Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail
~4 days · 45 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail is known for
Point-to-point traverse of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore along the North Country Trail, about 43 miles from Munising Falls to Grand Marais on Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The route follows Lake Superior's shoreline past the Pictured Rocks sandstone cliffs, Chapel Rock, Twelvemile Beach, and the Grand Sable Dunes, typically hiked in 2-4 days using the park's reserved backcountry campgrounds.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,982 ft to 2,972 ft over 45 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 6.7 mi · 15%
- Downhill 10.2 mi · 23%
- Flat 27.9 mi · 62%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail in about 4 days (3 nights out) over its 45 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail?
The Pictured Rocks Lakeshore Trail climbs roughly 3,002 ft total — about 67 ft per mile, topping out near 925 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.