Gentle Hikes of Minnesota's North Shore

Ladona Tornabene, Ph.D., CHES, is an Associate Professor of Health Education at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She desires to promote physical activity in natural settings and believes that the North Shore, with its breathtaking scenery, is prime incentive for accomplishing such a mission. Dr. Tornabene is also an avid photographer with a passion to empower others through her work. She has begun a scholarship fund to help nontraditional students return to school and health education majors intern abroad through her print sales. Melanie Morgan is a Minnesota native who loved walking in the woods near her family cabin as a child. Being involved in the hiking and writing of Gentle Hikes seemed like an extension of those good feelings and brought back a sense of nostalgia and fond memories. Melanie enjoys a sense of adventure; the love of exploration leads her to many beautiful locations. She and her husband continue to enjoy hiking and exploring whenever and wherever they happen to be. Lisa Vogelsang, Ph.D., serves as needed as an adjunct assistant professor at the University of Minnesota Duluth in Health Education and at the College of St. Scholastica in Psychology and American Sign Language. She is also a part-time professional photographer specializing in landscapes of Minnesota’s North Shore. A former two-time Olympian, she loves the outdoors. Lisa enjoys photography, hiking, biking, sea kayaking, cross country skiing, and snowshoeing. After six ankle surgeries and developing severe arthritis, she must keep her hikes short. Her disability was, in part, a catalyst in the conception of this book.

Trails

Duluth to Two Harbors
Superior Hiking Trail: Brewer Park Loop
Bayfront Festival Park
Lakewalk: Canal Wall to Bayfront Festival Park
Lakewalk: Canal Wall to Fitger’s
Lakewalk: Rose Garden to Fitger’s
Lakewalk East: Rose Garden to Water Street
Lakewalk East Extension: London Road to Water Street
Lakewalk East Extension: 26th Ave E to No 40th Ave E
Bagley Nature Area
Rock Knob
Lester Park Trail
Sonju Harbor Walking Trail: Lighthouse Loop
Sonju Harbor Walking Trail: Burlington Bay to First Street

Beyond Two Harbors to Little Marais
Gitchi-Gami State Trail: Silver Creek
Gooseberry Falls (Gooseberry Falls State Park)
Plaza Overlook Loop (Gooseberry Falls State Park)
River View Trail (Gooseberry Falls State Park)
Gitchi Gummi (Gooseberry Falls State Park)
Gooseberry River Loop (Gooseberry Falls State Park)
Gitchi-Gami State Trail: Iona’s Beach
Gitchi-Gami State Trail: Split Rock: Birch to Beacon (Split Rock Lighthouse State Park)
Gitchi-Gami State Trail: Split Rock: O’er the Park (Split Rock Lighthouse State Park)
Little Two Harbors Paved Trail (Split Rock Lighthouse State Park)
Little Two Harbors Trail (Split Rock Lighthouse State Park)
Northshore Scenic Overlook Trails
Shovel Point Trail (Tettegouche State Park)
Baptism River Loop (Tettegouche State Park)
High Falls at Tettegouche (Tettegouche State Park)
Bensen Lake Trail (George H. Crosby-Manitou State Park)

Beyond Little Marais to Grand Marais
Sugarloaf Cove Trail
Superior Hiking Trail: Crystal Creek Covered Bridge
Superior Hiking Trail: Caribou Falls
Superior Hiking Trail: Two Island River
Superior Hiking Trail: Tower Overlook
Temperance River Lower Loop (Temperance River State Park)
Temperance River Gorge Trail (Temperance River State Park)
Gitchi-Gami State Trail: Temperance River Gorge
Superior Hiking Trail: Oberg Loop
Superior Hiking Trail: Poplar River Overlook
Lower Cascade Falls–Quick Route (Cascade River State Park)
Lower Falls Cascade River Loop (Cascade River State Park)
Grand Marais Lighthouse Stroll

Beyond Grand Marais to Canadian Border
Superior Hiking Trail: Kadunce River
Devil’s Kettle (Judge C.R. Magney State Park)
Brule River Loop (Judge C.R. Magney State Park)
Webster–Ashburton Trail and Picnic Area (Grand Portage State Park)
High Falls at Grand Portage (Grand Portage State Park)

ALMOST HIKES

Duluth to Two Harbors
Enger Tower Canal Park Lighthouse Stroll
Leif Erikson Rose Garden
Two Rivers, Three Views
McQuade Small Craft Harbor Breakwater Loop
Bear Trail
Breakwater Lighthouse Point Stroll

Beyond Two Harbors to Little Marais
Iona’s Beach
Pebble Beach (Split Rock Lighthouse State Park)
Bayside Park
Shovel Point Overlook (Tettegouche State Park)

Beyond Little Marais to Grand Marais
Father Baraga’s Cross
Temperance River Bridge View (Temperance River State Park)
Tofte Park
Best-kept Secret of Grand Marais
Artists’ Point (or ‘The Point’)

WAYSIDES AND SCENIC LOCALES

Duluth to Two Harbors
Scenic Highway 61
Buchanan Historical Marker
Lighthouse Point Public Water Access

Beyond Two Harbors to Little Marais
Flood Bay Wayside
Split Rock Wayside

Beyond Little Marais to Grand Marais
Palisade Head Overlook
Taconite Harbor
Cross River Wayside
Cascade River Wayside
Good Harbor Bay Wayside
Cutface Creek Rest Area
Pincushion Mountain Overlook
Grand Marais Public Water Access

Beyond Grand Marais to Canadian Border
Kadunce River Wayside
Old Dog Trail
Mt Josephine Wayside and Scenic Overlook
Isle Royale and Susie Islands Overlook
Grand Portage State Park & Travel Information Center

PICNIC AREAS

Duluth to Two Harbors
Kitchi Gammi Park
Lakeview Park Picnic Area

Beyond Two Harbors to Little Marais
Gooseberry Falls Picnic Areas (Gooseberry Falls State Park)
Pebble Beach Picnic Area (Split Rock Lighthouse State Park)
Trail Center/Lakeview Picnic Area (Split Rock Lighthouse State Park)
Bayside Park Picnic Area
Tettegouche General Picnic Areas (Tettegouche State Park)
High Falls Picnic Area (Tettegouche State Park)
Bensen Lake Picnic Area (George H. Crosby-Manitou State Park)

Beyond Little Marais to Grand Marais
Father Baraga’s Cross Picnic Area
Temperance River Picnic Area (Temperance River State Park)
Cascade River State Park Picnic Area (Cascade River State Park)
Grand Marais Recreation Area

Beyond Grand Marais to Canadian Border
Grand Portage National Monument Picnic Area
Grand Portage State Park Picnic Area (Grand Portage State Park)