Minong Ridge Trail
~4 days · 26.4 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Minong Ridge Trail is known for
The Minong Ridge Trail crosses Isle Royale's rugged northwestern spine between Windigo and McCargoe Cove, about 25-28 miles of faint tread, open bedrock ridge, and beaver-dam crossings — widely considered the island's toughest trail. Point-to-point over 3-4 days, using designated campgrounds at each end plus Lake Desor and Todd Harbor between.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 2,152 ft to 3,422 ft over 26.4 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 10.5 mi · 40%
- Downhill 10.7 mi · 41%
- Flat 5.1 mi · 19%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Minong Ridge Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Minong Ridge Trail scores 15/100, 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 Minong Ridge Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Minong Ridge Trail in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 26.4 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Minong Ridge Trail?
The Minong Ridge Trail climbs roughly 2,831 ft total — about 107 ft per mile, topping out near 1,063 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.