Porcupine Mountains Lake Superior Trail
~3 days · 15.4 mi · easy · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Porcupine Mountains Lake Superior Trail is known for
A 15.5-mile point-to-point journey along Lake Superior's southern shoreline through Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The trail threads old-growth hemlock and maple forest between the Presque Isle River mouth (southwest) and the Union Spring trailhead (northeast), with numerous river crossings, lake-view bluffs, and cascading streams. Backcountry campsites at Buckshot Landing and Lone Rock allow a classic 3-day itinerary in one of the Midwest's most remote wilderness areas.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 1,991 ft to 3,629 ft over 15.4 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 4.9 mi · 32%
- Downhill 3.5 mi · 23%
- Flat 6.9 mi · 45%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Porcupine Mountains Lake Superior Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Porcupine Mountains Lake Superior Trail scores 9/100, 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 Porcupine Mountains Lake Superior Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Porcupine Mountains Lake Superior Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 15.4 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Porcupine Mountains Lake Superior Trail?
The Porcupine Mountains Lake Superior Trail climbs roughly 1,020 ft total — about 66 ft per mile, topping out near 1,138 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.