Hiking

While you're pouring over the suggested hikes, remember that endurance and experience differs from person to person, and what might be a good 3 day hike for one person is another's day hike or week long journey. For another points of view, take a look at the other trip reports others have posted in the Internet Resources section. Mileages are estimated from the USGS 1987 Map, "Isle Royale National Park", 48088-A5-PF-062. Actual distances vary due to trail relocation, particularly on the Minong Ridge and Rock Harbor trails.
For a reference map of the trails, consult the National Park Service Map. If you're looking for a rewarding guided hike, there is a Ranger led hike departing from Rock Harbor every day. Call the Park Headquarters ahead of time, or look for the schedule posted in the Rock Harbor Ranger Station when you get there.

Suggested Hikes

4 to 6 days	The Greenstone Ridge: 40 Miles (One Way) Synopsis: A well travelled thoroughfare with unremarkable campsites. What you'll remember five years later: Views from Mount Franklin and Lookout Louise, camping at South Desor. What you'll forget five years later: Thickets of thimbleberries on the northeast end, exposed ridges in the middle, and monotonous, thick Maple overgrowth which muffles and obscures all sights and sounds at the southwest end.
	Feldtman Lake Loop : 30 Miles Synopsis: The best long hike for viewing wildlife. What you'll remember five years later: Camping at Siskiwit Bay, the view from Coyote Ridge, sunsets at Rainbow Cove. What you'll forget five years later: Poorly maintained trail between Feldtman Lake and Windigo, stable flies and mosquitos near Siskiwit, climbing Coyote Ridge on the long hike between Feldtman Lake and Siskiwit Bay.
	The Minong Ridge: 30 Miles (One Way) Synopsis: The premiere hike in the park. What you'll remember five years later: Bogs, cliffs, rushing streams, views of nearby Ontario, loon choruses and timber wolf serenades, bald eagles, and quiet campsites. What you'll forget five years later: The pain in your knee after completing the Windigo - North Desor leg, losing the trail over the beaver dam for the third time in a day, how much you paid for fresh milk at the Windigo camp store.

2 to 3 days

Rock Harbor: 13 Miles (One Way)
Synopsis: A well travelled thoroughfare that improves dramatically as you move southwest.
What you'll remember five years later: Sunrise along Rock Harbor, moose swimming up to the dock at Moskey Basin, yodeling loons serenading your suppers.
What you'll forget five years later: Daisy Farm, hiking ten miles tilted thirty degrees to one side, retracing your steps again and again after following yet another volunteer trail.

Indian Portage Trail: 11 Miles (One Way)
Synopsis: A change of pace good for connecting more lengthy trips on other trails.
What you'll remember five years later: Views on ridgecrests, camping at Lake Ritchie, listening to the waves at Chippewa Harbor, echoes of wolf howls at McCargoe Cove.
What you'll forget five years later: Boaters at McCargoe Cove running their generators all night, clouds of black flies and mosquitos at Chickenbone Lake, climbing yet another ridge on a long day's journey.

Overnight

Lane Cove: 5 Miles (One Way)
Synopsis: An overnighter out of Rock Harbor off the beaten path best left for fall excursions.
What you'll remember five years later: Cool breezes from Lake Superior on a hot day, views from Mount Franklin, the serenity of being completely alone at an out of the way campsite.
What you'll forget five years later: Brackish drinking water, the constant drone of gnats and flies, and the climb back up Mount Franklin.

Huginnin Cove Loop: 5 Miles
Synopsis: An easy overnight hike out of Windigo.
What you'll remember five years later: Camping at Huginnin Cove, views of The Sleeping Giant, watching the sunset while huddled in your sleeping bag.
What you'll forget five years later: Returning to the noise of Washington Harbor, the price of camera film at the Windigo camp store, waiting in the cold rain for an hour until someone unlocks the car cage at Grand Portage.

Day Hikes	Scoville Point: 4 Miles Synopsis: An easy leg stretch on a partially paved path leading from Rock Harbor. What you'll remember five years later: Sunbathing on the fractured granite at Scoville Point, interpretive displays on early copper mining. What you'll forget five years later: The constant whine of motorboat engines on Rock Harbor.
	Mount Franklin: 11 Miles Synopsis: A fairly strenuous day hike from Rock Harbor with great views. You'll sweat quite a bit, so carry plenty of extra water. What you'll remember five years later: Panoramic views of the Island's lakes and coves, munching on thimbleberries, catching a cool breeze as you picnic at the summit. What you'll forget five years later: Sweating under a merciless sun baking the exposed rock of the southern slopes of the Greenstone Ridge.
	Suzy's Cave: 4 Miles Synopsis: A quiet walk from Rock Harbor largely ignored by the midsummer throngs at Rock Harbor leading past geological features carved by lakes long ago passed. What you'll remember five years later: The smell of wet spruce needles, watching herring gulls fish, waiting for that bull moose to get off the path so you can get back to the lodge in time for supper. What you'll forget five years later: Stubbing your toe for the 22nd time in an hour on yet another lurking root.
	Ojibway Tower: 5 Miles Synopsis: A shorter alternative to the Mount Franklin dayhike leading from the Daisy Farm campground, with the same great views. You'll sweat quite a bit, so carry plenty of extra water. What you'll remember five years later: Panoramic views of the Island's lakes and coves from the watchtower site, brightly colored toadstools hiding under blueberry leaves at the edge of a nearby bog, watching beavers at work as the trail passes by a pond. What you'll forget five years later: Sweating under a merciless sun baking the exposed rock of the southern slopes of the Greenstone Ridge.