Gitchi-Gami State Bike Trail (GGST) – Tofte

When completed, the Gitchi-Gami State Trail (GGST) will be an 88-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 29 miles, are complete. A new section between Silver Bay and the West Road in Beaver Bay, just east of the Beaver Bay trailhead, was completed in summer 2012 and was officially opened in June 2013.* Another short segment connecting the tunnel under Hwy 34 with the Lutsen Ski Hill Road was completed this fall.** Keep up with trail progress on this website.

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 in the planning, development, construction, maintenance, and promotion of the trail, and to organize trail activities, including the Annual Ride. 

Temperance River Section

This trail segment is 3 miles long and connects the towns of Schroeder and Tofte. Parking is available at the MnDOT wayside rest in Schroeder and at the Tofte Town Park/Public Access on Lake Superior. This segment is on the inland side of Highway 61 and travels through the interior of Temperance River State Park, crossing the Temperance River gorge. This trail segment also offers a scenic view of Carlton Peak, elevation 1526 feet (Lake Superior’s elevation is approximately 600 feet above sea level). This trail segment is not connected to the next segment, from Tofte to County Road 34, but riders can cross the highway at the northeast end of the trail and ride through the town of Tofte on Tofte Park Road and Highway 61 to the next segment. As an alternative to riding on Highway 61, which has narrow shoulders through Tofte, bikers can walk their bikes along the lakeside path west of Bluefin Bay Resort.

Tofte to Lutsen Ski Hill

This 7.3-mile trail segment starts at the northeast end of the town of Tofte. At County Road 34, where the trail used to dead-end, a tunnel underpass beneath Highway 61 connects to a new trail segment that ends at County Road 4 (Lutsen Ski Hill Road). At the Tofte end of this segment, there is no designated public parking available. Bikers are advised to speak with business owners before parking and leaving vehicles on private property. At the Ski Hill Road end, there is now a designated GGST parking area. Food, beverages and restroom facilities are available in Tofte, and also in the Lutsen Mountains resort facilities at the top of the Ski Hill Road.

 Map Note

Check out the map link below. When you arrive at the page, roll over the boxed areas for a blow up and detail of the information.

Gitchi-Gami Bike Trail Map
 
Gitchi-Gami State Trail Home Page
 
Progress Report

All Content the property of Gitchi-Gami State Trail.

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