Plan with
Confidence
The trail is open year-round but may be difficult to navigate during the snowy months. There are no fees or permits required to park at the dirt lot at the end of North 123rd Avenue West.
Path Type
Point to Point
This is a spur trail (white blaze) of the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) that runs parallel to the main (blue blaze) Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) between the William Munger State Trail and a junction near the Ely's Peak Overlook. It is typically used as part of a loop that allows access to the Duluth Winnipeg & Pacific Tunnel and Ely's Peak.
From a dirt parking lot at the end of North 123rd Avenue West, go northeast to connect with the paved William Munger State Trail. Follow this path east for 0.3 miles to where there are two singletrack branches of the SHT: the main branch (blue blazes) goes up and the Ely's Peak Loop Trail (white blazes) goes to the left. Follow the white blazed trail (not the main trail!) for 0.25 miles to the western portal of the DWP Tunnel.
Continue uphill past the tunnel for 0.9 miles to a junction with the main Superior Hiking Trail (SHT). Turn right (south) here to hike to the Ely's Peak Spur Trail that will take you to the top of Ely's Peak. Complete the loop by continuing downhill on the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) to the William Munger Trail.
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