Spending a weekend hiking on The North Shore in Minnesota is a wonderful adventure. This itinerary will go through a two-day hiking excursion. I highly recommend going in the fall as the trees are turning colors. This can be hard to plan, but this fall color tracker from the DNR is an excellent resource to track the colors. If you cannot make the trip happen in the fall, the trip is still worth it!
Day 1
From the Twin Cities, start the day by driving to Jay Cooke State Park, just over 2 hours. This is a great spot to stretch your legs and break up the drive. Here, you will start with an easy hike with beautiful nature views through the woods. Find a parking spot, and grab a $7 parking pass from the visitor’s center. Next, start walking and you will find the swinging bridge. This is a beautiful spot to cross the bridge and listen to the river below.
Once you get to the end of the bridge, head to the right and start the hike. I would recommend the Silver Creek Trail. This 3.5-mile loop hike is relatively flat and the trees surrounding you are beautiful. When the hike is done, spend some time walking in the surrounding areas by the swinging bridge, enjoying the water and rocks.
When you are finished soaking up Jay Cooke State Park, it is time to continue the drive. The next lag is about an hour and a half to Tettegouche State Park. Along the way, stop at Palisade Head for spectacular views of the water. This is an easy viewpoint to get out of your car and explore as much as you would like. Taking pictures, finding a rock to sit on, and enjoying the outdoors.
Once you arrive at Tettegouche State Park, I would recommend going on the Shovel Point Trail. This is a 1.2-mile out-and-back trail, flat, and has multiple viewpoints. Before you turn around at the endpoint, this is definitely where you want to take a seat and stare out into the beautiful water. Watching the water glisten, looking like an ocean, it will be hard to peel yourself away from the view. Once you do find it time to head back, make sure to stop off at the viewpoints if you missed any.
If you are still up for another hike, I would definitely recommend hiking to High Falls and Two Step Falls. This is a 2.8 mile out and back hike, with steep elevation. There are various overlooks on your way up that you can stop at, and once you reach the peak you will see a beautiful waterfall. Take your time here, but when you are ready to start the descent, make sure to stop at Two Step Falls. There are many stairs to get there, (remember you have to go back up the stairs!) but it is worth it!
When you return to your car, drive to your hotel to check in before dinner. Relax for as long as you would like before you head out for dinner. There are slim options around this area, but I would recommend Lemon Wolfe Café – make sure you make a reservation or you will have to wait for a table as it is a small restaurant. After dinner, head back to your hotel for a relaxing evening and to get a good night’s rest.
Accommodation Options Near Tettegouche:
Day 2
I get so excited about this day 2 hike! It is incredible, and if you are lucky enough to do this in the fall, you will be even more blown away. Drive to the Bean and Bear Lake Loop Trailhead to start the 6.5-mile hike. This is a moderate hike with some steep elevation and beautiful views. Make sure to do this hike early in the morning as it can get very busy! I cannot reiterate that enough – it will be worth it! Make sure to stop along the way for the various viewpoints. Once you get to the peak, there is a large rock that you can sit on. So, have a snack and stare out into the beauties of nature. Then, make the trek back to the trailhead.
Once you make it back to the trailhead, drive to Two Harbors to refuel. Grab some food at Madeira Bistro and then make your way over to Castle Danger Brewery and get a growler to go.
As you start to make your way back to the Twin Cities, you have one final stop. Drive to Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna in Duluth for a sauna experience. This is such a fun activity! Whether you already love saunas or you have no experience with them, this will be a great experience. Make sure to reserve a private Sauna session beforehand. In this session, you will switch off between sweating in the sauna and shivering in the cold via a cold water bucket, or depending on the weather, stepping outside or taking a dip in Lake Superior. You will be provided with electrolytes and hot tea, as well as steam and essential oils for the sauna. I would highly recommend this unique experience! You will feel relaxed and rejuvenated at the same time.
After the sauna experience, it is time to continue the drive back home and you can reflect on your amazing weekend hiking in The North Shore.
Ready to Plan Your Weekend Hiking On the North Shore?
Resources:
- Track the fall colors of the trees: MN Fall Color Finder
- I use AllTrails for all of my hiking adventures, which allows you to search a location to see a list of trails, with reviews by other hikers. You can download the app to have the maps at your convenience when hiking as well.
Preparation Needed:
- Hotel Reservation
- Private Sauna Experience at Cedar and Stone Nordic Sauna Reservation
- Check the State Park Websites to review all of the latest information
Enjoy the beautiful landscapes of Minnesota’s North Shore! Get your hiking boots on and embark on a weekend admiring nature.
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