Discover the North Country National Scenic Trail

A hidden gem meanders through lake and pine country.

It’s called the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT).

It’s one of 11 national scenic trails in the U.S. and the only one in Minnesota.

NCT is a footpath stretching over 4,800 miles – from central Vermont to central North Dakota.

Being open to foot traffic only, Minnesota’s trail holds unimpeded travel for hikers, berry pickers, mushroom hunters, geocachers, cross-country skiers and snowshoers.

Short day hikes or overnight hikes are possible. Maps, events and suggested hikes are available at www.northcountrytrail.org.

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

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.

Local chapters

The NCT is administered by the National Parks Service, managed by federal, state and local agencies, and built and maintained primarily by the volunteers of the North Country Trail Association (NCTA) and its partners.

Do you enjoy hiking and are you looking for a group to hike with on a regular basis?

Join these area NCTA hiking groups: Laurentian Lakes or Itasca Moraine.

The area’s segments of the North Country Trail are maintained by these two chapters.

The Laurentian Lakes Chapter maintains over 60 miles of the NCT through Becker and Clearwater counties, using only volunteers and donations..

The Itasca Moraine Chapter maintains 75 miles of the trail in Hubbard and Cass counties.

Since formation in the spring of 2002, the chapter has been engaged in extending the NCT from the west boundary of the Chippewa National Forest through the Paul Bunyan State Forest and Hubbard County’s taxforfeited forestlands toward Itasca State Park.

Rewards along the trail

Eric Haugland, a member of Itasca Moraine chapter, says, “Hiking along an undeveloped forest lake allows you to experience wildlife with little human activity, and see lady’s slippers, wild rice and other flora in a natural setting.”

Later in the summer, Haugland said hikers are rewarded by finding wild strawberries, raspberries and blueberries along the trail.

Small wild plums are a late seasonal fruit found on the trail in high, dry areas.

Mushrooms and fruits can be picked along the trail and within the state park for non-commercial and personal use.

One of Haugland’s favorite hikes is Upper Teepee Lake when a sole birch forest turns yellow.

“Beavers, otters, nesting loons and trumpeter swans are found in and on the lakes,” he said.

More resources

Matthew Davis, regional director of the NCT, said, “We’re always looking for additional volunteers to help us do routine maintenance in addition to responding to these natural disturbances.”

According to Davis, folks interested in hiking can find more information about the NCT here:

► NCTA’s interactive map for the area is at https://arcg.is/1SGf050.

► NCTA’s free hiking map downloads are at https://northcountrytrail.org/ maps/mn_map_series_020_052_ northcentral_mn.pdf (to print out) or https://www.avenzamaps.com/ maps/850596 (to download to your smartphone).

► NCTA’s Guide to Hiking the North Country Trail in Minnesota can be purchased here: https://shop. northcountrytrail.org/collections/ books/products/guide-to-hiking-thenorth-country-trail-in-minnesota.