Superior Hiking Trail | |
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Length | 310 mi (500 km) |
Location | Cook / Lake / Saint Louis / Carlton counties, Minnesota, United States |
Trailheads | Near Jay Cooke State Park; Canada–US border near Lake Superior |
Use | Hiking |
Highest point | 1,829 ft (557 m) |
Lowest point | Lake Superior, 602 ft (183 m) |
Difficulty | Moderate |
Season | Late spring to early fall |
Sights | Lake Superior, Iron Range, state parks |
Hazards | Severe weather, black bears, Lyme disease |
The Superior Hiking Trail, also known as the SHT, is a 310-mile (500 km) long hiking trail in northeastern Minnesota that follows the rocky ridges overlooking Lake Superior for most of its length. The trail travels through forests of birch, aspen, pine, fir, and cedar. Hikers enjoy views of boreal forests, the Sawtooth Mountains, babbling brooks, rushing waterfalls, and abundant wildlife. The lowest point in the path is 602 ft (183 m) above sea level and the highest point is 1,829 ft (557 m) above sea level. The footpath is intended for hiking only. Motorized vehicles, mountain bikes, and horses are not allowed on the trail. Many people use the trail for long-distance hiking, and facilitating this purpose are 94 backcountry, fee-free campsites.[1][2]