If you're looking for a short hike with an amazing payoff, there's nothing better than taking a quick visit to Great River Bluffs State Park southeast of Winona. In less than a mile of easy hiking (or should we say walking) you are guaranteed spectacular, sweeping views of the Mississippi and the surrounding bluff country. It's the perfect way to experience the best of MN's natural beauty on days when it's hot and muggy and hiking just seems like a miserable idea.
The trail to the East Overlook is just over a mile of walking, and the view is spectacular at the end.
The 2.3-Mile Hiking Trail in Minnesota That Is a Fall Foliage Wonderland
Discover the stunning fall foliage on the Oberg Mountain Loop hike in Minnesota. Enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Superior and the Superior National Forest.
When you go looking for fall foliage in Minnesota, you'll find no shortage of options. The incredible hardwoods along the Minnesota and St. Croix River bluffs are stunning. And places like Lake Maria and Maplewood State Parks never disappoint when the trees slip on their autumn mantles. But there's one place that kicks of leaf peeping season like no other, and the short - albeit moderately challenging - hike to reach the most spectacular views is nothing short of a fall foliage wonderland. If you haven't figured out the place yet, I'm talking about the Oberg Mountain Loop near Tofte, MN, and you need to put this trail on your list of must-do fall hikes in Minnesota.
To get to Oberg Mountain, you'll need to head up to the spectacular North Shore of Lake Superior and scenic Minnesota Hwy. 61. This drive, itself, is one of the best ways to enjoy fall in Minnesota. You'll definitely enjoy the journey, but believe me: It'll be even better when you're on the trail!
You'll start the hike from the Oberg Mountain trailhead, which is just off Onion River Rd., between Tofte and Lutsen. The Ray Berglund State Wayside (home to one of my favorite waterfalls), which is located right on the Onion River, makes a good landmark - the turnoff to the trailhead is a few hundred feet northeast of the wayside.
You'll start off on the Superior Hiking Trail, and as you hike along, look for a sign directing you to the Oberg Loop - it's a spur trail off the SHT, and it's pretty well marked. Even so, I usually use AllTrails Plus so I know where I am, how far I have to go, and what kind of elevation I'm looking at. (The total gain on this trail is a respectable 508 feet.)
Along the way, you'll be treated to incredible views of Lake Superior and the Superior National Forest. But the real payoff happens when you reach the Oberg Lake overlook and witness amazing, fiery foliage encircling the lake and stretching into the distance all the way to the horizon. It's a truly breathtaking spectacle.
One of the best things about basking in the fall foliage at Oberg Mountain is that it tends to peak before a lot of other places in Minnesota - so, you're not missing out on all the fabulous foliage in the southern part of the state by making a mid-September trip up to Tofte. Definitely take some time and spend a day or two in the area. Take the gondola at Lutsen Mountains for a fantastic aerial view of the foliage, then grab lunch or dinner at Angry Trout Cafe in Grand Marais. There are plenty of places to stay within minutes of Oberg Mountain. I like a beautiful, clifftop condo near Tofte that's perched above the Lake Superior shoreline, so you can enjoy incredible views even when you're not on the trail.
Have you hiked the Oberg Mountain Loop in Minnesota in the fall? Tell us in the comments, and be sure to let us know about some of your other favorite fall foliage hikes in Minnesota.
Sax-Zim Bog is a lesser-known natural area in Minnesota, near the small community of Meadowlands in the northern part of the state. Lesser-known, that is, if you're not a part of - or know someone in - the birding community. For birders, Sax-Zim Bog is a globally-renowned destination, and folks flock (pardon the pun) here to catch a glimpse of species that found in few other places in the United States. Although popular year-round, the bog is busiest between December and March, when its signature boreal species, like the great gray owl, overwinter here.
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As much as I love seeing the birds, flowers, and other animals that live or take up residence in the bog, one of the things I enjoy most about this place is exploring the bog, itself. It's a fascinating ecosystem totally unlike the Northwoods that surround it.
And Friends of the Sax-Zim Bog, an organization dedicated to protecting the greater ecosystem and preserving as much of the habitat as possible, has made exploring this amazing place a little easier with a handful of trails and boardwalks that you can use to delve deeper into the peatlands and forests.
The organization's newest boardwalk is located in an area behind the Sax-Zim Bog Welcome Center. It connects the longer Gray Jay Way trail that stretches west of the facility to the nature trail loop in the woods to the south of the welcome center.
The boardwalk winds its way through a true black-spruce and tamarack bog, showcasing the type of habitat that attracts the region's many avian visitors and for which the Sax-Zim Bog is renowned.
Along the way, you should keep your eyes peeled for not only for birds and mammals, but also all the bog specialist plant and flower species. Last time I visited, this colony of carnivorous pitcher plants was growing just a few inches from the edge of the boardwalk. In late spring and early summer, you may also encounter several species of orchids, as well as migrating warblers that nest and breed in the bog.
Although this particular trail is not rated on AllTrails Plus (many others in the Sax-Zim Bog are, though), I would describe it as pretty easy. It's relatively level and easy going for the most part, although it can be narrow and overgrown in spots. Depending on the way you make the loop, the trail comes in at less than a mile. In summer, tick and insect protection is absolutely necessary - these creatures are voracious. And in winter, if the snow is deep, you'll probably want snowshoes. After your adventures, refuel at nearby Wilbert Cafe. It's a classic diner that's a favorite among locals and visitors, alike. I stop in just about any time I visit the bog.
Have you hiked this new boardwalk trail in Minnesota's Sax-Zim Bog? Let us know in the comments.
