Gitchi-Gami State Trail
Completed segments link parks, towns, forest, cliffs, and Lake Superior views while a long-planned continuous route remains unfinished.
Artwork inspired by George Morrison
Gitchi-Gami is a developing trail rather than one uninterrupted path. The longest sections near Gooseberry, Split Rock, Beaver Bay, Silver Bay, Schroeder, and Grand Marais combine smooth pavement with grades shaped by North Shore terrain.
Study the segment map before riding: highway shoulders or local roads separate completed pieces, and some gaps are unsuitable for casual cyclists. Lake wind, fog, construction, and limited services matter. A short state-park segment can be excellent without pretending the full route is complete.
- Planned length
- About 89 miles
- Status
- Built in segments
- Use
- Cycling and walking
Quick guide
- Surface
- Ride paved shoreline segments separated by unfinished gaps
- Critical check
- Verify the chosen segment is actually complete
Choose a finished segment and understand every gap
- Start with
- Use a completed lakefront segment to experience Superior views without assuming the full route is continuous.
- Look closely at
- The Split Rock segment combines landmark scenery with real grades, road crossings, and exposed shoreline weather.
- Connect the story
- Notice how the paved route rises through forest rather than following the consistently gentle profile of a rail trail.
- Plan around
- Check the current segment map and design a safe return; substantial gaps still separate completed sections.
Good to know
Online maps can visually connect separated segments; never assume an apparent line means protected trail exists between them.
Notice these
- Lake Superior overlooks
- Split Rock segment
- Paved forest grades