Superior Hiking Trail
2–4 weeks · 275.1 mi · hard · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Superior Hiking Trail is known for
A ridgeline route above the North Shore of Lake Superior, hopping between river gorges, birch forest, and overlooks of the world's largest freshwater lake, with free backcountry campsites its whole length.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 663 ft to 1,650 ft over 275.1 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 9.2 mi · 3%
- Downhill 9.2 mi · 3%
- Flat 256.7 mi · 93%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Superior Hiking Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Superior Hiking Trail scores 66/100, 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 Superior Hiking Trail take?
Most backpackers take 2–4 weeks to hike the Superior Hiking Trail's 275.1 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Superior Hiking Trail?
The Superior Hiking Trail climbs roughly 25,748 ft total — about 94 ft per mile, topping out near 1,834 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.