Guide to the Superior Hiking Trail: Exploring the 300-Mile Footpath on Minnesota's North Shore

by Superior Hiking Trail Association

This guidebook details 300+ miles of wilderness footpath on the North Shore of Lake Superior in northeastern Minnesota. Much of the trail is on the rocky ridgeline overlooking Lake Superior with sweeping vistas of Lake Superior and inland forests, cascading waterfalls and remote lakes. Mile-by-mile descriptions lead the casual hiker or ardent backpacker through forests of birch, maple, spruce, pine and fir—a region thriving with spectacular wildflowers and diverse wildlife. Whether you have two hours or two weeks, an afternoon or a weekend, this guide will enhance your hiking experience. Provided is detailed information on trailhead parking, 90+ backcountry campsites located every five to ten miles that require no fees, permits, or reservations, and a mile-by-mile description of the trail as you hike along. The Superior Hiking Trail goes to numerous scenic spots including Ely's Peak, Hawk Ridge, Bean and Bear Lakes, Mount Trudee, Baptism High Falls, Egge Lake, Sonju Lake, Manitou River, Caribou Falls, Cross River, Carlton Peak, Britton Peak, Oberg Mountain, Cascade River, and Pincushion Mountain. The trail travels through eight Minnesota state parks: Jay Cooke, Gooseberry Falls, Split Rock Lighthouse, Tettegouche, Crosby-Manitou, Temperance River, Cascade River, and Judge Magney. Complete trail maps are included in each section. In addition, it includes a "how-to" chapter on backpacking the trail and a chart with services in the towns close to the trail. It also includes informational chapters on wildflowers, birds, geology, and area history. The trail starts south of Duluth, MN in Jay Cooke State Park, travels through Duluth for 43 miles, and then heads northeast along the North Shore for 255 miles to Canada. Backpacking opportunities with backcountry campsites start at the northern boundary of Duluth. The Guide is written so each section of 5-12 miles can be hiked separately, a longer segment can be hiked, or the entire trail can be thru-hiked.

Genres: Outdoors, Reference, Nonfiction, Travel

238 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 1, 1993

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

7th edition. Very informative guide. I'll be going on my 3rd and longest hike this week.

[Michael · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hiked the Gooseberry to Tettegouche portion, camped three nights, saw Bear and Bean lake, the precipitious overlook and cliffs, many sticks and stones, a number of rivers, streams and cricks and crawdads...pretty much an amazing four day, three night hike. This guide was right on. The baptism river, and the falls before lake superior, are amazing to view, to swim in and to appreciate the occasional group of Aer Linguis flight attendants...ah, Erin.

Goosebery river
Split rock river
Beaver river
Baptism river
Bean lake
Bear lake

Fish caught: 0

Days hiking: 4

Nights camping: 3

Weight, in pounds, of unneccessary stuff I brought with me: 25-30

Irish Stewardesses seen bathing in their bits: 4

Well worth the effort.

[Jenessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mixed feelings about this book. Practically speaking, it is super annoying how the mileage is laid out: hiking distances from parking lot to parking lot, when really you're hiking from camping spot to camping spot. Also most people tend to hike North to south while the book goes south to north, so you are doing a lot of math in your head. Still, it is comprehensive and also the only book out there detailing this trail. I've used this book to plan many day hikes, weekend trips and one sections where a friend and I hiked 105 miles of it.

[Stephanee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very informative but at times a bit confusing on the twists & turns to getting to trailheads, etc. will be using a map, for sure instead of having my nose in the book! Looking forward to hiking this trail in sections with my sister. I learned a lot about the flora & fauna along the trail & am looking forward to actually experiencing it first hand

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thorough guidebook. I used it this summer and fall(2008)when I backpacked the SHT. Get the maps from SHTA too. Mile by mile description, including campsites and water sources. I've read this repeatedly while planning for the trip.

[Keith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was planning on hiking the trail end to end sometime. But when I read the trail is 277 miles and takes 3 or 4 weeks to complete, I much more appreciated the well researched, mile by mile description. It's like I hiked it already. And, boy, are my feet sore!

[Troy Lubbers · Rating 5 out of 5]

To be fair, my five star review is probably strongly influenced by my backpacking experiences I've had on the SHT, and not solely the content of the book. But, this book is incredible useful in planning a trip, and informing you regarding what you will see and experience during your hikes.

[Christopher Gerber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Provides a good overview of the area along with specific sections of the trail. I found the backstory and history of the area to be pretty interesting as well. Not particularly useful on the trail, but great during the planning of a trip.

[Jean Strande · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful especially for our first hike on the Superior Trail. We're planning a 4th hike this summer and I continue to refer to this detailed account. It saved us from spending too much time in the wrong places and led us to some extroidenary spots with less traffic. Definitely a gem.

[Michael Brady · Rating 4 out of 5]

A helpful book, but our 1998 version has begun to fall apart so we got the latest edition with which we are now planning a three day jaunt on the SHT.

[bibliotekker Holman · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best guide out there for a minute by minute look at the Superior Hiking Trail. A good read and reference.

[Meredith Friesz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very helpful

The only thing that would improve this is more detailed maps for us who are directionally challenged. Photos of views and landmarks as well.

[Will Schluneger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very accurate and detailed descriptions and maps.

[Sally Marier · Rating 4 out of 5]

Putting this here so I can recall it later when I need it again!