Trail passes wild river, 400-year-old trees

A section of the West Manitou River Trail.
Photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR.

Day hikers can enjoy rustic North Shore landscapes on a scenic loop at Minnesota’s George H. Crosby Manitou State Park.

The 3.3-mile Middle-West Manitou-Misquah-Yellow Birch Loop combines four trails as it winds through the highlands overlooking Lake Superior. Along the loop, day hikers can experience a river rumbling over ancient rock and an old growth forest boasting centuries-old trees.

George H. Crosby Manitou State Park is perfect for hikers and campers who prefer a primitive nature setting. The park has no developed facilities, in accordance with the wishes of its namesake, a famous Minnesota mining executive who was an avid outdoorsman.

To reach the park, from Silver Bay travel north on Minn. Hwy. 61, turning left/northwest onto Minn. Hwy 1. In Finland, go right/northeast onto County Road 7 (aka Cramer Road). Take a right/east into the park, using the lot where the road loops back on itself.

Superior Hiking Trail
The first leg of the loop, the Middle Trail, starts on the lot’s north side. This portion of the trail also is part of the Superior Hiking Trail.

In keeping with the park’s primitive nature, the gently rolling dirt trail is narrow and crosses several small stones and tree roots. A boardwalk runs over a wet, boggy area, then the trail climbs a rocky slope.

After 0.3 miles, a side trail heads to an overlook. The view is worth the few extra steps. Past the overlook, the side trail rejoins the main route; at that junction, go right/north onto the Middle Trail.

Among the interesting sights following the overlook is a birch tree growing atop a boulder with roots clinging to the rock as breaking into the ground. The trail next passes an open log shelter that is a great spot for a break.

At 0.9 miles, the Middle reaches the West Manitou River Trail. Go left/northwest onto the latter.

River views
An overlook is 0.15 miles from the intersection. The rock knoll offers great view of the river valley below. The vista is stunning in autumn, when the changing leaves paint the forest in a rainbow of harvest colors. From there, descend several wooden steps to the Manitou River’s cascades.

After taking in the rapids, turn back, following the trail southwest along the river, which can be seen through several tree breaks. The Manitou River rushes over basalt set down in lava flows some 1.1 billion years ago. The water is the color of frothy root beer due to the dead leaves, grasses and other organic material that drain into the waterway; the hard rocky river bottom causes the water to tumble and aerate. Manitou means “spirit” in Ojibwe.

In 0.6 miles, after passing several spurs to campsites, the Superior Hiking Trail splits to the left/north where it crosses the river. Instead, go right/south onto the Misquah Trail and away from the Manitou.

This section of the loop heads through an old growth forest for a half-mile with a couple of overlooks just off the trail.

Ancient birch
After passing a spur to campground site 7, the trail curves west. In 0.4 miles from the spur, you’ll reach the Yellow Birch and Cedar Ridge trails. Go right/northwest onto the Yellow Birch.

This portion of the loop also runs through an old growth forest. Some of the birch trees here are around 400 years old, starting as saplings when the Pilgrims first arrived in America. Because of the thick forest, the trail here is rugged.

Wildlife frequently can be spotted along this part of the loop. Be forewarned that black bears are among the park’s denizens; should you see a bear, simply make loud noises to scare it off. Being noisy while you hike usually is sufficient to keep bears deep in the woods.

At 0.3 miles, the trail passes a connector to Bensen Lake. Stay on the main route. Then, in another 0.3 miles, you’ll reach the road to your parking lot. Follow it right/north to your vehicle.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Trail crosses North Shore’s only black beach

Topo map for Onyx (Black) Beach in Silver Bay, Minn.

Hikers can walk the only black beach on Minnesota’s North Shore in Silver Bay.

The trail across secluded Onyx Beach runs 0.45 miles round trip. Though long off-limits to the general public (which didn’t keep locals away), the little-known beach opened to the public in 2015.

To reach the trailhead, head north from Split Rock Lighthouse State Park on Minn. Hwy. 61. In Silver Bay, turn right/east onto the gravel E. Lakeshore Drive. Go left/south onto Water Plant Road. Watch for a trail heading down to the beach on the road’s left/east side. You can park your vehicle off the side of the road.

The access trail through the birch trees to the beach is rough. There is no marked trail on the beach itself.

Though much of the billion-year-old basalt along the North Shore is black hued, the beach owes its coloring entirely to man. For a quarter century, taconite tailings – the remains of a low grade iron ore mined deep beneath the surface of the Iron Range more than an hour away – were dumped into Lake Superior. The practice stopped in 1980 after those concerned with water quality protested.

By the mid-1980s, the lake water grew clearer and fish returned to the area. But fine grains of the tailings washed onto the half-mile long crescent-shaped beach, transforming the stones’ appearance. Beneath the water, the settled tailings shine as if onyx, hence the name of the beach (It previously was called Black Beach). Onyx is a black volcanic glass, however, and there’s none in the water or on the beach.

Indeed, a quick look at the island just off the mainland shows its red hues beneath the trees. Contrasting the black beach with the red island, blue lake, and white birch makes for an exotic experience.

After taking in the sights, retrace your steps to where you parked.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Palisade Head rises 300' above Great Lake

View of Palisade Head on Minnesota North Shore, courtesy of Wikipedia.

Topo map pf Palisade Head.

Hikers can walk atop an ancient 300-foot cliff overlooking Lake Superior at Minnesota’s Palisade Head.

The head offers about 4000 feet of frontage above the lake. It is located within Tettegouche State Park but is not contiguous with the main park area.

To reach the trailhead, from Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, travel north on Minn. Hwy. 61 through Silver Bay. Near milepost 57, turn right/east onto a steep, narrow road that climbs to Palisade Head’s top. A parking lot is close to the cliff edge next to a large radio tower.

There are no designated paths, but white spruce, aspen, mountain ash, paper birch, and oak trees grow sparsely atop the hard, erosion-resistant rock, so you can walk between among them. You’ll be rewarded with fantastic views of the world’s largest freshwater lake. Shovel Point, which is made of the same rock as the head, can be seen about two miles distant to the northeast. Split Rock Lighthouse is to the southwest. On the clearest days, Wisconsin’s Apostle Islands and the Bayfield Peninsula can be seen to south across the lake.

The rock beneath your feet is called rhyolite. The entire palisade head is the hardened remains of a massive lava flow from about 1.1 billion years ago; the flow stretches about three miles long and two miles wide. Not only is walking across such old rock a rarity but so are rhyolite lava flows in general – only three have been recorded worldwide since 1900.

The great vistas almost certainly will include a variety of raptors. Peregrine falcons nest on the head while bald eagles nest nearby. Each fall, thousands of hawks from a variety of species migrate along this shoreline.

As walking along the head, also keep an eye out for wild blueberry bushes. The berries usually come out in late July through mid-August.

Except at the parking lot, there are no railings, so watch for the edges that fall straight into the lake. This is not a great place to let young or careless children roam free.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Trail runs to sparkling lakes on North Shore

Map of Superior Hiking Trail, Twin lakes segment, courtesy shta.org.

Superior Hiking Trail goes 7-miles round trip to lakes in rocky bowls

Day hikers can visit twin lakes nestled in the North Shore highlands on Minnesota’s Superior Hiking Trail.

The 7-miles round trip section of the trail passes both scenic Bean and Bear lakes, which sit northwest of Silver Bay. As the lakes are right next to one another and close in size, they often are referred to as the “Twin Lakes.”

To reach the trailhead, from Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, drive north on Minn. Hwy. 61. In Silver Bay, turn left/north onto County Road 5/Outer Drive. The road eventually becomes County Road 11/Penn Boulevard. Drive into the highlands. Turn into the parking lot on the right/north. The trailhead is in the lot’s southeast corner.

Twin Lakes Trail junction
Initially, an ATV trail and the Superior Hiking Trail share the same route. They split in a hundred yards with the SHT going left/north. The trail heads uphill, crossing another ATV trail then passing through a sumac stand along the way.

Next it crosses a gravel road; look to the northwest for the water tanks that supply Silver Bay. The trail then enters a spruce forest, reaches a ridgeline, and junctions with another ATV trail.

At one mile, a series of outcrops on the ridge give excellent views to the west and the south, the latter of which includes Lake Superior and Silver Bay. In 1.3 miles from the trailhead, another great vista of an oak-maple-birch tree ridge comes up.

The SHT junctions with the Twin Lakes Trail at 1.8 miles. The Twin Lakes Trail begins in Silver Bay at the Bay Area Historical Society’s information center, taking the Silver Bay Spur of the Superior Hiking Trail to a loop running along the shores of Bean and Bear lakes. You’re now on that loop, too. Go left/northeast and continue to the lakes.

After crossing a footbridge over Penn Creek and a spur to the Penn Creek Campsite, the trail enters pretty Superior National Forest. On the south face of the highlands, you’ll find maples. Once passing outcrops, the woods turns to oak and sumac with blueberries and juneberries in the undergrowth. There’s also a wetlands with a small pond to the left/west.

Bean and Bear lakes
Next the trail heads atop high cliffs with the twin lakes to the northwest. You’ll first pass about 200 feet above sparkling Bean Lake. Thirty-two acres in size and the larger of the twins, deep Bean Lake is a popular spot to catch rainbow trout.

At 2.6 miles is the Bean Lake overlook. In addition to the lake, look northeast for Mount Trudee, whose flat top covered in red pines will be visible.

Upon coming to Bear Lake, you can scramble down to its blue shores via a 150-yard (one-way) spur trail to the Bear Lake Campsite. This places you at 3.5 miles from the trailhead.

As ascending to the lakeshore, you’ll be able to see Bean Lake in the distance. Any of the rocky outcrops over the lakes make for a great picnic spot.

After taking in the scenery, retrace yours steps back to the Penn Boulevard parking lot.

Note: The Twin Lakes Trail starting in Silver Bay, while scenic, runs about a half-mile longer than the route described here and involves more elevation gain, as it starts at the base of the highlands.

Learn about nearby hiking trails in Day Hiking Trails of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.

Gitchi-Gami offers Beaver Bay segments

Map of Gitchi-Gami State Trail segments, Beaver Bay
and Silver Bay. Courtesy www.ggta.org/.

While always great for bicyclists, some segments of Minnesota’s Gitchi-Gami State Trail are not so wonderful for hikers. The trail north from Split Rock Lighthouse State Park to Silver Bay is one such stretch.

For most of that segment, the state trail hugs Minn. Hwy. 61 or takes a couple of brief diversions alongside local roads. This makes for a noisy walk with lots of wind from fast-moving vehicles as they pass.

Still, for those who want to walk a flat, paved trail that is just as pretty as what any anyone driving Hwy. 61 would see – and it is an extremely scenic drive of pines, forested uplands, and Lake Superior views – the Gitchi-Gami is a good option.

A couple of segments in particular stand out.

In Beaver Bay, start at the north end of the 14.1-mile trail that runs through Split Rock to Gooseberry Falls State Park. Begin in downtown Beaver Bay off of Hwy. 61 south/west of Slater Drive. Hike the trail as far south as you like; the creek south of Pine Bay Loop makes a good turnback point for a little more than 4-mile round trip.

From Silver Bay, the trail can be hiked south. From Rukavina Arena on Outer Drive, head 2.3 miles (4.6-miles round trip) south/west to West Road in Beaver Bay. Parking is available near the arena.

The Beaver Bay and Silver Bay segments do not connect.

In addition, the Silver Bay trailhead is as far north hikers can get to Tettagouche State Park. The next segment of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail begins at the Minnesota DOT wayside in Schroeder, north of Tettagouche.

Learn about nearby hiking trails in Day Hiking Trails of Split Rock Lighthouse State Park.

Minnesota Northwoods trail reminiscent of hike through mountains in western U.S.

East side of Bensen Lake. Photo courtesy of Minn DNR.

Bensen Lake Trail
circles 19.4-acre lake

A walk around a forested Northwoods lake awaits day hikers in Minnesota’s George H. Crosby Manitou State Park.

The Bensen Lake Trail runs 0.9 miles round trip, including the stem trail and loop. Entirely shaded, the trail gives hikers the feeling of being in remote mountain country out west.

To reach the park, from Silver Bay travel north on Minn. Hwy. 61, turning left/northwest onto Minn. Hwy 1. In Finland, go right/northeast onto County Road 7 (aka Cramer Road). Take a right/east into the park, using the lot just before the road curves south.

Summit nearby
The trailhead for Bensen Lake Trail is the Superior Hiking Trail, which runs past the park road immediately to the lot’s southeast. Take the Superior Hiking Trail south as a stem, watching for the turnoff to the loop around Bensen Lake. Go right/southwest as the loop around the lake begins. Much of Bensen Lake trail consists of a boardwalk, as the ground can be soggy.

Along the lake’s northwest side, the lake remains visible through the treeline. Picnic tables can be found along the water. A 1600-foot high summit looms directly south of the lake.

Covering 19.4 acres, Bensen Lake reaches a maximum depth of 36 feet. Brook, brown and and rainbow trout as well as splake – a hybrid of brook and lake trout – call the lake home.

After 0.4 miles on the loop, the trail leaves the lake’s west side for the south side. The south side’s water is particularly clear, and you should be able to see about 15 feet down. It’s particularly picturesque under a clear, blue sky.

Lake plants
In another 0.2 miles, the boardwalk leaves the lake’s south side for the east side. The trail crosses a creek that flows out of the lake east to the Manitou River.

Bensen Lake’s eastern side offers some shallow spots where lake plants can grow. Keep an eye out for a variety of animals – including amphibians, shore birds, and small fish – that prefer the protection and feeding opportunities the lake plants provide.

Upon reaching the loop’s beginning, retrace your steps back to the parking lot. Note that in some state publications and websites, Bensen Lake is spelled “Benson Lake.” It appears as “Bensen” on USGS topo maps, however.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Hike to Shovel Point leads to fantastic vistas

View from Shovel Point.
Photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR.

Shovel Point Trail

Easy walk marks great spot
to see migrating birds

An incredible view of Lake Superior atop billion-year-old rock awaits day hikers on the Shovel Point Trail in Minnesota’s Tettegouche State Park.

The North Shore hike runs about 1.1-miles round trip. A fairly flat trail, it’s a wonderful autumn walk when the shoreline leaves turn an array of yellows.

To reach the trailhead from Silver Bay, drive north on Minn. Hwy. 61. After crossing the Baptism River, turn right/southeast into the park entrance. Go straight on the park entrance road and veer left into the northernmost lot. From the lot’s southeastern corner, pick up the interpretive trail that heads toward Lake Superior.

Shorebird mecca
The trail runs through a forested area of birch and aspen. A few pines are mixed in.

Within short order, the trail comes to the lake near a small rocky point with an overlook of the vast blue waters.

No matter what the season, you’re certain to find shorebirds flying over the lake and trail. During late May as birds migrate north, up to 150 different species can be spotted.

In summer, bald eagles, peregrine falcons, and several varieties of wood warblers call the shore home.

Throughout autumn, the migration south moves at a steady pace. It usually begins in late August with flocks of the common nighthawk filling the warm evening skies. In early September, songbirds make their way through the area, and by mid-month through early October, various raptors make their push. Late October usually sees the arrival of Arctic birds.

Dramatic Shovel Point
From there, the trail veers northeast. Upon coming to the next overlook, the trail splits into a loop. Go right/southeast onto Shovel Point.

The point is the dramatic remains of 1.1-billion-year-old lava flows that were rich in rhyolite, a light-colored volcanic rock. Extremely resistant to erosion, the rock has held out through the eons against several glaciers and the lakes they’ve left, including cold Lake Superior, which it rises about 200 feet above.

Upon reaching the next overlook, which leaves the green forest for the beige rocks, you’ve come to the trail’s farthest incursion on the point. You may spend a good amount of the hike simply standing in awe here as the vast lake and a shoreline of sea caves, a sea stack, the Baptism River’s mouth, and Palisade Head stretch before you.

Following the overlook, the trail curves around its loop through the woods back to where it split. From there, retrace your steps back to the parking lot.

If hiking with children, make sure they stay on the trail and in sight, as the cliff edges are long, straight drops.

Map

Read more about day hiking Northeast Minnesota in my Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.

Crosby Manitou State Park offer diverse day hiking experiences

Yellow Birch Trail in George H. Crosby Manitou State
Park. Photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR.

Sawtooth peaks, a wild Northwoods river, and a pretty lake await day hikers at George H. Crosby Manitou State Park on Minnesota’s North Shore.

To reach the park, from Silver Bay travel north on Minn. Hwy. 61, turning left/northwest onto Minn. Hwy 1. In Finland, go right/northeast onto County Road 7 (aka Cramer Road). Take a right/east into the park, using the main parking lot just before the road curves south. All the trail described here leave from that parking lot.

Among the state park’s great day hikes are:
g Bensen Lake Trail – Entirely shaded, the 0.9-miles round trip trail gives hikers the feeling of being in remote mountain country out west. The trailhead for Bensen Lake Trail is the Superior Hiking Trail, which runs past the park road immediately to the lot’s southeast. Take the Superior Hiking Trail south as a stem, and watch for the turnoff to the loop around Bensen Lake.
g Humpback Trail segment – The first half this rugged trail rambles to a summit at 1560-feet elevation. From the main parking lot’s northwest corner, go 0.6 miles to the peak for a 1.2-mile round trip.
g Matt Willis Trail/Beaver Bog Trail Loop – This trail combo heads around a 1624-foot peak. From the main parking lot, take the Superior Hiking Trail south to Bensen Lake Trail. Go left/southeast for 0.6 miles to Matt Willis Trail, which runs 1.3 miles and connects to Beaver Bog Trail, a 1.5-mile route that reconnects with Bensen Lake Trail. Total distance is 3.8 miles.
g West Manitou River Trail – The trail heads to several campsites along its namesake. To reach it, do a loop, starting from the main parking lot by taking the Yellow Birch Trail to the Misquah Trail then from the latter going north on the West Manitou River Trail; return to the main parking lot on the Middle Trail/Superior Hiking Trail for a 3-mile round trip.
g Yellow Birch Trail/Cedar Ridge Trail – This trail combo runs along the side of a sawtooth mountain. From the main parking lot, take the Yellow Birch Trail southeast and connect with the Cedar Ridge Trail, turning back at the next intersection for a 4-mile round trip out-and-back hike.

Learn about trail guidebooks available in the Hittin’ the Trail series.

Array of impressive hikes in Silver Bay area

Superior Hiking Trail campsite along Bear Lake.
Photo courtesy of  Minnesota DNR.

A waterfall more than six-stories high, dramatic vistas of Lake Superior, and forested trails await day hikers in the Silver Bay region on Minnesota’s North Shore.

Silver Bay sits about halfway between Duluth and the Canadian border. It can easily be reached via Minn. Hwy 61.

Among the many great trails in the Silver Bay area are:
g C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail (Cramer segments) – Go southwest for 0.6 miles (1.2-miles round trip) to Rock Creek Cut in Finland State Forest or head northeast, partially through George H. Crosby Manitou State Park, to the creek flowing out of Kowalski Lake. Park at the lot off of County Road 7 south of the Manitou River.
g C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail (Finland segments) – Head west for 2.5 miles (5-miles round trip) to the Baptism River or walk northeast for 1.7 miles (3.4-miles round trip) to Egge Creek. Parking is available off of County Road 7 just south of Airbase Road; take the connecting trail northwest to the trail running through Finland State Forest.
g Gitchi-Gami State Trail (Beaver Bay Segment) – The north end of the 14.1-mile trail begins in downtown Beaver Bay off of Minn. Hwy. 61 south/west of Slater Drive. Hike the trail as far south as you like; the creek south of Pine Bay Loop makes a good turnback point for a little more than 4-mile round trip.
g Gitchi-Gami State Trail (Silver Bay Trail Segment) – From Rukavina Arena on Outer Drive in Silver Bay, head 2.3 miles (4.6-miles round trip) south/west to West Road in Beaver Bay. Parking is available near the arena.
g High Falls Trail – The 3.2-mile round trip trail heads to a 70-foot high waterfall in Tettegouche State Park. Along the way, it passes two smaller waterfalls and a rapids on the Baptism River.
g Palisades Head Trail – Hikers can walk alongside the road leading to Palisades Head, a dramatic cliff that rises 300 feet above Lake Superior. Park in the lot off of Minn. Hwy. 61 for the 0.6 miles round trip in Tettegouche State Park.
g Shovel Point Trail – An incredible view of Lake Superior atop billion-year-old rock awaits day hikers on the 1.1-miles round trip trail in Tettegouche State Park. A fairly flat trail, it’s a wonderful autumn walk when the shoreline leaves turn an array of yellows.
g Superior Hiking Trail (Beaver Bay to Sulheim's Overlook segment) – A section of the North Shore trail runs 2.25-miles round trip past a cascades on Beaver River and a beaver pond. Pick up the trail off of County Road 4 (aka Lax Lake Road) about 0.8 miles north of Minn. Hwy. 61 in Beaver Bay.
g Superior Hiking Trail (Twin Lakes segment) – This 6-miles round trip section of the trail passes scenic Bean and Bear lakes. Park at the trail access lot off of Penn Boulevard (aka County Roads 5 and 11) north of County Road 61 and head northeast, turning back at the end of Bear Lake.
g Tettegouche Camp Trail – Day hikers can explore the upper portion of Tettegouche State Park on a 3-miles round trip trail that heads to Mic Mac Lake. Park at the trailhead off of County Road 31 just north of Nicadoo Creek. Several connecting trails can be added to increase the distance and sights seen.

Read more about day hiking Northeast Minnesota in my Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.

'Highest waterfall entirely within Minnesota’

High Falls in Tettagouche State Park.
Photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR.

Three waterfalls, cascades await hikers in state park

A trail to a 70-foot high waterfall awaits day hikers in Minnesota’s Tettegouche State Park.

High Falls Trail

Located on the North Shore, the High Falls Trail, including a couple of spurs, runs 3.2-mile round trip, as it heads past three falls and rapids. Though unnamed on park maps, the popular trail is christened here after what most hiker taking it come to see – the High Falls.

To reach the trailhead, from Silver Bay drive north on Minn. Hwy. 61. After crossing the Baptism River, turn right/southeast into the park. Veer right/south on the park road and pass the visitor center, heading into a wooded area. Park in the pullout lot on the road’s right/northwest side. You can pick up the trailhead on the lot’s southwest side.

Baptism River gorge
Take a right onto the trail, heading northwest. The trail goes under Hwy. 61 and parallels the Baptism River.

A short spur heads to the scenic river’s shore. The Baptism runs a mere 8.8 miles, as it flows from the Minnesota Arrowhead’s uplands then through a gorge of ancient rock into Lake Superior.

From the spur, the main trail curves northeast and quickly gains in elevation until it follows the rim overlooking the Baptism River gorge.

Below the rim are the Cascades, a set of rapids in the Baptism River. The hard black rock the river tumbles through is more than a billion years old.

Farther up the river, the trail passes Two Steps Falls, a pair of small waterfalls that flow into a large pool. The pool then drains downhill as the river rushes toward Lake Superior. A spur trial leads downhill to an overlook of the falls.

'Controversial' High Falls
Continuing north on the main trail, the route reaches the Superior Hiking Trail. Go left/west on that trail to High Falls.

One of four waterfalls in the park, High Falls is an impressive sight as it drops more than six stories over a black basalt cliff capped by stately evergreens.

There is some controversy over the bragging rights to the highest waterfall in Minnesota. Some would argue the tallest is the 120-foot high High Falls on the Pigeon River in Grand Portage State Park. As part of that waterfalls is technically in Ontario, however, the same-named High Falls on the Baptism River sometimes is advertised as “the highest waterfall entirely within Minnesota.”

A trail bridge crosses the Baptism above the falls, offering a dramatic view of the river valley below. The bridge also marks a good spot to turn around on this out-and-back trail.

Read more about day hiking Northeast Minnesota in my Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.

Get up close & personal with Lake Superior

Gitchi-Gami State Trail's Silver Creek Cliff Segment.
Photo courtesy of Minnesota DNR.

Incredible views of Lake Superior await day hikers of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail on Minnesota’s North Shore.

As of 2013, about 29.5 miles of the paved bicycle path – which also can be used for day hiking – runs along the world’s largest freshwater lake from Two Harbors to Grand Marais. Plans call for 88.2-mile route.

Construction began in 2001 with segments added every year since, largely thanks to the work of the nonprofit Gitchi-Gami Trail Association in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Transportation. It largely parallels State Hwy. 61.

Following are segments of the route, from north to south, that can be day hiked.

Two Harbors area
g Silver Creek Cliff Segment – The 1-mile round trip trail makes use of the Old Hwy. 61 roadbed and offers a 4000-foot vista of Lake Superior. Park at the Silver Creek Wayside Park and walk south/west to the western end of of Silver Creek Cliff.
g Gooseberry Falls State Park Segment – The southwest end of a 14.1-mile one–way segment begins at the state park. It can be picked up at either the park’s lower level parking lot or at the visitor center and walked to the Twin Points Wayside for about a 4.5-mile round trip.
g Twin Points Wayside segments – The trail can be hiked either south to Gooseberry Falls State Park (4.5-miles round trip) or north to Split Rock Lighthouse State Park’s West Split Rock River (a little more than 4-miles round trip). Parking is available at the wayside.
g Split Rock Lighthouse State Park segments – From the visitor center, either go south to West Split Rock River within the park (about 4.5-miles round trip) or north to Gold Rock Point (a little more than 4-miles round trip). Park at the visitor center.

Silver Bay area
g Beaver Bay Segment – The north end of the 14.1-mile trail begins in downtown Beaver Bay off of State Hwy. 61 south/west of Slater Drive. Hike the trail as far south as you like; the creek south of Pine Bay Loop makes a good turnaround for a little more than 4-mile round trip.
g Silver Bay Trail Segment – From Rukavina Arena on Outer Drive in Silver Bay, head 2.3 miles (4.6-miles round trip) south/west to West Road in Beaver Bay. Parking is available near the arena.

Schroeder area
g Temperance River Segment – The trail runs north/east through Temperance River State Park and the Temperance River gorge. At 3.1 miles (6.2-miles round trip), it can be accessed with parking at the MnDOT wayside in Schroeder.

Tofte area
g Tofte Segment – Starting at Tofte Town Park, the trail heads north/east. Leaveaux Creek is about 2 miles away for a 4-mile round trip.
g Ray Berglund State Park segments – Parking at the wayside, either head south/west to Leaveaux Creek for a 4-mile round trip or north/east to Rollins Creek for a 2-mile round trip.

Lutsen area
g Lutsen Segment – The trail heads south/west from Lutsen Ski Hill Road. Take it to Rollins Creek for a 3-mile round trip. Park at the designated GGST parking area.

Grand Marais area
g Grand Marais Segment – Park in downtown Grand Marais near the trailhead off of State Hwy. 61 near Eighth Avenue. Head south/west until the trail runs out for a 3-mile round trip.

Read more about day hiking Northeast Minnesota in my Headin’ to the Cabin: Day Hiking Trails of Northeast Minnesota guidebook.