Gentle Hikes of Minnesota's North Shore The North Shore's Most Scenic Hikes Under 3 Miles

Hiking the North Shore is for everyone, and this guidebook proves it. Gentle Hikes of Minnesota’s North Shore shows you where to find 45 of the best short hikes—three miles or less—between Duluth and the Canadian border. Plus, fantastic hikes aren’t the only things you’ll find. This handy book features 13 scenic walks (less than a mile long), 20 waysides and scenic locales, and 15 picnic areas. Authors Ladona Tornabene, Melanie Morgan and Lisa Vogelsang also share research-based facts about the benefits of walking, and there are even special sections for people traveling in RVs and for people with physical challenges. Whether your time is limited or you’re hiking with small children, seniors or those with special needs, you can experience this most beloved place of natural beauty.

Details for each hike include:

Trail map
Total length, surface type and width
Location of benches, stairs and wheelchair-accessible facilities
Highlights of what you can expect to see

Ladona Tornabene, Ph.D., CHES, is an Associate Professor of Health Education at the University of Minnesota Duluth. She is also an avid photographer with a passion to empower others through her work.

Melanie Morgan is a Minnesota native who enjoys a sense of adventure; the love of exploration leads her to many beautiful locations. Melanie and her husband enjoy hiking and exploring whenever and wherever they happen to be.

Lisa Vogelsang, Ph.D., is a part-time professional photographer, specializing in landscapes of Minnesota’s North Shore. A former two-time Olympian, she loves the outdoors, especially the North Shore area. Lisa enjoys hiking, biking, sea kayaking, skiing and snowshoeing.