Superior Hiking Trail from Pincushion Mountain is a 9.5 mile lightly trafficked out and back trail located near Grand Marais, Minnesota that features a river and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking, running, and nature trips and is best used from June until October. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.
January 26, 2021Snowshoed in the new trail. Great markings and not confusing at all! Hiked to the lookout and back on same trail.
October 24, 2020beautiful views and hike, worth the mud and elevation!
October 15, 2020
September 30, 2020Very confusing. Once they put up more trail markers it will be 5+ stars!!! New trail starts at end of parking lot and runs on the right side of a ATV trail. Please download this app and follow to make sure you don’t ever too far towards Superior! We took ATV out and beautiful foot trail back!! Wish we knew about the foot trail on the way there!
September 21, 2020Beautiful new section of trail with many awesome new boardwalks. Follow the blue blazes for the SHT and then the white spur for the Lookout. The map is slightly different so look for the SHT. The SHT volunteers do an amazing job on the trails.
September 21, 2020Pretty simple out-and-back to follow (with the All Trails map), could easily take a wrong turn otherwise. 5-star views at the overlook!
September 16, 2020I have so many mixed feelings about this hike. We tried to take the GREEN path (as labeled on maps and the website) to take a 1 mile hike get to the overlook and then just take the same 1 mile journey to come back. However, the maps at the trailhead were confusing, there were 3-4 different trails to choose from leading out of the parking lot without any clear markings, and the trail we chose was POORLY marked. The hike took us well over 2 hours up and back -- BUT it was a remarkably beautiful hike! There were so many wildflowers, densely forested areas, and fungi galore. The overlook is not to be missed (especially with the blossoming fall colors) and was so worth the lengthy trek with 3 kids. Just do NOT take this hike if you are on a time crunch or competing with nighttime. Give yourself plenty of time to get lost because, with the poor markings of this path, you probably will!
September 11, 2020Loved it! Beautiful outlook, a little hard to follow the path, accidentally started at the wrong trailhead but thankfully the paths connect. You do have to walk up a steep rock wall to get to the outlook but it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. We were greeted by this cute fox friend at the top.
September 8, 2020Ouch. My legs still hurt from doing this. We know and love the area and always stay nearby. Started from the parking lot on County Rd. 58, about 7 miles out and back to the summit of Pincushion, which we did in about 3.5 hours with stops for lunch and snacks. Hiking poles would've been helpful, and there's a lot of up and down (90 flights climbed according to my app), but the trail is well maintained and gorgeous each step of the way. We're in our 40s and although not regular hikers, fit enough, so it's a good trail for all skill levels, provided you give yourself the time.
August 22, 2020August 16, 2020Gorgeous!
August 15, 2020Honestly! I dont know how the shat isnt more popular. It is a fantastic trail with great views, feels remote yet next to small towns for supplies, wild life, free camping right off the road... etc. it's one of those trails where I almost hesitate to write a review because it's *that* good. views are stunning here and seems to be a trail only done by locals and a few really tuned in minneapolis folks, such a hidden gem, you can tell who is really jiving with nature if they're on the shat should absolutely be on top of your list if you want the true mn experience
August 11, 2020Spectacular! We loved the Superior Hiking Trail from the Pincushion Mountain Trail Head. We hiked from the trail head to the overlook. We were very impressed with the amount of work people have put on to this trail! Thank you and well done!!
July 28, 2020We spent three nights in Grand Marais so this trail was really close to us. We started at the 58 toad lot. There were no bugs which was great. There were some challenging sections with roots and elevation but certainly manageable. Hiking poles would have been really helpful. Beautiful views and scenery. Highly recommend this hike.
July 21, 2020This should not be listed as mountain bike trail. No mountain bikes are allowed.
July 20, 2020Took everyone else’s recommendations, and I started at the trailhead off of 58—definitely recommend doing it this way. You go uphill on the way up to the pincushion lookout and downhill most of the way back. And like everyone says, you for the most part avoid hiking along a cross-country skiing path, which is a bit weird. Of note, to get to the lookout you have to take a spur trail that’s clearly marked but off of the AllTrails route.
July 4, 2020Lots of sun exposure on wide snowmobile trail. A section goes through a marsh with water on both sides but the trail was dry. Then goes through a stand of Norway pine with recent logging activity
September 24, 2019I followed the recommendation to begin at hwy 58 and appreciated the tip. Anyone who mentions wide trails is taking about the opposite end. I hiked the 2.4 miles to the bridge and back and didn’t come across any atv trails. There are some steep inclines and rocks and roots along the way, but it’s navigable. The trail is mostly shaded, so a fall hike in the early afternoon was really comfortable! I was trucking it, and made it in about 2 hrs 10 minutes with a short break at the bridge. I’ll hike this again!
September 15, 2019It muddy because it rained heavy the day before. Started at Hwy 58 like others suggested and was glad we did. Hiked 8.2 round trip because we didn't go on to the pincushion parking lot. In about a week the leaves will be breathtaking and the views from the very top are beautiful. Like others have said, make sure to go beyond the first big rock at the top.
September 8, 2019Pincushion Mountain trialhead to County Road 6 parking (at Forest Road 115).
August 25, 2019Great trail. Started from hwy 58 and went to the atv trail about 2.7 miles and back to 58. No bugs and well marked
August 10, 2019Hiked this trail today from the highway 58 side to the top of pincushion. Awesome hike! During the day, essentially no bugs and almost no people. Avoid doing it from the pincushion parking lot as the map indicates...it just ads about 2 miles of “blah” hiking on a four wheeler path. If you take it from the highway 58 side it gets beautiful quickly and gets your cardio up. Did it out and back...about 7.4 miles in about 3.25 hours with a stop on the top of pincushion for a snack. Breathtaking beauty...could be the best trail in Minnesota.
July 7, 2019As far as hikes go, this is pretty boring. Wide cross country ski trails which are well maintained. But as long as you know beforehand, you shouldn’t be disappointed. I would totally hike this again for the views at the top though. Absolutely breathtaking!
May 26, 2019Start from the SHT trailhead at highway 58 and do the out and back to Pincushion Mountain. Excellent views of Lake Superior.
October 25, 2018Light rain falling but still safe until the rock climb to the top, hug the left side, as the rock is slippery. Beautiful overlook.
October 16, 2018Not bad. Overlook was very pretty with great views, but the trail was a wide cross country ski trail, so it didn't feel real rustic.
July 9, 2018Start at Woods Creek, walk along Devils Track, and up to the summit on Pincushion and you will not be disappointed.
June 30, 2018The Pincushion Mountain trails are great for skiing, but a little boring for hiking--wide grassy trails. There are great views from the overlook. The trail along the Devil Track River is much more interesting.
