For four decades, the Superior Hiking Trail has been more than a footpath — it’s been a living link between people, place, and purpose. 2026 marks 40 years of the Superior Hiking Trail, and the Superior Hiking Trail Association is sharing the story of the Trail and gathering Trail enthusiasts to celebrate. 

“This year we celebrate our 40th anniversary with the people who love the Trail as much as we do,” says SHTA Executive Director Lisa Luokkala, “By sharing the history of the Superior Hiking Trail, we are honoring the efforts of the early trail blazers who physically built the Trail. And, the 

Trail has grown and evolved since its inception, so we are sharing stories from the SHT community that detail what the Trail has become. In just a few decades, the Superior Hiking Trail has become a household name for Minnesotan outdoor enthusiasts and transformed lives while creating memories that will last a lifetime.” 

Here is how you can join the festivities: 

● Blazing Trail Podcast: Blazing Trail is an eight-episode podcast series produced in partnership with WTIP North Shore Community Radio. Producer Staci Drouillard explores Superior Hiking Trail stories from the past four decades, the work of Trail builders and volunteers, and the voices of hikers and adventurers whose lives have been transformed by the Trail. Listen to Blazing Trail on WTIP’s website or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. 

● From the Overlook: From the Overlook is a series of short stories that trace the Trail’s journey from a bold idea to the current 300-mile footpath. Featured on the SHTA blog and in Trail Mix, the SHTA monthly e-newsletter, these reminiscences and retrospectives detail how the Trail came to be. 

● Hike 40 Challenge: The Hike 40 Challenge, a spin on the SHTA’s annual Hike 50 Challenge, encourages community members to hike, walk, run, backpack, or snowshoe 40 miles on the SHT in 2026. This year’s suggested hikes feature historically significant sections of Trail including the 1987 opening log-cutting ceremony at Britton Peak, Halfway Hike ending at Gooseberry in the 90s, and more. Those who complete the challenge will receive a Hike 40 Challenge certificate and special edition patch featuring Birchy the Beaver.

● 40th Anniversary Merchandise: Celebrate the 40th Anniversary in style with limited edition 40th shirts and sweatshirts in multiple shapes, sizes, and colors. 40th Anniversary apparel, guidebooks, maps, swag, gear, and more are available in the SHTA Trail Store. The physical SHTA storefront in downtown Two Harbors will be open in 2026 during seasonal hours, Thursdays and Fridays from 10 AM to 5 PM between May 21 and October 16. All products are available in the online Trail Store year round with the option for shipping or curbside pick up. 

● Superior Hiking Trail’s Ultimate Birthday Celebration: One Day. One Trail. One Community. The Superior Hiking Trail’s Ultimate Birthday Celebration is happening on National Trail Day, Saturday, June 6th where we will fill the Trail with joy from end to end. We are inviting anyone who enjoys getting outside on the SHT to select a section of the Trail to hike, run, or saunter. Then afterward, join one of our four regional 40th birthday parties at designated establishments along the Trail corridor. Participants should register online for their preferred section of Trail. 

The journey began in 1986 when early trail blazers came together to form the Superior Hiking Trail Association with a vision for a footpath traversing the North Shore’s rocky ridgeline. The history of the Trail is rooted in the dedication of volunteers, members, business owners, communities along the Trail’s corridor, land managers, private landowners, and local, state, and federal agencies. These collaborative partnerships paved the way for the current 300-mile gem that stretches from the Minnesota–Wisconsin border south of Duluth to the 270 degree Overlook near the Canadian border. 

What started as an effort to connect state parks and public lands for overnight hikers has grown into a beloved community resource enjoyed by generations of Trail users seeking to connect with nature. And the story continues. 

Together, we’re blazing new paths toward a more connected future. Join us in celebrating Blazing Trail – 40 Years of Connecting Community and Nature. Visit superiorhiking.org/40th-anniversary to learn more. 

Press Contact: Mackenzie Foley, SHTA Development and Communication Director, [email protected] or (218) 834-2700 ext. 204. 

About the Superior Hiking Trail Association (SHTA): The SHTA is the Minnesota-based nonprofit organization that builds, maintains, renews, and promotes the Superior Hiking Trail, or SHT, Minnesota’s premier hiking trail. The SHT runs along the North Shore for more than 300 miles from the Wisconsin-Minnesota border to the Canadian border and is a resource for everyone to discover, learn, and connect with nature and themselves. The SHTA is honored to serve as stewards and promoters of this treasure. For more information, visit: superiorhiking.org.