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Loop Trails in Minnesota

The directory currently contains 15 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Minnesota. Their average mapped distance is 17.9 km and average recorded ascent is 151 m (495 ft); the longest route in the set is 49.9 km.

This subset represents 25% of the 61 quality-checked routes in Minnesota. Its average distance is 17.9 km, compared with 40.8 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 151 m (495 ft), versus 187 m (614 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

Every route in this set is classified as a loop and returns to its starting area. A loop can still reuse part of the same path. Within this set, 7 routes (47%) are rated easy, 6 (40%) are rated hard or expert, and 15 (100%) 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

21.0 km

Angleworm Trail

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

147 m

Powwow Trail

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

6 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

Horseshoe lake, where the portage trail crosses the powwow hiking trail
Expert

Powwow Trail

Minnesota · United States

Distance
48.5 km
/ 30.1 mi
Elevation gain
147 m
Typical duration
11 hr
  • Mountain
  • Forest
The Little Indian Sioux River as it passes Echo Trail (Ely-Buyck Road) in the Superior National Forest near Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA) entry point (EP) 9 / 14.
Expert

Sioux-Hustler Trail

Minnesota · United States

Distance
49.9 km
/ 31.0 mi
Elevation gain
490 m
Typical duration
12 hr
  • Mountain
  • Forest
Hard

Angleworm Trail

Minnesota · United States

Distance
21.0 km
/ 13.1 mi
Elevation gain
358 m
Typical duration
5 hr 6 min
  • Forest
Hard

Snowbank Trail

Minnesota · United States

Distance
32.7 km
/ 20.3 mi
Elevation gain
292 m
Typical duration
7 hr 47 min
Easy

Baltimore Oriole Loop

Minnesota · United States

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
8 m
Typical duration
11 min
Easy

Scarlet Tanager Loop

Minnesota · United States

Distance
1.8 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
34 m
Typical duration
26 min
Easy

Lake Elmo Trail

Minnesota · United States

Distance
3.7 km
/ 2.3 mi
Elevation gain
24 m
Typical duration
48 min
  • Lake
Historic Sugar Loaf Brewery Building with Sugar Loaf Bluff rising behind it in Winona, Minnesota.
Moderate

Sugar Loaf Trail

Minnesota · United States

Distance
1.0 km
/ 0.6 mi
Elevation gain
133 m
Typical duration
25 min
Easy

Brown's Pond Trail

Minnesota · United States

Distance
4.1 km
/ 2.6 mi
Elevation gain
29 m
Typical duration
54 min
Easy

Pike Island Trail

Minnesota · United States

Distance
5.1 km
/ 3.1 mi
Typical duration
1 hr 3 min
Easy

Hiking Club Trail

Minnesota · United States

Distance
1.9 km
/ 1.1 mi
Typical duration
23 min
Moderate

Hogback Lupus Trail Loop

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.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
Snowbank and Disappointment Lakes LoopMinnesota38.5 km272 m9 hr 8 minExpertApril to October
Powwow TrailMinnesota48.5 km147 m11 hrExpertApril to October
Sioux-Hustler TrailMinnesota49.9 km490 m12 hrExpertApril to October
Snowbank and Old Pines LoopMinnesota47.9 km375 m11 hrExpertApril to October
Angleworm TrailMinnesota21.0 km358 m5 hr 6 minHardApril to October
Snowbank TrailMinnesota32.7 km292 m7 hr 47 minHardApril to October
Baltimore Oriole LoopMinnesota0.8 km8 m11 minEasyApril to October
Scarlet Tanager LoopMinnesota1.8 km34 m26 minEasyApril to October
Lake Elmo TrailMinnesota3.7 km24 m48 minEasyApril to October
Sugar Loaf TrailMinnesota1.0 km133 m25 minModerateApril to October

Snowbank and Disappointment Lakes Loop, Sioux-Hustler Trail, Powwow 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 →

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