Hiking

Go for a walk in the woods…
Superior Hiking Trail
The 277-mile Superior Hiking Trail follows Lake Superior's shore from Duluth to Minnesota's border with Canada. Backpacker Magazine named the trail one of the nation’s “10 prime trails that leave all others in the dust”. It can be hiked in segments or as a long distance hike (campsites available).

Other hiking selections add up to 250 miles of hiking in Cook County. Here's a few suggestions:

Consider some options right along Highway 61, the North Shore Scenic Drive or several miles inland.

Caribou River: Eight miles south of Schroeder, pleasant walk leading to Caribou Falls; round trip 1.5 miles, unless you choose to continue along the Superior Hiking Trail.
Britton Peak Trail
Carlton Peak Trail
LeVeaux Mountain Trail
Oberg Mountain Trail
Ray Berglund Wayside Rest: Ray Berglund Wayside Rest gives you an opportunity to stretch legs; .5 mile roundtrip along the scenic Onion River.
Cascade River State Park: offers many hiking options along a river full of waterfalls.
Eagle Mountain
Pincushion Mountain
Kadunce River Wayside: 1.5 miles round trip, nine miles east of Grand Marais. Access to the Superior Hiking Trail.
Judge CR Magney State Park: 14 miles east of town,numerous hiking trails; follows the Brule River; vistas of waterfalls and rapids, lots of stairways, and a 50-foot waterfall right at Devil’s Kettle mysteriously disappears into a hole in the basalt bedrock.
Grand Portage State Park: 40 miles from Grand Marais; handicapped accessible; High Falls is Minnesota's highest waterfall at 120 feet.
Gunflint Trail (Cook County Road #12) Hiking Map
Superior National Forest Hiking Map

Biking

How about a great ride?
More information and maps...
Bikers have over 2,000 miles of trails to explore along Lake Superior within the Sawtooth Mountain Range and the Superior National Forest. Although biking is not allowed within BWCAW, many of the Forest Service roads and old logging roads are fair game. Pick your surface and test your mettle! Some of the more difficult routes begin with steep ascents to reach mountain ridges, but easier routes on gravel roads and hard surface trails are plentiful. Either way, you’ll wind through forest, pass by lakes and streams, and perhaps ride by moose. Plan a day trip, for the weekend or even several days; the folks at Superior North Outdoor Center in Grand Marais will help you with routes, equipment, meals and lodging.

The Gitchi-Gami State Trail is being developed in sections, and already segments at Split Rock River, Temperance River State Park and Silver Creek Cliff are in use. One Grand Marais portion is complete, beginning at Co. Rd. 13, about two miles west of town. The Gitchi-Gami Trail is a great option for families to bike together, and the vistas of Lake Superior are stunning. When the whole trail is complete, it will connect five state parks, four scientific natural areas, many historic sites and several communities. You can track the progress of the trail at Gitch-Gami Trail and start a new tradition for your North Shore visits.

For additional information, call the Cook County Visitors Bureau Information Center:
1-888-922-5000 or 218-387-2524