Greenstone Ridge Trail
~4 days · 39.9 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Greenstone Ridge Trail is known for
The spine of Isle Royale, running about 40 miles along the Greenstone Ridge from the Lookout Louise area at the island's northeast end to Windigo in the southwest. The trail rolls over the island's high points, including Mount Desor and Ishpeming Point, with park campgrounds a short descent off the ridge. Point-to-point, typically 4-5 days, with boat or ferry logistics at both ends.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,991 ft to 4,511 ft over 39.9 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 19.0 mi · 48%
- Downhill 16.3 mi · 41%
- Flat 4.4 mi · 11%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Greenstone Ridge Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Greenstone Ridge Trail scores 18/100, a relative rating across the 569 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Greenstone Ridge Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Greenstone Ridge Trail in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 39.9 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Greenstone Ridge Trail?
The Greenstone Ridge Trail climbs roughly 3,743 ft total — about 94 ft per mile, topping out near 1,388 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.