Cook County Hiking

Disclamer: While we do our best for accuracy points on the map, the points on the map are not exact and should be used as a guide. Always pay attention and follow posted signs. If you feel that we have an error or you have any suggestions, Contact Us.

3. Britton Peak

5. Carlton Peak

7. Centennial Trail

The Trailhead for Centennial Trail is located off the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) from Grand Marais. The Trail is a 3.3 mile loop. At .7 mile in from the trailhead, there is a sign for a trail that veers off to the right. This trail leads you to the site of where an old Fire Tower use to be, just a scenic overlook now. The trail is narrow and steep in areas. The first 1.2 miles of the Centennial Trail is also part of the Kekekabic Trail. (The Kekekabic Trail extends from the Gunflint Trail all the way to County Road 18 near Ely.) This first part of the trail was built to access iron mining operations with an old railroad route. Pick up the brochure at the trailhead for a self-guided tour of historical markers along the way. The mine test pits are still there, please be careful around them. The Trail is moderate and follows the edge of a couple small lakes. Birds and wildlife can be seen in and around the water. The Centennial Trail follows the Kekekabic Trail until the trail splits at the bridge over the creek. From there, the Centennial Trail crosses the creek. Parts of this trail follow the old railroad and can be very steep in areas. The trail eventually comes out to one of the area snowmobile trails. Follow the snowmobile trail until it comes out to County Road 47. From there, follow County Rd 47 until you come to the junction of County Road 12 (Gunflint Trail). Follow the Gunflint Trail back to the Centennial/Kekekabic Trailhead.

9. Crab Lake Trail

11. Daniels Trail

13. Eagle Mountain

From Grand Marais, take the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) to County Road 8. Turn left on County Road 8 to County Road 27. Turn right on 27 to the junction of Forest Road 170. Follow FR 170 to the trailhead parking area. (The Grade fire number 931). Eagle Mountain is the highest point in Minnesota at 2,301 feet and is located in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. (You can make a cell phone call at the very top of Eagle Mountain!) The trail is 7 miles round-trip and is rugged, rocky, and steep in areas. The trail divides after passing Whale Lake. You can continue towards Eagle Mountain on the left or you can follow the Brule Lake trail to the right. The last half-mile of the trail to Eagle Mountain is rocky and steep with multiple panoramic views at the top. At the peak of the mountain is a geology plaque of Eagle Mountain. A self-issued day permit is required for hiking in the BWCA.

15. George Washington Memorial Pines

17. Gunflint Lake Trails

19. Honeymoon Bluff

21. Kekkabic Trail

23. Lima Mountain Trail

25. Lower Poplar River Waterfall

27. Middle and Lower Falls on Pigeon River

Hike the wide paved .4 mile trail from the Visitor Center to the High Falls. Interpretive signs along the trail focus on the history of the area. There are benches along the trail as well. .4 mile from the Visitor Center is where the trail starts, if you want to hike out to the Middle and Lower Falls. Start of the Middle Falls trail is by the trail to the Outhouse, marked with an informational sign. First part of the trail is easy, with a fairly wide trail. The trail to Middle and Lower falls is narrower and rougher in areas with rocks and tree roots across the trail. Hike the rugged loop thru the woods to the falls. .6 mile from Start of Middle Falls Trail, 1st scenic overlook. .1 mile from 1st scenic overlook to the start of the Scenic Overlook Trail. Scenic Overlook Trail is on the right, marked with a sign. Two overlooks along the trail, one with a view of Lake Superior and the other view is of the Pigeon River flowing thru the valley down below. The second view doesn't have a clear trail, from the first views bench go up and over the small rock wall o see the view. (*216 feet from where the trail starts to the bench and 1st scenic overlook) .6 mile from Scenic Overlook Trail to where trail splits at the Middle Falls loop. Take the trail to the right to do the loop. Total distance 1.3 miles- (same as map) You will approach the Middle Falls with a couple viewpoints. A bench is provided for a rest stop overlooking the Middle Falls. Continue on the trail for another view from the top of Middle Falls, overlooking Lower Falls farther up the river. .5 mile to the Middle Falls from where the trail splits at the Middle Falls loop. .2 mile to the Lower Falls from the bench at the Middle Falls. .2 mile from Lower Falls to the end of loop. The loop comes back to the trail you came in on and takes you back to the High Falls trail.

29. Mount Josephine

31. Mount Rose

33. Northern Light Lake Trail

35. Partridge Falls

37. Portage Falls

39. Seagull River Waterfalls

41. Sugar Loaf SNA

43. Sweethearts Bluff

45. Thompson Falls

47. Topper Lake Trail

49. White Sky Rock

1. Artists' Point

2. Border Route Trail

The Border Route Trail is a 65 mile, rugged wilderness hiking trail that follows ridge-lines and the top of high cliffs. Therefore, hiking the trail offers panoramic views across the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota and Quetico Provincal Park in Canada. The trail also passes near Bridal Veil Falls, Stairway Falls, and a spur to Magnetic Rock. Even though the trail is maintained by crews of volunteers, downed trees and patches of thick brush are common obstacles on the trail. Because of its rugged and primitive nature, the trail provides solitude and a true wilderness experience. This trail requires good map and compass skills. The eastern end of the trail connects to the Superior Hiking Trail, while the western end connects to the Kekekabic Trail. Permits are required if you are going to be staying overnight, and can be found online or at local outfitters.

4. Caribou Rock Trail

6. Cascade State Park Waterfalls

The Cascade River State Park features multiple waterfalls and cascades for you to enjoy along the Cascade River. The hike to the waterfalls starts at the parking area along highway 61. Hike in on either side of the Cascade River. The trails are wide and well maintained with some stairs to climb. A short .2 mile hike to the Cascade bridge provides multiple views of the waterfalls on the Cascade River. Follow the loop across the river and back to the roadside parking on highway 61. To see more waterfalls, continue on the trail by the Cascade bridge that follows the west side of the Cascade River. The trail is rocky with tree roots protruding in areas. At .4 miles from the Cascade bridge, the trail comes to a split. To the left, the trail continues to Lookout Mountain; and to the right, the trail takes you down “96 Steps to River”. Take the trail to the right, down 96 steps. Trail continues along the river for views of multiple waterfalls. At .7 miles, you will come to a bigger waterfall that is “Unnamed Falls”.

8. Chik-Wauk Trails

From Grand Marais, take the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) to Moose Pond Road (County Road 81). Watch for the “Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center” sign on the right side of the road. Discover the Chik-Wauk Museum, also known as the historic Chik-Wauk Lodge and Resort. The Chik-Wauk Museum & Nature Center is located on the edge of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. The Chik-Wauk Museum offers unique history of the area as well as a variety of hiking trails. Hiking trails range from easy to difficult, with some offering panoramic views overlooking Moose Pond and Saganaga Lake. Pick up a brochure at the museum for the hiking trails/map of the area.

10. Cross River Waterfalls

12. Devils Kettle

The hike to the waterfalls is on a wide, trail with nearly 200 steps going down to the river. Park in the parking area and start your hike by the informational sign. Follow the trail across the bridge over the Brule River. The trail follows the east bank of the Brule River, gradually climbing higher with scenic overlooks of the river below. ( 1.1 mile hike (2.25-mile round trip) to Devil’s Kettle waterfall, Upper, and Lower Falls) This route is part of the Superior Hiking Trail. .6 mile to the overlook of Upper Falls, with a bench to stop and rest. From here the trail splits: To the left, .2 mile hike to the Lower Falls. Trail is narrow and steep to view the Lower Falls. To the right, .5 mile hike to the Upper Falls and Devil’s Kettle Falls. You will come across a trail that goes down to the left with lots of steps, nearly 200. The steps lead you down to the river to see the Upper Falls. Continue on the main trail a short distance to see multiple views of Devil’s Kettle.

14. Fall River Waterfall

16. Grand Portage Trail

The Grand Portage Trail is 9.5 miles long and was originally created and used by the native people. The native people used the trail to take their canoes and bypass the High Falls on the Pigeon River. The trail follows the same route that the original native people used to carry goods and their canoes. Start the hike at the parking lot at the Heritage Center. Follow the bike trail past the Heritage Center and National Monument, to the start of the trail marked
with a large informational sign. The Trail can be rough and may have trees over the trail leading to a tougher hike. Mile 1: cross highway 61
Mile 3: cross a bridge over Poplar Creek.
Mile 4: cross Old highway 61
Trails can be wet and muddy in the spring or after a heavy rainfall. Fort Charlotte is located at the end of the trail where there are two group campsites available, canoe landing, informational signs, and an outhouse. A free permit is required to stay at one of the campsites. Contact the Heritage Center to obtain more information about the permit.

18. High Falls on the Pigeon River

Grand Portage State Park is home to several waterfalls on the Pigeon River including the highest waterfall in Minnesota at 120 feet....the High Falls. Hike the wide paved ½ mile trail from the Visitor Center to the High Falls (wheel chair accessible trail). Interpretive signs along the trail focus on the history of the area. There are benches along the trail to the High falls as well. The trail to the High Falls is part of the “Hiking Club Trail”, where you’ll find the password near the falls. .2 mile from the Visitor Center, there is a trail that loops down by the river (first stairs). This side trail loop goes down along the riverbank running parallel to the main trail, overlooking rock walls on the Canadian side of the river. .4 mile from the Visitor Center is where the trail starts, if you want to hike out to the Middle and Lower Falls. .5 mile from the Visitor Center, you have reached the High Falls. The last part of the trail is a wooden boardwalk. There are three viewing platforms that provide different views of the High Falls. When the river is high, you can see, at times, one or two rainbows thru the mist coming off the falls.

20. Kadunce River Trails

22. Kimball Lake Trail

24. Lookout Point

Hike the Lookout Mountain Loop for panoramic views of the Cascade River valley and Lake Superior. A short .2 mile hike to the Cascade River bridge, from highway 61, provides multiple views of the waterfalls on the Cascade River. At the Cascade Bridge, there is a sign for “Lookout Mountain” trail. From the Cascade Bridge, the hike to Lookout Mountain is 1.1 miles. This trail is also part of the Superior Hiking Trail. The trail comes to a split at .4 miles (from the Cascade Bridge). To the left, the trail continues to Lookout Mountain; and to the right, the trail takes you down “96 Steps to River”. Take the trail to the left to Lookout Mountain. Trail is steep in areas and provides scenic overlooks of the Cascade River valley.

26. Magnetic Lake Trail

The Magnetic Rock trailhead is located off the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) from Grand Marais. Trail head is on the right with a small parking area. The trail is a 1.5 mile (one-way) hike. Hike across Larch Creek through the burn areas to see the Magnetic Rock. Along the trail, scenic overlooks provide views overlooking small lakes with the possibility to see a moose. The trail is rocky, hilly, and hard to follow in open areas because of the huge flat rocks. Look for rock cairns to mark the trail where the trail is hard to follow. A Latrine is provided not far from the trailhead. At the end of the trail, you will see the Magnetic Rock, a 60-foot rock with strong magnetic attraction. Bring a compass with you to test the magnetic pull. A self-issued day permit is required for hiking in the BWCA.

28. Moose Viewing Trail

30. Mount Maude

32. Nature Trail

34. Oberg and Leveaux Mountains

Oberg Mountain Trailhead is located south of Lutsen on highway 61. From highway 61, take Forest Road 336 (Onion River Road). Parking area for trails is located on the left side of the road. Access to Leveaux and Oberg Mountain start from the same parking area. Hike .2 miles to the Oberg Mountain Loop. Hike another 1.8 miles to the Summit Loop of Oberg Mountain, with multiple views along the loop of Lake Superior and Oberg Mountain. Oberg Mountain Trailhead is located south of Lutsen on highway 61. From highway 61, take Forest Road 336 (Onion River Road). Parking area for trails is located on the left side of the road. Access to Leveaux and Oberg Mountain start from the same parking area. (3.7 mile round trip hike to the top of Leveaux Mountain) Hike 1.2 miles to the Spur Loop. This hike takes you to the top of Leveaux Mountain. Hike another 1.3 miles for the loop to a scenic overlook of Lake Superior and Carlton Peak.

36. Pincushion Mountain Trails

38. Ray Burgland Reststop

40. South Lake Trail

42. Superior Hiking Trail

44. Temperance River State Park

Temperance River State Park offers about 22 miles worth of hiking trails with several trails to choose from. -Take a short hike on the Lower Falls loop between highway 61 and Lake Superior. -Take a longer hike to see multiple waterfalls on the upper side of Temperance River. -Hike out to Carlton Peak for a scenic overlook of Lake Superior. -Hike down to the Lake Superior shoreline for scenic views of the lake. Waterfalls: The Temperance River State Park features multiple waterfalls for you to enjoy along the Temperance River. The hike to the waterfalls starts at the parking area along highway 61. Hike in on either side of highway 61 on the Temperance River. The trails are wide and well maintained with some stairs to climb. You can take a short .1 mile loop to view the Lower Falls between highway 61 and Lake Superior. Follow the loop across the river and back to the roadside parking on highway 61. For more waterfalls, continue on the trail on the other side of highway 61. Hike .8 miles (round-trip) to see multiple waterfalls along the Temperance River. Stay on the right side of Temperance River. The trail is very rocky with overlooks of the river and multiple waterfalls along the way. Watch your step along the edges when viewing the waterfalls. To view the Upper Falls on the Temperance River, take a drive on highway 61 to Forest Road 343. Take Forest Road 343 and look for a small unmarked parking area on the right side of the road. Hike the narrow dirt trail down towards the river. At the bottom of the hill, you will find some stairs and the trail comes to a “T” (there is a trail that goes off to the left and to the right). Follow the trail to the left along the Temperance River heading to the Upper Falls. The hike to this waterfall is .4 miles round-trip. Make sure you follow the same trails back to the small unmarked parking area. Camping: