From the leisurely lake walk of downtown Duluth to the rugged Sawtooth Mountains to the prairies of the Red River Valley to the gentle rolling Laurentian Divide, the North Country Trail offers a cache of contrasting hiking experiences across its roughly 850 miles in Minnesota.
Historic marks include the remnants of iron mining along the Mesabi and Vermilion ranges, Native American historic sites, and remnants of Paul Bunyan’s white pine logging era. Keep your eyes open wide for iconic Northern wildlife such as loons, moose, whitetail deer, black bear, Canada lynx, timber wolf and bald eagle.
Explore the Trail by Region
Northwestern Minnesota: North Dakota/Minnesota state line to the Otter Tail/Becker county line
North Central Minnesota: Otter Tail/Becker county line to US-2 in Grand Rapids
Northeastern Minnesota: US-2 in Grand Rapids to the western terminus of the Kekekabic Trail
Border Region: Western terminus of the Kekekabic Trail to the eastern terminus of the Border Route Trail
Superior Hiking Trail: Eastern terminus of the Border Route Trail to the Minnesota/Wisconsin state line
Important Notes and Additional Information
A permit is required for vehicular entrance into Minnesota State Parks. Learn more from Minnesota’s Department of Natural Resources or purchase a parks permit online.
Tips for using the NCT in Minnesota during wintertime.
Top NCNST Hikes in Minnesota
Header photo by Melanie McManus