National scenic trail runs through county

The North Country Trail (NCT) wanders 4,600 miles through America’s rugged northern Heartland.

From New York to North Dakota, hikers can find adventure. Traversing through seven states, the NCT is the longest national scenic trail in the U.S. It’s the only one in Minnesota.

NCT enters Minnesota near Jay Cooke State Park and winds toward the Chippewa National Forest, Hubbard County, the Paul Bunyan State Forest and the scenic Itasca Moraine landscape before heading further south through the Maplewood State Park and on to the North Dakota border.

Upon reaching Itasca State Park, NCT is in the neighborhood of the Mississippi headwaters before turning south and following the Laurentian Divide.

The trail path is natural, with roots and snags removed and overhanging limbs trimmed for unimpeded hiking.

With the trail open to foot traffic only, hikers, berry pickers, hunters, birdwatchers, geocachers, snowshoers and Hok skiers have miles of trails to explore.

Anyone walking this trail is in for a treat as it meanders through forested hills and valleys interspersed with rivers, lakes, and numerous wetlands.

Short day hikes or overnight hikes are possible.

The Laurentian Lakes Chapter is responsible for maintaining over 72 miles of the NCT – from the middle of Itasca State park west to Clearwater County Hwy. 39 Trailhead, south through the Tamarac Wildlife Refuge, Hubbel Pond, crossing Hwy 34, through private land and then road walks to Frazee. Maps, events and suggested hikes are available at northcountrytrail.org/llc.

The Itasca Moraine Chapter, based in the Park Rapids-Walker-Hackensack area, is responsible for a 107-mile section. The chapter also hosts year-around hikes. For more information, visit northcountrytrail.org/itm.

At most locations, there is a kiosk or signboard with information about the trail. Hiking distances to the nearest kiosk are also provided.

A “Guide to Hiking the North Country Trail in Minnesota” guidebook is available in bookstores in Park Rapids, Itasca State Park, Tamarac National Wildlife Refuge and online.