SHT Thru-Hike itinerary
Every mile marker on the SHT Thru-Hike route, in order, with the distance and elevation change between each one, and which permit each stretch needs. To set alerts for your dates, go to the Superior Hiking Trail Thru-Hike permit page.
Which permit covers this route
The SHT Thru-Hike. One reservation is a trailhead or zone plus an entry date; you roam after that, issued by walk-up.
- Stops mapped
- 11
- Across the markers
- 300.0 mi
- Published route length
- 300 mi
- Published ascent
- 37,821 ft
How long it takes: 2-4 weeks. That is the figure the permit publishes. This page does not divide the route into days, because no source records which stop you sleep at.
The stops below are the route's published mile markers, in order, with the elevations recorded against each one.
Distance and elevation change on each leg are the difference between the two published figures either side of it, so the legs are arithmetic on the markers and nothing more.
Adding up only the climbs between markers gives 1,799 ft, which is a floor rather than the total: anything that rises and falls between two markers is invisible to it.
The SHT Thru-Hike route, stop by stop
Mile 0.0
922 ft
Minnesota-Wisconsin Border (Southern Terminus)
The SHT's southern end, where it meets the North Country Trail. It is an out-and-back from the Wild Valley Road trailhead.
2.5 miles · 16 ft up to Wild Valley Road Trailhead
Mile 2.5
938 ft
Wild Valley Road Trailhead
The usual starting trailhead, north of the border terminus.
19.6 miles · 2 ft up to Spirit Mountain
Mile 22.1
940 ft
Spirit Mountain
Ski area with sweeping views of the St. Louis River valley.
94.3 miles · 313 ft down to Split Rock River Loop
Mile 116.4
627 ft
Split Rock River Loop
Dramatic waterfalls and gorges where the river meets Lake Superior
30.5 miles · 280 ft up to Tettegouche State Park
Mile 146.9
907 ft
Tettegouche State Park
High cliffs, Shovel Point, and Baptism River falls
52.7 miles · 605 ft up to Carlton Peak
Mile 199.6
1,512 ft
Carlton Peak
360-degree views from exposed volcanic rock summit
7.5 miles · 35 ft up to Oberg Mountain Loop
Mile 207.1
1,547 ft
Oberg Mountain Loop
Iconic 2.3-mile side loop with panoramic views. Peak fall colors destination.
3.7 miles · 2 ft down to Lutsen Mountains
Mile 210.8
1,545 ft
Lutsen Mountains
Ski area crossover with North Shore views
38.4 miles · 523 ft down to Devil Track River
Mile 249.2
1,022 ft
Devil Track River
Deep canyon carved through volcanic rock
10.5 miles · 201 ft down to Kadunce River
Mile 259.7
821 ft
Kadunce River
Narrow slot canyon accessible via short spur trail.
40.3 miles · 861 ft up to 270-Degree Overlook (Northern Terminus)
Mile 300.0
1,682 ft
270-Degree Overlook (Northern Terminus)
Northern terminus with panoramic views
Getting a SHT Thru-Hike for the dates you want
Planning the route is the easy half. SHT Thru-Hike dates go fast, and the ones that come back are cancellations. They return to the booking system without warning and are gone again quickly. PermitSnag checks SHT Thru-Hike around the clock and alerts you the moment a date opens.