Expert
Minnesota · United States
- Distance
- 38.5 km / 23.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 272 m
- Typical duration
- 9 hr 8 min
- Lake
- Mountain
- Forest
Best Forest Hikes in Minnesota
The directory currently contains 8 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Minnesota. Their average mapped distance is 24.3 km and average recorded ascent is 227 m (745 ft); the longest route in the set is 49.9 km.
This subset represents 13% of the 61 quality-checked routes in Minnesota. Its average distance is 24.3 km, compared with 40.8 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 227 m (745 ft), versus 187 m (614 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.
These routes carry the forest tag. The data does not quantify canopy cover or guarantee shade along every section. Within this set, 0 routes (0%) are rated easy, 4 (50%) are rated hard or expert, and 5 (63%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.
Data refreshed September 2026
Choose by the details
How do these routes differ?
A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.
Shortest mapped distance in this sample
5.2 km
Eagle Mountain TrailCompare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.
Lowest recorded ascent in this sample
147 m
Powwow Trail6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.
Return logistics
4 recorded loops
Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.
Plan the return journey →Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.
Trails
Moderate
Minnesota · United States
- Distance
- 10.5 km / 6.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 185 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 28 min
- Lake
- Mountain
- Forest
Expert
Minnesota · United States
- Distance
- 48.5 km / 30.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 147 m
- Typical duration
- 11 hr
- Mountain
- Forest
Expert
Minnesota · United States
- Distance
- 49.9 km / 31.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 490 m
- Typical duration
- 12 hr
- Mountain
- Forest
Hard
Minnesota · United States
- Distance
- 21.0 km / 13.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 358 m
- Typical duration
- 5 hr 6 min
- Forest
Moderate
Minnesota · United States
- Distance
- 5.2 km / 3.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 166 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 20 min
- Mountain
- Forest
Moderate
Minnesota · United States
- Distance
- 13.3 km / 8.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 111 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 57 min
- Forest
Moderate
Minnesota · United States
- Distance
- 7.5 km / 4.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 87 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 41 min
- Forest
The shortlist, side by side
The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time | Difficulty | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snowbank and Disappointment Lakes LoopMinnesota | 38.5 km | 272 m | 9 hr 8 min | Expert | April to October |
| Brule Lake TrailMinnesota | 10.5 km | 185 m | 2 hr 28 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Powwow TrailMinnesota | 48.5 km | 147 m | 11 hr | Expert | April to October |
| Sioux-Hustler TrailMinnesota | 49.9 km | 490 m | 12 hr | Expert | April to October |
| Angleworm TrailMinnesota | 21.0 km | 358 m | 5 hr 6 min | Hard | April to October |
| Eagle Mountain TrailMinnesota | 5.2 km | 166 m | 1 hr 20 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Norway TrailMinnesota | 13.3 km | 111 m | 2 hr 57 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Hogback Lupus Trail LoopMinnesota | 7.5 km | 87 m | 1 hr 41 min | Moderate | April to October |
Snowbank and Disappointment Lakes Loop, Brule Lake Trail, Sioux-Hustler Trail currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Plan with more confidence
All planning articles →Choosing a route
How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label
Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.
Read article →Understanding the map
Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb
Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.
Read article →Planning your day
Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace
Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.
Read article →Related guides
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