Minong Section 1: Hike from McCargoe Cove to Todd Harbor

This is Isle Royale at its most uncompromising. From McCargoe Cove, the Minong Ridge Trail climbs hard and fast onto a rocky spine that runs along the island's north shore, serving up sweeping views of Lake Superior that make you forget your legs are on fire. The trail is primitively maintained — and that's being generous. You'll pick your way over ankle-twisting rocks, weave through root-choked sections, and navigate stretches marked only by cairns where the path essentially disappears into the boreal forest. The roughly seven miles to Todd Harbor deliver a rhythm of brutal climbs and brief ridgeline respites, with the dark shimmer of Superior always pulling your eye north. When you finally drop into Todd Harbor's quiet shoreline, the remoteness hits you — you're as far from a paved road as you can get in the Midwest. This trail is built for experienced backpackers who want to earn their solitude the hard way.