By Eli Simmer, 2018 Thru-Hiker
The Superior Hiking Trail is a 300-mile point-to-point hike in Minnesota best hiked in spring, summer, or fall. The trail is well-marked, the camping and water is plentiful, and it can be hiked in 2-4 weeks.
Region: Great Lakes Midwest (Minnesota; a variety of land ownership)
Length: 300 miles (15-30 days)
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
- Generally good tread for most of trail
- Lots of elevation change in some sections
- Trail can be rocky, muddy, and full of roots
- Challenging weather possible, especially during shoulder seasons
Logistical Difficulty: Easy
- No permit needed
- Shuttles available to terminuses and throughout trail
- Many well-spaced town and resupply options
- Plentiful water year-round
Season: Spring, summer, fall
Elevation: 600 to 1,800 feet
Total Elevation Gain: ~43,000 feet
Hiking the Superior Hiking Trail
The Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) follows the North Shore of Lake Superior in Minnesota, from the southern terminus at the border with Wisconsin to the northern terminus near the border with Canada. The topography may seem unexpectedly varied for the Midwest, as the “Sawtooth Mountains”—though topping out around 2,000 feet—give the trail a bit of cumulative elevation gain. The boreal forest, lake views, and expanses of wild lands give the trail a scenic and unique character. This is an accessible trail that’s also worthwhile for the experienced hiker.
The SHT’s southern terminus is at the border of Wisconsin, where tread continues east as part of the 4,700-mile North Country Trail. From there, the trail goes through wooded Jay Cooke State Park and soon enters the 85,000-person city of Duluth—unusually urban for a long trail, but worthwhile in showcasing the city’s high-quality urban parks and trail network and allowing the hungry hiker ample opportunities for restaurant food. Hotel stays and private/state park camping required here. North out of Duluth, hikers will enter the backcountry, where there are free Superior Hiking Trail Association-maintained campsites through 250 miles of uninterrupted forest trail.
The trail is well-constructed, blue-blazed, and maintained with ample signage. Sights include views of Lake Superior (including 1.5 miles of lakeshore near the northern end), roaring rivers and imposing cliffs, tall stands of pine and other boreal trees, and the possibility of seeing moose, wolves, bears, and more. Some sections are flatter while others involve lots of elevation gain and loss over constant ups and downs. Tread is generally good, but is at times rough and muddy, depending on conditions.
A northbound hike allows for an increasing sense of ruggedness as the hiker approaches the remote northern terminus, whereas a southbound hike brings the city of Duluth and its comforts closer as the hike goes on.
How to Get to the Superior Hiking Trail
Northern Terminus here
Southern Terminus here
This is a simple trail to access. If flying to MSP airport in St. Paul-Minneapolis, Groome Transportation or Jefferson Bus Lines can get you to Duluth, Minnesota.
A shuttle from Superior Shuttle Service or Harriet Quarles Transportation can get you to the northern or southern terminus (or the skip-Duluth southern) terminus from Duluth, or any trailhead in between and arrange for a ride back.
When to Hike the Superior Hiking Trail
The SHT’s hiking season is the typical spring-fall window, though extreme-cold winter hiking is done on the SHT. A summer hike can be muggy and mosquitoes will be a constant factor, though bug pressure lessens by late August, but the lush forest and comfortable temperature range make this a fine time to hike.
Spring and fall are usually preferred for their lack of bugs, with fall having the bonus possibility of incredible leaf colors. There’s always a risk of extended wet weather on the trail, which can really push comfort and safety levels in the shoulder seasons—snow is possible in May or October.
Superior Trail Terrain
Expect boreal forest, cliffside hiking, lakeshore views, and even urban road walks. The trail is low in elevation, never cresting 2,000 feet, but the shorter ups and downs through the forest can add up. Tread and trail maintenance is usually superb, but be ready for sections of mud and some rooty, rocky miles.
Logistics: Permits, Camping, Water, Resupply
Permits: The SHT does not require any permits. There are a variety of landowners along the trail, including county, state, federal, and private land, but the trail is permit-free throughout and the campsites are frequent, conveniently spaced, and free north of Duluth.
Camping: Outside of the 50-mile section through Jay Cooke State Park and Duluth, where campsite reservations and hotels are necessary, campsites are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis. A hiker will usually have some company on weekends near popular trailheads, but there will always be room, especially for a solo hiker or a pair of thru-hikers.
Care should be taken to respect landowners, but this is of no concern to the hiker staying on trail and camping at designated sites.
Water: There are plenty of streams and water is predictably plentiful in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, but heavy beaver presence demands appropriate water treatment. Hikers will notice obvious water sources on their maps that can be relied upon. Again, extra consideration will be necessary when hiking through the city of Duluth, where park fountains (and potentially brewery stops) will be necessary to assure hydration.
Resupply: Food resupplies for the thru-hiker are easy to plan and manage. Many towns/resupply locations are within walking distance or a short hitch off trail and are friendly tourist spots. Post offices, grocery stores, restaurants, and lodging are all widely available. Further resources linked below.
Know Before You Go
Thru-hike designation: I’ve described a “full” thru-hike beginning at the Wisconsin border, but it’s generally accepted as legit if a hiker starts/finishes north of Duluth in order to avoid the complications of urban hiking. However, the northern terminus must be part of a thru-hike.
The SHT is not remote, but it’s not easy: The SHT is like the Appalachian Trail in that it’s never too remote, except near the northern terminus, making it seem deceptively “easy” to hike, when in reality weather, bugs, rough trail and terrain can be quite challenging at times.
Extension options: The SHT, in addition to being a part of the North Country NST, connects with the Border Route Trail that leads to the Kekekabic Trail, allowing a hiker to continue another 110 miles across the extremely remote and rugged Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness—a highly recommended addition if possible.
Resources
The Superior Hiking Trail has a great trail association and a highly informative website.
Superior Hiking Trail Shuttles
Superior Trail resupply info can be found here
Eli Simmer lives in St. Paul, Minnesota, and has thru-hiked the Superior Hiking Trail three times, among other trails.
