Troll's Way
- 5.6 mi
- loop
- 373 ft
- climb
- 1,641 ft
- high point
- Loop
- route
- Aug–Sep
- best months
Is Troll's Way open right now?
Closure in the area
There's a closure order in Superior National Forest. It doesn't name Troll's Way, 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.
Troll's Way is a 5.6-mile loop hike in northern Minnesota, on the Kawishiwi Ranger District of Superior National Forest and within Burntside State Forest. The State Department of Natural Resources manages the land, and the trail is rated moderate with a total elevation gain of 373 feet. The route is a natural-surface loop that starts at about 1,491 feet and reaches a high point of 1,641 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 1.7 miles in, with a 15% grade. Bikes and horses are not allowed, and the trail is not accessible. Summer is the most comfortable time to go. Typical averages from the nearby Ely weather station show July highs around 79°F with lows near 53°F, while January highs average about 15°F. Several cross-country ski routes sit right next to the trail, including North Star Run and Sentinels, each about 0.1 mile away. The North Arm Trail is about 0.2 mile off, and Fenske Lake Campground is about 3.4 miles away.
Local outfitters
Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.
- North Star RunCross-country skiing0.1 mi
- SentinelsCross-country skiing0.1 mi
- North ArmCross-country skiing0.2 mi
- NORTH ARM TRAILHiking0.2 mi
- Slim Lake LoopCross-country skiing0.2 mi
Fenske Lake CampgroundPier fishingPhoto: Recreation.gov (RIDB) / public domain3.4 mi- Circle RouteCanoeing4.6 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 · ~9 min drivePhoto: Abnormally Weird, CC BY 2.0 (via Flickr)
Bass LakeHiking · ~10 min drivePhoto: USDAgov, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
Fenske CampgroundHiking · ~6 min drivePhoto: Tony Webster, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)- NORTH ARM TRAILHiking · Next door
- SLIM LAKE LOOPHiking · Next door
Everett-FenskiHiking · ~6 min drivePhoto: Joe Passe, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)- OLE'S LOOPHiking · ~3 min drive
- Hug a TreeHiking · Next door
BASS LAKE TRAILHiking · ~10 min drivePhoto: USDAgov, Public Domain Mark (via Flickr)
Best time to visit Troll's Way
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, 7.1 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