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Hike to Ely's Peak

Duluth, Minnesota

4.6/5
based on 5 reviews

Details

Distance

1.73 miles

Elevation Gain

430 ft

Route Type

Out-and-Back

Description

Added by Stephanie Windschill

A rewarding hike within the city limits that offers spectacular views!

Ely's Peak is located near the neighborhood of Gary-New Duluth. It is located right off of Becks Road. To get there from Grand Avenue you'll turn onto Becks Road. The small parking lot will be located about 2 miles north and will be on your right. If you are coming from Interstate I35, you'll take Midway Road exit and follow it south for 2 miles. The parking lot will be on your left.

Once you have parked, you'll follow a wooden path into the woods that will lead up to the old railroad path. Take this path right. Continue until you reach the old DWP tunnel. This is the old Duluth, Winnipeg, Pacific Railroad line. The old railway was abandoned in the 80's. Many people today enjoy biking, hiking, snow shoeing, and rock climbing around this area. If you interested in climbing you will see many rock climbing routes around the tunnel. 

You'll see many trails branching off before the tunnel. You can go through the tunnel and find trails on the other side as well. Feel free to explore your way to the top. Otherwise follow the main trail to the right. It's not the smaller one that goes straight up but the bigger one that wraps around. This is the Superior Hiking Trail. You'll follow this trail and the blue markings around the peak. It will eventually fork off and there should be little signs for it, but you'll keep left. Follow the blue markings all the way to the top!  Enjoy the views. Make sure to come back in the Fall!

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Features

Rock Climbing
Photography
Hiking
Easy Parking
Forest
Scenic
Wildflowers

Hike to Ely's Peak Reviews

Great view once you navigate your way up! :) We are fairly avid hikers, and are pretty good at following signs, but it was confusing to get there. We used google maps on our phones A LOT during this hike, and we normally do not. We parked in the short line parking area (can find in google maps), and followed the main trail up to the old train tunnel. The tunnel is best to see. From there, we ascended the peak on the west side of the tunnel (straight across from the trail we came up on). There were two trails you could take at that point. One was a pretty steep incline. We didn’t take that one. We followed the loop trail a ways in and then there was another trail that went to the right (east) and we took that one up. It did get a little rocky and steep at a few points. Once we got to the top, we saw the blue markings for the SHT, so felt reassured! The view was great, just know you will not see Lake Superior/canal park. You will overlook the city and the St.Louis River. Still an awesome view!

We have a cabin on Burntside Lake, and love every bit of Ely. This was an easy/moderate hike and is wonderful at sunset. Highly recommend if you're in Ely!

Beautiful walk in the wood ending in a great up hill hike rewarded with an awesome view. Wear spikes in the winter

Thanks for providing a great adventure!! This was a perfect hike for my 9 year old daughter and I to get outdoors and do a fun activity together.

Love this hike. I prefer parking at the Munger trail head but that's probably because I got really lost when I parked at the other lot. The views are great and some of the trail sections can be pretty fun.

Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly!

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