1. CARIBOU FALLS 

• Moderate; 1.5 mile • Access: Wayside rest off Hwy. 61, 8 miles south of Schroeder 

A pleasant walk along the Caribou River leads to Caribou Falls. Continue 

along the Superior Hiking Trail or return to the wayside parking area. 

 2. SUGARLOAF INTERPRETIVE TRAIL

• Easy; 1.5 mile • Access: Hwy. 61, 6 miles south of Schroeder

Trail travels through woods and along ledge rock to Sugarloaf Beach. Trail 

guide available at parking area. 

 3. CROSS RIVER TRAIL 

• Moderate; 0.5 mile • Access: Cross River wayside rest, Highway 61 

Here’s a gradual climb with great views of the river gorge. Continue up 

river over the snowmobile trail to explore further, or return on the hiking trail 

to Highway 61. 

 4. TEMPERANCE RIVER

• Moderate; 6 miles, various trails • Access: Temperance River State Park 

Trails wind along both sides of the river past eight pools and seven overlooks 

with sheer rocky ledges. It’s easy hiking, but use caution. Maps are 

available at Temperance River State Park. 

 5. CARLTON PEAK

• Moderate; 3 miles • Access: Sawbill Trail (Co. Rd. 2) 

Gradual at first, then steep. This forest hike takes you to great views of Lake 

Superior. Steep cliffs at top; use caution with small children. 

 6. BRITTON PEAK

• Difficult but short; 0.3 miles • Access: Sawbill Trail (Co. Rd. 2) 

A short climb offers you a great view of Lake Superior. Steep cliffs at top; 

use caution with small children. 

 7. RAY BERGLUND WAYSIDE REST

• Moderate; 0.5 mile • Access: Wayside stop, Highway 61 

Follow the Onion River along this scenic path. 

 8. OBERG & LEVEAUX MOUNTAIN NATIONAL RECREATIONAL 

TRAILS

• Moderate; Oberg 2.2 miles, Leveaux 3.4 miles • Access: Forest Road 336 

Both trails begin at the same parking lot off Forest Road 336. High 

overlooks along Oberg give great views of Lake Superior, Oberg Lake, and 

Moose Mountain. Steep cliffs at top; use caution with small children. 

Leveaux Trail follows a ridge rising 1,000 feet above Lake Superior. Fall 

color is fabulous on both trails. 

 9. WHITE SKY ROCK

• Moderate; 1 mile • Access: Caribou Trail (Co. Rd. 4) 

A steep hike to the cliff tops offers a panoramic view of Caribou Lake. It’s a 

spectacular fall color hike. 

 10. CASCADE RIVER HIKES

• Moderate to difficult; 18 miles, various loops • Access: Cascade State Park, Highway 61 

Hiking along both sides of the river gorge with views of the waterfalls. 

Other trails follow the rocky terrain along Lake Superior or wind through the 

forest to Lookout Mountain. Maps are available at Cascade State Park. 

 11. EAGLE MOUNTAIN TRAIL

• Moderate to difficult; 7miles • Access: Forest Road 170 • Requires self-issuing day permit or overnight camping permit for 

wilderness entry 

Eagle Mountain, at 2,031 feet, is the highest point in Minnesota. The trail is 

rocky at its beginning and climbs in the last mile for a view of the 

surrounding hills, lakes, and creeks. Most of the trail is in the Boundary 

Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. Two developed campsites are found on 

Whale Lake at the base of the mountain. 

 12. SWEETHEARTS BLUFF

• Easy to difficult; 1 mile • Access: Grand Marais Municipal Recreation Area 

The trail starts at the far west end of the trailer park. It’s a one-mile hike 

with picnic shelters and beautiful views of the harbor and shoreline. 

13. ARTISTS POINT & LIGHTHOUSE

• Easy; 0.5 mile • Access U.S. Coast Guard Station, Grand Marais 

Exploring the shoreline rocks beneath the breakwater will reveal names of 

visitors back to 1892. Walk the trails to the east along Artist’s Point and 

enjoy the sights and sounds of the boreal forest. Walk west along a wide 

cement pier to the lighthouse. Be sure to take your camera. 

 14. PINCUSHION MOUNTAIN TRAILS

• Easy to difficult; 15 miles, various loops • Access: Gunflint Trail (Co. Rd. 12), turn right on Co. Rd. 53 

Take the loop to Pincushion Mountain for a view of the Devil Track River 

gorge and a panorama of Lake Superior. Connections can be made here with 

the Superior Hiking Trail. 

 15. DEVIL TRACK RIVER TRAIL

• Moderate; 10 miles • Access: 4 miles east of Grand Marais on Hwy. 61 with a left on 

Lindskoog Rd (Co. Rd. 58) for one mile 

Hike 1.5 miles to the canyon, 2.5 miles to the foot bridge, or 5 miles to 

Pincushion Mountain. 

What a nice day for a hike!

Pine trees, birch forests, rugged hills, wooded bogs, and 

even a great lake - this area has it all for the hiker. From 

day hikes of an hour or less, to extended backpacking trips, 

come and enjoy any of the beautiful trails northeastern 

Minnesota has to offer. These trails include those 

maintained by the USDA Forest Service, National Park 

Service, Minnesota DNR and State Parks, and local 

municipalities. See the keyed map inside for approximate 

locations of trails, but stop at a ranger station or park 

headquarters for a Forest Map to find your way to the 

trailhead and to inquire about trail maps.

Hiking Gunflint 

Tofte 

SUPERIOR NATIONAL FOREST NORTH SHORE AREA TOFTE & GRAND MARAIS, MN 

8/07/07 SAR 
Superior National Forest: Hiking Gunflint &Tofte 

More Trails 

 16. GEORGE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL PINES

• Easy; 3 miles 

• Access: Gunflint Trail (Co. Rd. 12) 

The trail is an old road through a tall pine stand. It turns at Elbow Creek and 

follows the creek before winding back into the forest. The trail crosses a 

swamp; if you don’t want to get your feet wet, you’ll have to turn around. 

 17. NORTHERN LIGHT OVERLOOK TRAIL

• Difficult but short; 1 mile 

• Access: Gunflint Trail (Co. Rd. 12) 

Climb one-half-mile to the top of Blueberry Hill. Outstanding vistas in 

several directions above Northern Light Lake. 

 18. DANIELS LAKE TRAIL

• Easy; 1.5 mile 

• Access: Trailhead at West Bearskin Lake Boat Landing or 

Clearwater Lake Boat Landing 

• Requires self-issuing day permit for wilderness entry 

Access to the Border Route Trail. Public parking is available 3⁄4 mile from 

either trailhead. 

 19. HONEYMOON BLUFF TRAIL

• Difficult but short; 1.5 mile 

• Access: Clearwater Lake Road (Co. Rd. 66), near Flour Lake 

Campground 

Here’s a short but steep walk to a beautiful overlook above Hungry Jack 

Lake. Try a sunset hike, and be sure to take in the colorful view in autumn. 

20. CARIBOU ROCK TRAIL

• Moderate to difficult; 1.5 or 7 miles 

• Access: Hungry Jack Lake Road (Co. Rd. 65)

• Requires self-issuing day permit for wilderness entry 

A 3⁄4 mile well-traveled walk takes you to a beautiful overlook of West 

Bearskin Lake, another 3/8 mile hike and you are at an overlook of Moss 

Lake. Continue walking over rugged and scenic terrain to Stairway Portage 

and Rose Lake. 

 21. SOUTH LAKE TRAIL

• Moderate; 7 miles 

• Access: Gunflint Trail (Co. Rd. 12) near Poplar Lake 

• Requires self-issuing day permit for wilderness entry

Entry point permit required for overnight use 

Extending from Poplar to South Lake, a portion of the trail is in the 

Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The trail passes over Partridge 

Lake with a developed overnight campsite. View tall red and white pines 

along the trail in the sections where it passes through the old forests. 

 22. TOPPER LAKE TRAILHEAD / MUCKER LAKE TRAIL

• Easy; 1.5 miles; or 6 miles to Mucker Lake 

• Access: End of Forest Road 317

• Requires self-issuing day permit for wilderness entry 

Topper Lake is nestled among hills. Mucker Lake Trail intersects the Border 

Route Trail at South Lake. 

 23. CRAB LAKE TRAIL

• Easy; 8 miles 

• Access: Loon Lake Lodge side road (just past lodge) 

• Requires self-issuing day permit for wilderness entry

Access to Border Route Trail. 

 24. GUNFLINT LAKE TRAILS

• Moderate to difficult; 26 miles, various loops 

• Access: Loon Lake Landing or one of the resorts along Gunflint 

Lake. 

High Cliffs Trail and South Rim Trail have spectacular views of Gunflint 

Lake and the Canadian shore. Get the feel of the forest as you hike through 

dense growth between ridges. Maps are essential. Pick one up from an area 

resort before starting out. 

 25. MAGNETIC ROCK TRAIL

• Easy; 3 miles 

• Access: Gunflint Trail (Co. Rd. 12) 

• Requires self-issuing day permit for wilderness entry 

Hike across Larch Creek to Magnetic Rock. The trail passes through 3 major 

disturbances: the 1999 blowdown, 2002 prescribed burn, and 2007 Ham Lake 

wildfire. Look for young jack pine and fire specialist woodpeckers. 

Magnetic Rock is a 60-foot rock with strong magnetic attraction. Bring your 

compass and test the magnetism. The trail continues to connect with the 

Gunflint Lake Trails. Use a trail map for hiking past Magnetic Lake. 

 28. KADUNCE RIVER TRAIL

• Easy; 1.5 mile 

• Access: Hwy 61 E at Kadunce Wayside, 9 miles from Grand Marais 

Easy hiking takes you through the woods and along a river gorge. Take a 

fishing pole – stream fishing is good. Connects to Superior Hiking Trail. 

 29. DEVIL’S KETTLE TRAIL

• Moderate; lots of stairways; 2.5 miles 

• Access: Highway 61 at Judge C.R. Magney State Park 

The trail follows the Brule River with vistas of waterfalls and rapids. The 

50-foot waterfall at the Devil’s Kettle mysteriously disappears into a hole in 

the basalt bedrock. Connects to Superior Hiking Trail. 

 31. THE GRAND PORTAGE

• Moderate to difficult; 16 miles 

• Access: Grand Portage National Monument 

This historic trail, in use for hundreds of years, was used by Native 

Americans, European explorers, and fur trade-era Voyageurs. It winds 

through heavily wooded terrain and rises 630 feet from Lake Superior to the 

Pigeon River. A one-way hike takes approximately five hours. Campsites at 

historic Fort Charlotte on the Pigeon River require a permit, obtained free 

from the National Park Service. A separate brochure describing the portage 

is available at the Great Hall inside the historic stockade area of the Grand 

Portage National Monument. 

 32. MOUNT ROSE TRAIL

• Difficult but short; 1 mile 

• Access: Grand Portage National Monument, Grand Portage 

A self-guiding brochure is available for the hike. Climbing 300 vertical feet 

along a paved pathway, you’ll see many fine vistas of the bay and the historic 

fur trade headquarters. Wayside exhibit panels explain the history of the fur 

trade at Grand Portage. 

 33. PARTRIDGE FALLS

• Easy; 10 miles 

• Access: Mineral Center Rd. (Co. Rd. 72) to Partridge Falls Rd. 

A five-mile walk along the Partridge River flats brings you to a beautiful 40-

foot waterfall on the Pigeon River. 

 34. GRAND PORTAGE STATE PARK

• Easy and handicapped accessible 

• High Falls Trail – 0.5 mile; Middle Falls Trail – 3.5 miles 

• Access: Grand Portage State Park 

The High Falls Trail begins at the park office and goes north along the 

Pigeon River. A 700-foot boardwalk provides easy access on the last part of 

the trail. Three overlooks (one wheelchair accessible) give awesome views 

of the 120-foot waterfall. The Middle Falls Trail begins at the park office 

and is a winding scenic trail that takes visitors over ridge tops, through 

heavily wooded forest, and along the river bank. Visitors will appreciate the 

semi-mountainous terrain with its breathtaking views of the river gorge and 

Lake Superior. 

35. MOUNT JOSEPHINE TRAIL

• Difficult; 1.5 mile 

• Access: Co. Rd. 17, Grand Portage Village 

After parking in the lot adjacent to Co. Rd. 17, walk one-quarter mile to the 

trailhead. From there, a difficult 30-minute switchback climbs 800 feet, but 

it’s worth the effort. The top provides a glorious panorama of Lake Superior, 

Pigeon Point, Isle Royale, and the Susie Islands. 

8/07/07 SAR 
26. SUPERIOR HIKING TRAIL

• Moderate to difficult; 200 miles 

• Access: Various locations 

This long distance trail follows the Lake Superior shore from Two 

Harbors to the Canadian border. Spring brings a carpet of 

wildflowers, summer brings a harvest of berries, and fall offers a 

panorama of color. There are spectacular vistas of Lake Superior, 

memorable silhouettes of the Sawtooth Mountain Range, and 

breathtaking glimpses of wild rivers as they cascade over waterfalls 

through rocky gorges. Trailheads are located at most County Road 

crossings and state parks. Current maps are available at U.S. Forest 

Service offices, state park offices, local resorts and businesses, and 

from the Superior Hiking Trail Association in Two Harbors, MN. 

27. KEKEKABIC TRAIL

• Moderate; 37 miles, various loops 

• Access: Gunflint Trail (Co. Rd. 12) 40 miles from Grand 

Marais 

• Requires self-issuing day permit for wilderness entry; entry 

point permit required for overnight use 

The trail extends from the Gunflint Trail to County Road 18 near Ely. 

The trail passes through the 2007 Ham Lake wildfire and is a good 

chance to see post fire ecology. Post fire soils are fragile, please stay 

on the trail. 

 30. BORDER ROUTE TRAIL

• Moderate to difficult; 70 miles 

• Access: Gunflint Trail (Co. Rd. 12) 

• Requires self-issuing day permit for wilderness entry; entry 

point permit required for overnight use 

The trail extends from a trailhead on the Gunflint Trail to the Pigeon 

River below South Fowl Lake. Most of the trail passes through the 

BWCAW (requires overnight permits for camping). It’s moderately 

rugged terrain, with many rock ledges and spectacular views. The 

trail passes through the 2007 Ham Lake wildfire and is a good chance 

to see post fire ecology. Post fire soils are fragile, please stay on the 

trail. Windfalls are to be expected, and it may be difficult to follow 

the trail. Campsites can be found along lakeshores. For current trail 

conditions and maps, contact the U.S. Forest Service in Grand Marais. 

42. POWWOW TRAIL

• Half easy on old roadbed, N &NW portions difficult; 29 miles 

• Access: FR 377, 17 mi N of Isabella 

• Requires self-issuing day permit for wilderness 

entry; entry point permit required for overnight use 

This loop leaves from the Isabella Lake parking area and passes 

through both forest and bogs. Be prepared for bugs and wet 

conditions. Trail may be brushed over in sections, bring a good map, 

compass, and GPS if available. 

If you’re hiking into the Boundary 

Waters Canoe Area Wilderness... 

• A permit is required for both overnight and day 

use. 

• Limit of 9 people in a group. 

• No cans or bottles. 

• Overnight hikers must camp at a campsite (see 

map) or at least 150 feet from the trail or 

lakeshore. 

• Fires, when allowed, only in the fire grates at 

campsites. Check for fire restrictions. 

• There are no trail signs in the wilderness. Use a 

topographic map and compass to guide you.

Wildlife Watching 

If you are lucky, you may see one of northern Minnesota’s specialties: a bear, a moose, a black backed 

woodpecker, or other animal. Regardless of what the 

animal is, respect its space, and enjoy the encounter.

Long 

Distance 

Trails

More Trails

36. NINE MILE LAKE 

• Moderate; 4 mile 

• Access: Lake Co 7, 15 mi east of Tofte 

A nice walk starting across the road from Nine Mile Lake campground. The 

‘loop’ part of the trail may be brushy and hard to follow. 

37. MANITOU OVERLOOK

• Short but steep; 1 mile 

• Access: Forest Rd 361, 10 mi SE of Isabella

Short trail to nice overlook. Rough road access. 

38. DIVIDE LAKE 

• Moderate; 1 mile 

• Access: FR 172 at Divide Lake Campground, 5 mi E of Isabella 

Loop goes around Divide Lake through some marshlands. Several 

designated photo spots. 

39. EIGHTEEN LAKE

• Easy loop around lake; 2 miles 

• Access: FR 369, 4 mi NE of Isabella 

Trail loops around lake starting from boat access. Some shore fishing 

opportunities. 

40. FLATHORN LAKE

• Easy; 2 miles 

• Access: FR 177 (Midiwan Lake Rd, 1 mile N of MN 1 

Nice trail from picnic area. Both big pines and some second growth. 

41. MCDOUGAL LAKE

• Moderate; 1 mile 

• Access: From McDougal Campground off MN 1, 10 mi W of 

Isabella. 

Hike parallels shoreline, then veers into the woods in a circle. Some 

swampy and brushy areas. Trail sees little use, can be hard to locate in 

places. 

43. HOGBACK LAKE

• Moderate; 4 miles 

• Access: FR 172, 12 mi E of Isabella 

Trail loops around lake from boat landing. Several shore fishing spots. 

8/07/07 SAR 

Superior National Forest: Hiking Gunflint &Tofte 
LaCroix Ranger District 

 320 North Hwy 53 

 Cook, MN 55723 

 218-666-0020 Voice and TTY 

Need more information? Tofte Ranger District PO Box 2159 

Tofte, MN 55615 218-663-8060 

Need more information? 

on the web at: 

www.fs.fed.us/r9/superior 

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer 

Gunflint Ranger District 

2020 W Hwy 61 

Grand Marais, MN 55604 

218-387-1750 

Leave No Trace

1. Plan ahead and prepare. 2. Travel and camp on durable 

surfaces. 

3. Dispose of waste properly. 4. Minimize use and impact of 

fires. 

5. Respect wildlife. 6. Leave what you find. 7. Be considerate of other 

visitors.

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