Minnesota · Hiking

Mesabi Trail

Mesabi TrailPhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)
113 mi
one way
2,847 ft
climb
1,644 ft
high point
Point to point
route
May, Jul–Sep
best months

The Mesabi Trail is a point-to-point hike in northern Minnesota, running about 113 miles with a total elevation gain of 2,847 feet. It starts at nearly the same elevation it ends, about 1,300 feet, and rises to roughly 1,644 feet at its high point. The route is a steady climb, and its steepest stretch comes around mile 65.6, where the grade reaches about 7%. The trail sits right outside the town of Bovey, just 0.2 miles away, which makes it easy to reach from town. Bikes and horses are not allowed on the trail, so plan for a foot-only journey. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station run to highs around 80°F in July with lows near 55°F. Winters are severe, with January highs in the teens and lows below zero. Several cross-country ski routes lie within a mile and a half of the trail, including Swamp Loop, Horseshoe and Triple Twister. For an overnight base, Pokegama Dam Campground is about 8 miles away.

  • Best time to go · May, Jul–Sep

    Best time to visit Mesabi Trail

    Best months: May and July–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.

    1. Jan

      19° / -1°

      11 wet

    2. Feb

      26° / 2°

      9 wet

    3. Mar

      39° / 15°

      9 wet

    4. Apr

      53° / 28°

      10 wet

    5. May

      66° / 40°

      12 wet

    6. Jun

      75° / 51°

      13 wet

    7. Jul

      80° / 55°

      12 wet

    8. Aug

      78° / 53°

      11 wet

    9. Sep

      68° / 45°

      11 wet

    10. Oct

      53° / 33°

      11 wet

    11. Nov

      36° / 20°

      11 wet

    12. Dec

      23° / 6°

      11 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Grand Rpds Forest Lab, MN, 5 mi away at 1,310 ft. This station doesn't record snowfall. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.