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Gitchi-Gami Trail Association
 
When completed, the Gitchi-Gami State Trail (GGST) will be an 89-mile non-motorized, paved recreational trail between Two Harbors and Grand Marais, Minnesota, along Lake Superior's beautiful and historic North Shore. Several segments of the trail, totaling over 34 miles, are complete! 

Segments constructed to date:

1) Grand Marais to Cut Face Creek State Wayside.  Use City of Grand Marais trail to connect to the Gitchi-Gami for an over 5 mile ride one way on this great trail segment that features swoops, great views, and the Cut Face Creek Wayside has a great beach for a dip or a picnic. Vault toilets and limited parking are also available at Cut Face Creek State Wayside. Check it out!

2) Lutsen (Ski Hill Road) to Schroeder. There are trailheads at either end, and several points in the middle for this about 12 mile ride. There is a 1/2 mile gap in the trail in Tofte, so please use extreme caution when traveling between the area near the Commercial Fishing Museum and Sawtooth Outfitters. This segment also features a ride through Temperance River State Park. If you are on the shore this summer, you will notice that there is active construction from Ski Hill Road into the town center area of Lutsen. Please be mindful of trail work in this corridor-- we're so excited for this new trail addition!

3) Silver Bay to Gooseberry Falls State Park. Find the trailhead for this 17 mile segment near the Rukavina Arean in Silver Bay. From there you travel trail over rivers, through the woods, and through two communities, and two state parks! This is a great trail segment for legging it out, and offers some bike/hike camping opportunities at Split Rock Lighthouse State Park, Gooseberry Falls State Park or check out local camping opportunities in Silver Bay!

4) Silver Creek Cliff Segment. This short-but-sweet 1/2 mile of trail is located atop the old Highway 61 road grade, offering spectacular views. It's a great trail segment to check out on foot, and provides awe-mazing selfie opportunities!

Click HERE for a link to MnDNR's map of the Gitchi-Gami Trail!


In addition to trail projects, MnDOT worked to establish Minnesota's second United States Bicycle Route  in our state-- this new route, USBR41/The North Star Route follows trails and connecting roads from St. Paul to beyond Grand Portage at the border with Canada. We are happy that this designation may bring more attention to the Gitchi-Gami Trail, and we also hope to use the designation to highlight the need for more trail to ensure the safest possible route is offered to touring cyclists. Learn more about USBR41/The North Star Route on our page here. 

With the construction of the Gitchi-Gami State Trail, as well as wide shoulders on portions of Highway 61 and paved state and county roads, the North Shore of Lake Superior is becoming a premier bicycling destination. The trail is also popular with walkers, joggers and skaters. There is no fee or trail pass required to use the trail, although parking in the state parks does require a daily or annual pass.

The Gitchi-Gami Trail Association (GGTA) is an all-volunteer nonprofit organization formed to work with the Minnesota Departments of Transportation and Natural Resources, and the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission, in the planning, development, construction, maintenance, and promotion of the trail, and to organize trail activities, including the Annual Ride. We welcome your help, through volunteer assistance and membership.

Read about what the GGTA -- including the board, executive director, and trail coordinator -- have been up to, in our current Summer 2023 newsletter!


NEWSLETTER ARCHIVE

Fall 2022 
Fall 2020
Winter 2020 
Spring 2019 
Fall 2018 Newsletter
Spring 2018 newsletter
Fall 2017 newsletter
Spring 2017 newsletter 
Fall 2016 newsletter 
Spring/Summer 2016 newsletter 
Fall 2015 newsletter 
Spring/Summer 2015 newsletter  
Fall 2014 newsletter 
Summer 2014 newsletter

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Gitchi Gami Trail Map
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Gitchi-Gami State Trail!


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