Hug a Tree
- 7.4 mi
- loop
- 220 ft
- climb
- 1,670 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- Aug–Sep
- best months
Is Hug a Tree open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Superior National Forest. It doesn't name Hug a Tree, so check the source for the area it covers.
Post Wildfire Closures, Effective October 1, 2026
Agency closure covering Superior National Forest · Order 09-09-00-26-11 · USFS · Superior National Forest
Forest Road Improvement Projects
Agency alert covering Superior National Forest · USFS · Superior National Forest
As of · Source: USFS · Superior National Forest. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.
Hug a Tree is a 7.4-mile loop hike in the Kawishiwi Ranger District of Superior National Forest in northeastern Minnesota, managed by the Forest Service. The trail rises from about 1,580 feet to a high point of 1,670 feet, with the steepest stretch at about 1.3 miles in, where the grade reaches 9 percent. The climb totals 220 feet of elevation gain, and the route is rated hard. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Ely show July highs around 79°F with lows near 53°F, while winter highs stay in the teens and 20s. The trail sits among a cluster of cross-country ski routes and hiking paths. Troll's Way is just 0.1 mile away, and Coxey Pond is 0.3 mile off. Fenske Lake Campground, about 3.8 miles away, offers pier fishing, and the Circle Route, roughly 5 miles out, is a canoeing option.
Local outfitters
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
- Troll's WayCross-country skiing0.1 mi
- Thor's TrailCross-country skiing0.3 mi
- Coxey PondHiking0.3 mi
- North Star RunCross-country skiing0.5 mi
- Druid Pines TrailCross-country skiing0.5 mi
Fenske Lake CampgroundPier fishingPhoto: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain3.8 mi- Circle RouteCanoeing5.1 mi
- Science BoulderRock climbing5.4 mi
Source: Roamze catalog (indexable pages within 10 miles, PostGIS distance)
NORTH JUNCTION-SOUTH LOOPHiking · ~5 min drivePhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
Dry LakeHiking · ~10 min drivePhoto: Abnormally Weird, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)- Coxey PondHiking · Next door
Fenske CampgroundHiking · ~6 min drivePhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)- Troll's WayHiking · Next door
- SLIM LAKE LOOPHiking · ~1 min drive
Everett-FenskiHiking · ~7 min drivePhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)- NORTH ARM TRAILHiking · ~1 min drive
- Northwest PassageHiking · ~4 min drive
BASS LAKE TRAILHiking · ~10 min drivePhoto: USDAgov, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
Best time to visit Hug a Tree
Best months: August–September. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.
Jan
15° / -7°
11 wet
Feb
23° / -5°
9 wet
Mar
36° / 10°
9 wet
Apr
51° / 25°
10 wet
May
65° / 38°
13 wet
Jun
75° / 49°
14 wet
Jul
79° / 53°
13 wet
Aug
78° / 52°
12 wet
Sep
68° / 44°
12 wet
Oct
52° / 32°
14 wet
Nov
34° / 19°
11 wet
Dec
21° / 3°
11 wet
Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Ely, MN, 7.6 mi away at 1,382 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.
Closures we've recorded since August 2026
Forest-wide Fire Restrictions
Superior National Forest · Order dated July 12, 2026; seen Aug 23, 2026 → lifted Aug 25, 2026 · Forest Service