Summer Treks

Did you know Minnesota has a national scenic trail? If not, you're not alone. The North Country Trail is one of Minnesota's best-kept secrets—but now is your chance to familiarize yourself with this 4,600-mile hiking trail, which stretches from North Dakota to upstate New York.

This summer the Itasca Moraine Chapter celebrates the completion of the trail from the west border of the Chippewa National Forest to Itasca State Park by offering the public a chance to hike that section of the trail. The 40-mile length has been divided into 16 guided hikes offered every Saturday through August. If a hike is postponed due to bad weather, it will be rescheduled at the end of the summer.

Click here to view the schedule of hikes; or contact Beth Trout, (218) 675-5448, jbtrout@tds.net. For more information on the Itasca Moraine Chapter, click here. To find out more about the trail itself, click here.

Quick facts about the trail:
• Longest hiking path in the United States
• Managed by the National Park Service (with the help of more than 800 volunteers)
• Passes through 10 National Forests
• Created by Congress in 1980

So gather up the family and enjoy a section (or more!) of this beautiful natural gem. And please share your thoughts with us. Just register or sign in to add a comment.