Minnesota's Great Long Trail
The Superior Hiking Trail is the Appalachian Trail of the Midwest — 310 miles of maintained trail running along the ridgeline above Lake Superior's Minnesota shore from Duluth to the Canadian border. Unlike its eastern counterpart, it's nearly empty, passes through genuine wilderness, and has a free shuttle system operated by the Superior Hiking Trail Association (SHTA) that makes point-to-point sections easy. The Tettegouche to Grand Marais section is the scenic heart of the trail: ridge-top walking with lake views, river gorges, waterfalls, and the remote beauty of the Arrowhead region.
Trip Overview
- Duration: 7 days / 6 nights
- Distance: ~75 miles (10-12 miles/day)
- Start: Tettegouche State Park trailhead, Silver Bay, MN
- Finish: Grand Marais, MN
- Shuttle: Free SHTA hiker shuttle on weekends (July-September). Weekdays: arrange shuttle through Duluth Pack outfitters or leave a car at each end.
- Permit: No camping permit required on state forest lands. Tettegouche State Park campsite requires a reservation.
- Best months: June–October; September is peak for fall color and bugs-free conditions
Day 1 — Tettegouche to Baptism River (11 miles)
Begin at the Tettegouche State Park trailhead and climb immediately onto the Superior Highlands. The trail crosses the Baptism River — Minnesota's highest waterfall, High Falls (70 ft), is a short detour — then follows the ridge above Lake Superior with open views toward the Apostle Islands. Camp at the backcountry site above Bean and Bear Lakes.
Day 2 — Baptism River to Finland (10 miles)
A ridgeline day through mixed boreal forest. The trail crosses County Road 6 near Finland, MN — resupply possible at Finland Co-op. Views open up repeatedly toward the lake, and the trail passes through several stands of old birch that turn gold in late September.
Day 3 — Finland to Crosby-Manitou (12 miles)
One of the most remote sections of the trail. Crosby-Manitou State Park is the wildest of Minnesota's North Shore parks — no car camping, hike-in only. The Manitou River gorge section features dramatic basalt cliffs above the river. Camp at the Crosby-Manitou backcountry sites on the ridge above the gorge.
Day 4 — Crosby-Manitou to Temperance River (11 miles)
Cross the Temperance River at its spectacular gorge — the river has carved deep potholes into the basalt over thousands of years (Temperance River State Park, 4.7★ on AllTrails, 2,400+ reviews). The gorge trail is a short but stunning detour. Camp above the river in the state forest.
Day 5 — Temperance River to Lutsen (10 miles)
The Lutsen Mountains area offers the best ridge walking of the entire section — the Superior Highlands here rise to nearly 1,600 feet above the lake, and on clear days the Wisconsin shore is visible 30 miles away. Lutsen Resort is accessible from trail for a warm meal and beer before returning to the backcountry site.
Day 6 — Lutsen to Judge CR Magney State Park (12 miles)
Judge CR Magney State Park is home to Devil's Kettle — a waterfall where the Brule River splits, and one half disappears into a pothole and has never been traced to its outlet. An unsolved geological mystery. Camp at the state park backcountry site above the gorge.
Day 7 — Magney to Grand Marais (9 miles)
The final section follows the Devil Track River canyon — a hidden gorge accessible only from the trail — before emerging above Grand Marais harbor. Walk down into town for the finish. Grand Marais has excellent food (Angry Trout Café for lake trout, Dockside Fish Market for smoked whitefish), gear shops, and the Gunflint Trail for extended options.
Gear Notes
Water sources are abundant (rivers and streams) but filter everything. Bear canisters not required but a bear hang is standard. Trekking poles essential for the ridge descents. Pack rain gear — Lake Superior creates its own weather systems. The SHTA sells detailed waterproof maps of each section.
