Superior Hiking Trail (Duluth section)
Runs the Duluth ridgeline from Jay Cooke State Park northeast past the Lester River, Duluth, MN
About Superior Hiking Trail (Duluth section)
The Superior Hiking Trail runs roughly 270 miles from its southern terminus near the Wisconsin border northeast toward the Canadian border, by the Superior Hiking Trail Association's own section mileage, and one of its most unusual stretches passes straight through Duluth. The in-city section follows the ridgeline above the neighborhoods for roughly 43 miles, crossing every creek gorge on the way: Mission, Kingsbury, Keene, Chester, Tischer, Amity, and finally the Lester River.
For residents this is not a backpacking trip, it is a lunch break. Trailheads sit on Skyline Parkway and at the major parks, so a section hike of two or three miles is available from most east-side and hillside neighborhoods without driving. Lester Park is the main access point at the northeast end, where the trail crosses the river gorge and continues up the shore toward Two Harbors.
Footing is classic North Shore: rock, root, and mud in spring, with real climbs at each ravine. The trail is maintained by the Superior Hiking Trail Association with volunteer crews and section adopters. It is open year-round and gets meaningful winter use on snowshoes.
Good to know: ridgeline overlooks, creek gorge crossings, Skyline Parkway trailheads, connection to the full Superior Hiking Trail, roughly 270 miles.
Access: Lester Park, Martin Road, Hawk Ridge and Skyline Parkway trailheads, Chester Park, Enger Park
Neighborhoods it serves
Nine miles of trail, two rivers, and a waterfall you can hear from the driveway.
LakesideDuluth's dry-town-turned-walkable-village, three blocks from the big lake.
Congdon ParkOld money, old elms, and a creek out the back door.
Chester ParkA creek gorge with waterfalls out the back door, two college campuses up the hill, and east-side housing at less than half the Congdon price.
Hunter's ParkTurrets, curving streets, and Hartley Park at the end of the block.
PiedmontRocky singletrack out the back door, harbor views out the front.
Fond du LacThe oldest community in Duluth, 14 miles from downtown, at the bottom of the lake.
Where these facts come from
- Superior Hiking Trail Association, trail sections accessed 2026-08-14
Last reviewed 2026-08-14 by Guide editorial.