When hikers ask which trails in Minnesota are worth a full day — or several — the conversation always circles back to the same handful of routes. Below we've ranked the ten longest hiking trails in Minnesota by total mapped distance, drawing from the 9,679 trails OutsideAtlas currently tracks in the state. Each entry includes the distance, what makes the route distinctive, and an honest note on who should actually attempt it.
Minnesota's North Shore (Lake Superior) and Boundary Waters define its hiking identity — rocky shoreline, boreal forest, and the rolling Sawtooth ridges. Superior Hiking Trail is the country's signature regional long-distance trail; the Border Route adds another 65 miles into the BWCAW. Late May through early October — summer brings mosquitoes; fall colors in late September peak the visual experience.
Our rankings here are data-driven — pulled from the 9,679 mapped entries OutsideAtlas tracks in Minnesota — but the data has limits worth being honest about. OpenStreetMap distance tags are crowd-sourced and inconsistent. A route may appear longer or shorter than the official measurement, especially when long-distance trails (like state and national scenic trails) are tagged in segments rather than as a single relation.
The Ranking
Ranked from #1 to #10. Click through any entry for the full trail page — map, elevation profile, weather forecast, and direct OpenStreetMap source link.
#1. Soldiers Field track
At 0.20 mi, Soldiers Field track tops the list — a route built for hikers who plan in days, not hours. Expect 0.20 mi, clay surface on a forgiving grade. Local trail-association reports tend to agree this is one of the better-maintained options in the area, which matters more on a hike of this length than on a quick walk. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Soldiers Field track trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#2. Mondeaux Dam
Mondeaux Dam earns the #2 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect 1,401 ft of gain on a forgiving grade. The route is well documented in OpenStreetMap, which is what put it on our radar — community-mapped routes tend to be the ones that get hiked enough to stay open. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Mondeaux Dam trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#3. Connector from Mill Towns State Trail to the Cannon River Carry-in Access
Connector from Mill Towns State Trail to the Cannon River Carry-in Access earns the #3 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect ground surface on a forgiving grade. It earns its ranking on the data, but trail conditions can change quickly after storms or fire seasons, so verify before you commit a full day. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Connector from Mill Towns State Trail to the Cannon River Carry-in Access trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#4. Ice Age Trail - Chaffee Creek Segment at Pleasant Lake (loop spur)
Ice Age Trail - Chaffee Creek Segment at Pleasant Lake (loop spur) earns the #4 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect dirt surface on a forgiving grade. Compared to similar trails in Minnesota, this route trades difficulty for either solitude or scenery — sometimes both. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Ice Age Trail - Chaffee Creek Segment at Pleasant Lake (loop spur) trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#5. Path to Five-Mile Bluff Prairie State Natural Area viewpoint
Path to Five-Mile Bluff Prairie State Natural Area viewpoint earns the #5 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect ground surface on a forgiving grade. What makes this one earn its spot on the list is the combination of mapped detail and the kind of through-and-through experience that justifies a longer drive. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Path to Five-Mile Bluff Prairie State Natural Area viewpoint trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#6. Willmar State Hospital Underground Tunnel System Access Ramp
Willmar State Hospital Underground Tunnel System Access Ramp earns the #6 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect concrete surface on a forgiving grade. Local trail-association reports tend to agree this is one of the better-maintained options in the area, which matters more on a hike of this length than on a quick walk. A paved surface makes this one of the more accessible options on the list — good for strollers, mobility aids, and wet-weather days. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Willmar State Hospital Underground Tunnel System Access Ramp trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#7. C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail/Superior Hiking Trail
C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail/Superior Hiking Trail earns the #7 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect grass surface on a forgiving grade. The route is well documented in OpenStreetMap, which is what put it on our radar — community-mapped routes tend to be the ones that get hiked enough to stay open. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the C.J. Ramstad/North Shore State Trail/Superior Hiking Trail trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#8. Superior Hiking Trail / CJ Ramstad/North Shore State Trail
Superior Hiking Trail / CJ Ramstad/North Shore State Trail earns the #8 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect ground surface on a forgiving grade. It earns its ranking on the data, but trail conditions can change quickly after storms or fire seasons, so verify before you commit a full day. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Superior Hiking Trail / CJ Ramstad/North Shore State Trail trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#9. Ice Age Trail - Chaffee Creek Segment at Pleasant Lake
Ice Age Trail - Chaffee Creek Segment at Pleasant Lake earns the #9 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect dirt surface on a forgiving grade. Compared to similar trails in Minnesota, this route trades difficulty for either solitude or scenery — sometimes both. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Ice Age Trail - Chaffee Creek Segment at Pleasant Lake trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.#10. Superior Hiking Spur Trail / Red Dot/Moose Walk Trails
Superior Hiking Spur Trail / Red Dot/Moose Walk Trails earns the #10 spot for its sheer distance, though the exact mileage in OpenStreetMap data is a rough estimate. Expect ground surface on a forgiving grade. What makes this one earn its spot on the list is the combination of mapped detail and the kind of through-and-through experience that justifies a longer drive. The natural-surface tread can get slick after rain and muddy in spring — pick a dry weather window if you have the flexibility. Plan as a multi-day if you're not used to single-push 20+ mile days; resupply or shuttle logistics matter here. See full trail details, map, and current weather on OutsideAtlas for the most current information.
Open the Superior Hiking Spur Trail / Red Dot/Moose Walk Trails trail page →Map, elevation profile, current weather, and OSM source.Planning your Minnesota trip
A few pieces of context are worth keeping in mind specifically for Minnesota. Late May through early October — summer brings mosquitoes; fall colors in late September peak the visual experience. Black bears, hypothermia even in summer near Lake Superior, and intense mosquito and blackfly seasons in early summer.
Always cross-reference the official land-manager page before driving out — closures, fire restrictions, and seasonal road access can change quickly. Our trail pages link directly back to the OpenStreetMap source so you can see the tags we're working from.
If you're new to hiking generally, our beginner's guide covers footwear, layering, and the day-pack basics. For safety planning on bigger objectives, the ten essentials guide is worth twenty minutes of reading.
More Minnesota hiking guides
If you found this useful, the rest of our Minnesota coverage continues below.
- Steepest trails in Minnesota — Hikes with the most elevation gain in the state.
- Best beginner hikes in Minnesota — Easy, well-marked trails for first-time hikers.
- Most challenging hikes in Minnesota — Expert-rated routes for experienced hikers only.
- Best national parks in Minnesota — Federal parks and recreation areas ranked.
- Best waterfall hikes in Minnesota — Trails leading to named falls, ranked by accessibility.
- Best dog-friendly hikes in Minnesota — Where leashed dogs are explicitly welcome.
- Best family hikes in Minnesota — Short, easy trails sized for kids and grandparents.
Rankings like this are starting points, not verdicts. Trail conditions change, new routes get tagged, and what was the toughest trail in Minnesota last year might not be next year. We refresh these articles when the underlying data shifts meaningfully.
Got a correction, a route we missed, or a question? Drop us a note via the contact page. We read every email and we'd rather hear it from you than miss it.
