Superior Hiking Trail (North Shore section)
About Superior Hiking Trail (North Shore section)
The Superior Hiking Trail follows the ridge line above Lake Superior for hundreds of miles along Minnesota's North Shore, and it is widely regarded as the best long-distance footpath in the Midwest. The section above Two Harbors and northeast through Gooseberry and Split Rock is among its most accessible.
The trail's character is consistent: climbs to overlooks above the lake, drops into river gorges, and long stretches of quiet boreal forest, with free backcountry campsites spaced for through-hikers and easy day-hike loops for everyone else.
The association that builds and maintains it is headquartered in Two Harbors, on 1st Avenue, which is a small detail with real meaning for anyone living here: the volunteer trail crews, section adopters, and events all run from town.
Good to know: ridge-line footpath, Lake Superior overlooks, river gorges, free backcountry campsites, through-hiking, day-hike loops.
Neighborhoods it serves
The North Shore's working town: ore docks, a lighthouse, and a real grocery store.
Silver BayA whole town built at once in 1954, with the best cliffs on the North Shore behind it.
Knife River212 people, a working harbor, and the smokehouse that has been curing fish here since 1908.
North Shore (Duluth)Duluth's last two miles: lakefront on one side of the road, woods on the other.
LakesideDuluth's dry-town-turned-walkable-village, three blocks from the big lake.
Lester ParkNine miles of trail, two rivers, and a waterfall you can hear from the driveway.
Where these facts come from
- Superior Hiking Trail Association accessed 2026-08-13
Last reviewed 2026-08-13 by Guide editorial.