the trail’s northern end near the Boundary Waters. A section-hiking shuttle service operates during peak season, and the Superior Hiking Trail Association’s website and app provide detailed maps, trailhead information, campsite locations and current conditions.

No permit is required for day hiking. Backcountry camping at designated primitive sites is free but sites are first-come, first-served — popular fall weekends fill quickly. Parking at trailheads varies; a Minnesota state park vehicle permit covers some trailheads within state park boundaries. Check the SHTA website for current trailhead conditions and closures.

The Superior Hiking Trail is maintained entirely by the Superior Hiking Trail Association through volunteer labor. Hikers can support the trail by becoming SHTA members, volunteering for trail work days, and practicing Leave No Trace rigorously: camp only at designated sites, use the established fire rings and bear boxes, pack out all trash (the trail has no garbage service), stay on the marked trail to prevent erosion, and cross streams on bridges and stepping stones rather than widening muddy bypasses.

Invasive species are a growing concern along the trail corridor. Report damaged or blocked trail sections to the SHTA via the app. The trail’s primitive campsites have no water sources at some locations — filter from streams. The North Shore’s rivers feed directly into Lake Superior; protecting water quality on and near the trail matters beyond the trail itself.

The Superior Hiking Trail is a rugged backcountry trail with no services in the backcountry — carry enough food and water, filter all water from streams, bring a map and know how to use it (cell service is unreliable along much of the route), and carry a first-aid kit and emergency shelter. The North Shore weather can shift rapidly — summer thunderstorms, cold rain and early fall snowstorms are all possible; carry rain gear and extra layers year-round.

Cliffs and exposed overlooks require care — stay on trails and back from edges. Stream crossings can be swift and cold in spring. Be moose-aware: give moose a wide berth, especially cows with calves. Bears are present; store all food and scented items in the bear boxes at campsites or in a bear canister. Wear blaze orange in fall hunting season sections on public land.

Day hiking requires no permit. Backcountry camping is at designated primitive sites only; sites are first-come, first-served and free. Camp only in designated areas with established tent pads and fire rings. Pack out all trash — no garbage service. Use bear boxes at all sites where provided. Fires in fire rings only; observe any fire restrictions in effect. Pets must be leashed. Bikes, horses and motorized vehicles are not permitted on the trail. Trail sections within state parks require a Minnesota state park vehicle permit for parking. Check the SHTA website for current conditions, closures and regulations.

The Superior Hiking Trail connects virtually every major North Shore destination — it passes through or near Jay Cooke, Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche, Temperance River, Cascade River and Judge C.R. Magney state parks, and approaches the BWCA and Voyageurs country at its northern end. The towns of Duluth, Two Harbors, Silver Bay, Tofte, Lutsen and Grand Marais all serve as trail-town bases. Lake Superior’s rugged North Shore is the trail’s constant companion and backdrop.

Download the Superior Hiking Trail Association’s official app for GPS maps, campsite locations and current conditions before you set out — don’t rely on cell service on the trail. For a first overnight, the section near Tettegouche or the Temperance River offers spectacular scenery close to trailheads. Visit in September for the best combination of fall color, cool temperatures, no bugs and empty campsites. Register as an SHTA member to support the volunteers who built every mile. Bring trekking poles for the descents into river gorges.