Minnesota hikers and nature enthusiasts now have an up-to-date comprehensive guide to the 860 miles of North Country National Scenic Trail that cross the state from the Red River Valley to Lake Superior.

The Guide to Hiking the North Country Trail in Minnesota: Across Prairies, the North Woods, and the Wilderness, edited by Linda D. Johnson and the late Susan Carol Hauser, has been published by the nonprofit North Country Trail Association. It features 42 new color trail maps identifying trail terrain and trailheads in a new easy-to-follow format with mile-by-mile descriptions, trail highlights and suggestions. Details on new trail segments, new loop trails, and new and enhanced backcountry campsites have been included. The practical information is supplemented with thoughtful historical and cultural context for the hikes. Over 60 volunteers who helped to build and maintain the trail authored the book.

The book is published by the North Country Trail Association and will soon be available in local bookstores and outfitters and is currently available online (www.itascabooks.com) for $17.95. Learn more about the North Country National Scenic Trail in Minnesota online at https://northcountrytrail.org/trail/minnesota/.