Snowbank Trail
~3 days · 20.3 mi · easy · Loop
Quick facts
What the Snowbank Trail is known for
A rugged ~20-mile circuit of Snowbank Lake on the edge of the Boundary Waters near Ely, using the Snowbank Trail's granite ridges and a stretch of the Kekekabic Trail to close the loop (longer variants add the Old Pines loop).
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 4,747 ft to 5,102 ft over 20.3 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 6.8 mi · 33%
- Downhill 8.2 mi · 41%
- Flat 5.3 mi · 26%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Snowbank Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Snowbank Trail scores 8/100, 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 Snowbank Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Snowbank Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 20.3 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Snowbank Trail?
The Snowbank Trail climbs roughly 1,043 ft total — about 51 ft per mile, topping out near 1,565 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.