SHT Thru-Hike itinerary
Every published 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 watch dates and set alerts, 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
- 23
- Across the markers
- 310.0 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.
These two figures disagree. The mile markers run to 310.0 miles, past the 300 miles published for the route. Both are printed as recorded.
The SHT Thru-Hike route, stop by stop
Mile 0.0
Wild Valley Road (Southern Terminus)
Official start of the SHT near the Wisconsin border.
15.0 miles to Jay Cooke State Park
Mile 15.0
Jay Cooke State Park
Dramatic gorge of the St. Louis River. First state park crossing.
13.0 miles to Spirit Mountain
Mile 28.0
Spirit Mountain
Ski area with sweeping views of the St. Louis River valley.
10.0 miles to Chester Bowl
Mile 38.0
Chester Bowl
Urban trail section through Duluth. Limited camping options.
7.0 miles to Split Rock River Loop
Mile 45.0
Split Rock River Loop
Dramatic waterfalls and gorges where the river meets Lake Superior
10.0 miles to Gooseberry Falls State Park
Mile 55.0
Gooseberry Falls State Park
Five waterfalls cascading into Lake Superior. Popular resupply point.
5.0 miles to Split Rock Lighthouse
Mile 60.0
Split Rock Lighthouse
Iconic lighthouse visible from the trail. State park with camping.
15.0 miles to Tettagouche State Park
Mile 75.0
Tettagouche State Park
High cliffs, Shovel Point, and Baptism River falls
5.0 miles to Palisade Head
Mile 80.0
Palisade Head
350-foot rhyolite cliffs with dramatic Lake Superior views.
10.0 miles to Carlton Peak
Mile 90.0
Carlton Peak
360-degree views from exposed volcanic rock summit
10.0 miles to Temperance River State Park
Mile 100.0
Temperance River State Park
River carved through volcanic rock creating deep potholes and cascades.
8.0 miles to Oberg Mountain Loop
Mile 108.0
Oberg Mountain Loop
Iconic 2.3-mile side loop with panoramic views. Peak fall colors destination.
12.0 miles to Lutsen Mountains
Mile 120.0
Lutsen Mountains
Ski area crossover with North Shore views
15.0 miles to Cascade River State Park
Mile 135.0
Cascade River State Park
18 waterfalls along the Cascade River. Popular camping area.
15.0 miles to Good Harbor Bay
Mile 150.0
Good Harbor Bay
Lake Superior beach access and dramatic shoreline views.
15.0 miles to Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Mile 165.0
Judge C.R. Magney State Park
Home to Devil's Kettle—a waterfall that disappears into a pothole.
15.0 miles to Devil Track River
Mile 180.0
Devil Track River
Deep canyon carved through volcanic rock
15.0 miles to Kadunce River
Mile 195.0
Kadunce River
Narrow slot canyon accessible via short spur trail.
15.0 miles to Grand Marais
Mile 210.0
Grand Marais
Trail town with full services. Last major resupply before northern terminus.
20.0 miles to Border Route Trail Junction
Mile 230.0
Border Route Trail Junction
Intersection with 65-mile Border Route Trail to BWCAW.
50.0 miles to Grand Portage State Park
Mile 280.0
Grand Portage State Park
High Falls of Pigeon River—Minnesota's tallest waterfall at 120 feet.
15.0 miles to Mount Josephine
Mile 295.0
Mount Josephine
Last major summit with views into Canada.
15.0 miles to 270-Degree Overlook (Northern Terminus)
Mile 310.0
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 watches SHT Thru-Hike around the clock and alerts you the moment a date opens.