Indian Portage Trail
~3 days · 10.6 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Indian Portage Trail is known for
Cross-island link on Isle Royale following the historic canoe-portage route between Chippewa Harbor and McCargoe Cove, about 10.6 miles via Lake Richie and Chickenbone Lake. Built by the CCC in the 1930s along the old portage line, it crosses the Greenstone Ridge mid-island and passes several inland lakes with park campgrounds. Point-to-point, typically 2 days as part of a longer Isle Royale loop.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 2,001 ft to 2,628 ft over 10.6 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 4.3 mi · 41%
- Downhill 4.2 mi · 39%
- Flat 2.0 mi · 19%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Indian Portage Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Indian Portage Trail scores 7/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 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 Indian Portage Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Indian Portage Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 10.6 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Indian Portage Trail?
The Indian Portage Trail climbs roughly 745 ft total — about 70 ft per mile, topping out near 807 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 — 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.