Feldtmann Loop Section 4 / Greenstone Ridge: Hike from Island Mine to Windigo

This is the homestretch of the Feldtmann Loop, and it earns every step. You'll pick up an old mining road — a relic from Isle Royale's copper boom days — that cuts along the western spine of the Greenstone Ridge before dropping you down into Windigo. The footing is honest backcountry: roots and rocks that demand your attention, especially on tired legs if you've been out for days. The ridge walking serves up sprawling views of Lake Superior's northern shore and the dense boreal forest below, with occasional glimpses of Canada on clear days. As you descend toward Windigo, the trail softens through mixed hardwood forest that lights up in September. The final stretch into the Windigo harbor feels earned in a way that few trail endings do. This one belongs to backpackers finishing a multi-day loop who want that satisfying full-circle moment.