Isle Royale Grand Tour

This route begins and ends at the Windigo Trailhead on the western end of the island after traversing the island in a figure-eight loop. Start at the Windigo Trailhead on the western end of the island. Turn south onto the Feldtmann Lake Trail and hike to Feldtmann Lake at approximately 8.5 miles. Continue east on the Feldtmann Ridge Trail, climbing 300 vertical feet onto the ridge, and hike towards the Siskiwit Bay Campground. Upon reaching the Siskiwit Bay Campground around 18.3 miles, turn left to head north onto the Island Mine Trail. Climb towards the Greenstone Ridge Trail, reaching the intersection around 23.4 miles. Turn right (east) onto the Greenstone Ridge Trail. Follow the island's spine east, passing Mount Desor at 25.7 miles, Ishpeming Point at 31.3 miles, Mount Siskiwit at 39.1 miles, and reaching the western end of Chickenbone lake around 42.0 miles. Continue to the east along Greenstone Ridge passing Mount Ojibway at 49.1 miles, Mount Franklin at 51.4 miles and reaching the intersection with the Mount Franklin Trail around 51.7 miles. Upon reaching this intersection, turn right to head south towards the Tobin Harbor Trail. Turn left onto the Tobin Harbor Trail around 53.2 miles. Follow the trail into Rock Harbor. At 56.2 miles, turn left towards the Stoll Trail. Turn left to begin a clockwise loop along the Stoll Trail. At 57.9 miles, turn left to walk towards the tip of the peninsula at Scoville Point. Return back to the Stoll Trail and turn left, continuing on the clockwise loop. Complete the Stoll Trail loop then turn right at 60.8 miles to head towards Rock Harbor again. Upon reaching the Rock Harbor Visitor Center at 60.9 miles, turn left onto the Rock Harbor Trail. Follow the Rock Harbor Trail passing Three Mile Campground at 63.5 miles, Daisy Farm Campground at 67.6 miles, and turning left around 67.8 miles to stay on the Rock Harbor Trail. Pass by Moskey Basin at 71.2 miles, and continue until reaching the junction with the Indian Portage Trail at 73.0 miles. Turn right onto the Indian Portage Trail to navigate along the north shore of Lake Richie. Begin climbing and reach the intersection with Greenstone Ridge around 76.4 miles. Cross over the ridge and pass by West Chickenbone Campground. Upon reaching McCargoe Cove at 79.2 miles, turn left to head west on the Minong Ridge Trail. Pass Pine Mountain at 80.2 miles and reach Todd Harbor Campground around 85.4 miles. Continue along the ridge reaching Little Todd around 91.3 miles. Crux: The 5.7-mile segment from Little Todd Harbor to North Lake Desor is the most demanding stretch of the traverse. Despite the shorter distance, the route gains the ridge through several steep, sustained ascents with hands-on scrambling over exposed rock — don't underestimate it. Trekking poles are strongly recommended. From North Lake Desor, continue west until reaching the intersection at 104.4 miles. Turn right onto East Huginnin Cove Trail. Follow the loop around, and join up with the Feldtmann Lake Trail around 110.5 miles. Cross over Washington Creek and head back into Windigo to return to the trailhead near the visitor center.