WALKING AND BICYCLING
The Gitchi Gami Bicycle Trail is a paved trail. We offer the North Shore’s longest segment of the trail, running for approximately 16.4 miles along the shore and up the hillsides. It is ideal for biking, inline skating or walking and offers spectacular views of the lake and forests. The trail runs from downtown Silver Bay to Beaver Bay, then to Split Rock State Park, and finally to Gooseberry Falls State Park. You can access the trail at multiple parking lots, including in Silver Bay and Beaver Bay.
WILDERNESS HIKING
The Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) is one of the most famous trails in the United States. It extends from Jay Cooke Park south of Duluth to the border of Canada. The best views, the highest vistas, and beautiful lakes are all found in this area. Many hikers go out for a few hours. Others hike for several weeks. Looking for a premier hike? Try the trail to Bean and Bear Lakes. It is among the most scenic. Be sure to carry a SHT guidebook and all maps, so you can choose the hikes that best suit your abilities. Learn more at shta.org.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
This area is right in the middle of the best biking on the shore. We are 40 minutes from trails at Britton Peak and one hour from Duluth’s vast trail system. Starting in 2018, a new 50-mile system will be built in Beaver Bay, with options for winter fat tire riding.
BACKPACKING FOR BIKERS
Backpacking for bikers is the new fat tire sport of overnight, self-supported bike touring on rugged roads or trails. It is popular on the North Shore State Trail, a snowmobile route that runs through forests along the ridgeline which runs from Duluth to Grand Marais. Learn More »
BIRDING
Twenty-six warblers nest on the North Shore. We have raptors, owls, gulls and many other kinds of birds in our area. Peregrine falcons nest on Palisade Head, just three miles from Silver Bay, and many other places. Our area is not only a birding hotspot, it provides endless ways to get into the woods to enjoy this activity.
WATERFALL VIEWING
The North Shore is known for fabulous waterfalls. Many are close by, including the Beaver River Falls, and High Falls and the Cascades on the Baptism River at Tettegouche State Park. Spring is prime waterfall season. You can see many falls from the road, or if you prefer to hike, it is a great time to be on the trails. With proper footwear (with crampons that slip over your boots), you can enjoy the trails and watch the rivers rush by. For a complete guide to the Silver Bay area’s waterfalls, visit: northernwilds.com/waterfalls
