Duluth to Thunder Bay: 3 Great Hikes in Northeast Minnesota

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Venture to the wild northeast corner of Minnesota and you’ll discover the stunning Lake Superior. Stretching across the US-Canada border, this scenic shoreline is home to vast forests, lakes, and rivers that make up the state parks and boundary waters between Duluth, Minnesota, and Thunder Bay, Canada.

With one of the country's most diverse state park systems – including more than 227,000 acres in 76 parks and 1,030 miles of hiking trails – the Land of 10,000 Lakes is a world-renowned nature lover's paradise.

Duluth hiking routes remain much the same as when early fur trappers first ventured to the area at the turn of the 1700s. Not sure where to start? Check out some of our favorite trails below.

The Superior Hiking Trail

The name of this trail is also its most apt description. Considered one of the top 10 hiking trails in the U.S. and the world – the Superior Hiking Trail runs for 310 miles through some of the state's most rugged and spectacular landscapes.

Whether you’re planning a short hike or a week-long backpacking adventure, there’s a trail for you. Choose the 42-mile route between Two Harbors and Silver Bay or opt for a day trek with trailheads located every five to 10 miles. Campsites, lodges and public facilities can also be found along the trail when you need a break.

Fancy a challenge? Follow the lead of other long-distance hikers on the ‘Appalachian Trail of the North’. Just be prepared for two to four weeks of arduous ascending and descending, as you navigate the entire trail. Start at Wild Valley Road trailhead south of Duluth[DS(S1] , and then head northeast the rest of the way. On your right, take in incredible views as you walk along the bluffs overlooking Lake Superior. The sun-dappled trail winds through a forest of oak, maple, pine, fir, aspen, birch, and cedar, and crosses several dozen rivers and brooks. You also pass stunning waterfalls, steep canyons and the looming Sawtooth Mountains.

Enjoy fields of colorful wildflowers and an assortment of edible berries on a summer hike or wait for fall’s fiery reds and oranges. Wildlife is abundant along the trail and includes white-tailed deer, moose, eagles, owls, timber wolves, and black bears. Otter Lake Road trailhead near the Canadian border is the end of the line.

Gitchi-Gami State Trail

Join us on a journey to Gooseberry Falls, one of the most popular and beautiful attractions on Lake Superior's north shore. Start at the colorful agate rock beach at the mouth of Gooseberry River, and follow the winding, 2.5-mile path along the shore to the falls. Stop for a rest or continue north on the paved Gitchi-Gami State Trail for 14 miles from Gooseberry Falls State Park to the town of Beaver Bay.

Along the way, you can also explore Split Rock Lighthouse State Park on a hike up Split Rock River – past  waterfalls, rapids, and river-cut gorges of pink rhyolite rock. Don't miss the historic Split Rock Lighthouse, an iconic symbol of the north shore, set on a rock cliff that juts out into the lake.

Eagle Mountain Trail

Sitting tall at the highest point in Minnesota at 2,301 feet, Eagle Mountain is in the middle of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, within the larger Superior National Forest. The 3.5-mile trail is well-marked but rocky and rugged in spots.

The hike is worth the effort for the spectacular views of several surrounding lakes, including Shrike, Eagle, and Zoo as well as Lake Superior farther south. Capture your accomplishment with a photo of the highpoint plaque mounted on a boulder that's said to be more than a billion years old.

Learn more about the natural bounty of Minnesota and other destinations on the Hertz travel blog. Ready to start your hiking adventure? Reserve car rental in Duluth with Hertz today.