Hiking and driving fall color tours of the North Shore are a great way to get outside and experience something really special! If you’re planning a North Shore fall color getaway, It’s the prefect time to do some fall color hiking! There are also some amazing fall color driving routes.
The North Shore fall color season lasts throughout September and October. Peak season lands during the last two weeks of September and the first week of October.
Below are a variety of fall color hiking and driving routes on Minnesota’s North Shore of Lake Superior.
HIKE | Hawk Ridge Nature Reserve in Duluth
Hawk Ridge Bird Observatory is well known as one of the best locations in the US for hawk-watching during the fall migration. Hike four miles of trails that wind through a diverse ecosystem. In the fall, there are bird counting activities and educational programs available.
HIKE | Gooseberry Falls Fifth Falls Trail
Take this easy two-mile roundtrip hike at Gooseberry Falls State Park.
From the Visitor Center, it’s a quick walk to the three main Gooseberry Falls. Fifth Falls is upstream from these – just a 1-mile hike one-way!
This trail tends to be a little less crowded than the main falls, so it’s a good opportunity to explore more of the Gooseberry River.
HIKE | North Shore Scenic Lookout
In Silver Bay, MN, hike under the golden birch canopy in early – mid October on this easy trail.
The easy loop offers a few lookouts over Lake Superior, the town and hillside of Silver Bay, and the Clevland Cliffs taconite processing facility. There is even an intreperative pannel that explains how taconite is produced inside of the facility!
In Silver Bay, turn off Highway 61 onto Outer Drive (at the traffic light). Just past the North Shore Federal Credit Union, turn left on City Shop Road. The switchback road takes you to a parking lot for the North Shore Scenic Lookout.
HIKE | Oberg Mountain Loop
Only going for one hike? Pick this one during the early season of maple colors!
Take an ascending loop with sweeping Lake Superior views and vast maple hillsides of the Superior National Forest. The loop is about 2.3 miles. It has numerous lookouts where you can see for miles over Lake Superior and the bright orange and red maple hillsides.
This is a very popular hiking trail, and for good reason! Plan to go midweek or early in the day to avoid tons of other people.
Trailhead and parking are 2 miles up the Onion River Road, between Tofte and Lutsen.
HIKE & RIDE | Gondola Loop
This is possibly the most unique fall color experience in the North!
Take the day and enjoy a hike on the Superior Hiking Trail and a ride on Lutsen Mountain’s Summit Express Gondola.
Go to Lutsen Mountains and purchase a one-way ticket for the spectacular gondola ride. The views of the bright red and orange maples is outstanding!
Get out and visit the Summit Chalet for more great views, and get a drink and a snack while you’re at it.
Then, hike back to the base on the Superior Hiking Trail. It is a longer hike of about 4.5 miles.
Or, if you don’t want to hike, just enjoy the amazing gondola ride which elevates you above the treetops for views that are second to none!
DRIVE | Honeymoon Loop
Drive the Honeymoon Loop through beautiful maple canopy and rolling hills, crossing the Poplar River. Best in mid-September.
Take the Caribou Trail (Cook County 4) north 6.7 miles. Turn left on Forest Road 164 (Honeymoon Trail). Turn left on the Sawbill Trail (Cook County 2) to head back to Hwy 61 in Tofte.
This is a narrow gravel road. Be mindful of commercial logging and gravel trucks on this smaller road.
DRIVE | County Road 60
An especially handsome drive, this Grand Marais back road showcases canopies of sugar maples and occasional glimpses of maple hillsides.
From Hwy 61, head north on the Gunflint Trail, then east on County Rd 60, then south two miles on County Rd 14 back to Hwy 61.
DRIVE | Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway
This scenic route takes you 57 miles inland through remote forest with golden birch and aspen and shimmering tamarack in late fall.
Explore hiking trails such as Honeymoon Bluff with it’s amazing view of Hungry Jack Lake, the Magnetic Rock Trail, and the nature trails around the Chik-Wauk Museum and Nature Center. Look for moose and other wildlife along the way!
See more things to do on the Gunflint Trail.
HIKE OR DRIVE | Mount Josephine/Grand Portage
Mount Josephine is one of the highest peaks on the North Shore. It’s located in Grand Portage, near the Canadian border.
The hike is a steep 1-mile one-way hike. The top rewards you with stunning views of the Grand Portage Bay, Wauswaugoning Bay, Susie Islands, and Isle Royale (on a clear day).
If you’d rather drive, pull off at the Mt. Josephine wayside off of Highway 61. There is a viewing platform to see the Wauswaugoning Bay and the Suzie Islands. It is not the same view as the hike, but still quite nice (and easy to access).
You may also like
Guide to North Shore Peak Fall Colors
Cutface Creek: Biking and Beach on Lake Superior
Fall Colors and Events Guide
