The Scenic 5.3-Mile National Forest Trail in Minnesota Worth the Sweat

We in the Land of 10,000 Lakes are blessed with many incredible hiking trails. They range from short paths with huge payoffs—like the under 1-mile hike to the High Falls of Pigeon River at Grand Portage State Park—to epic long trails, such as the Minnesota section of the North Country National Scenic Trail, which passes through more than 850 miles of the state's best scenery along its border-to-border route. Of course, there are plenty of fantastic trails in between, as well. One that I'm particularly fond of is the Pincushion Mountain Loop in the Superior National Forest above Grand Marais. With its rugged terrain and panoramic views, it's a Minnesota hike that's definitely worth the sweat.

The trailhead for the Pincushion Mountain Loop is just a few miles up the Gunflint Trail from Grand Marais and easily accessible. From the trailhead parking lot, you'll get a preview of the perspectives this trail has to offer: sweeping views out over the town of Grand Marais, Lake Superior, and Artist's Point. This, of course, is just the beginning—the trail itself has much more to offer, including stellar vistas of the Superior National Forest.

The Pincushion Mountain trails system is a network of trails in the national forest just outside of Grand Marais. It includes a segment of the Superior Hiking Trail (itself, a section of the North Country National Scenic Trail), which comprises a portion of the 5.3-mile Pincushion Mountain Loop. Over the course of this moderately challenging hike, you'll experience a little over 700 feet in elevation gain, but you will reap great rewards for your efforts.

The trail offers viewpoints with astonishing panoramas of Lake Superior and its namesake national forest, as well as the town of Grand Marais. A segment of the trail will lead you along the Devil Track River gorge, and you'll be treated to even more dramatic scenery of a more rugged and narrow kind.

You should know that you're likely to share portions of the trails with mountain bikers, so as you hike, keep a lookout for single-track enthusiasts. The trails are open year-round, and in winter, portions are groomed for cross-country skiing, and the remainder is open to hiking and snowshoeing—so you can enjoy the Pincushion Trails in any season of the year.

It's not the easiest trail in the Land of 10,000 Lakes, nor is it the most difficult, but the payoffs for hiking the Pincushion Mountain Loop near Grand Marais, Minnesota, are well worth the effort. Reward yourself afterward with a coffee from Java Moose or a drink on the patio at Poplar Haus.

Have you hiked this trail in the Superior National Forest? What are some other hikes in the Bold North that make you work a bit but are worth the reward? We'd love to hear about your favorites at our Nomination Page.

Feeling inspired to explore all that the North Star State has to offer? Try planning your hiking adventure in Minnesota using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.