Ozark Trail | 230 miles
The Ozark Trail offers an opportunity to disappear into the woods without having to travel far from St. Louis. The 230-mile thru-trail begins at Onondaga Cave State Park in Leasburg, about 84 miles from St. Louis, and ends at the Eleven Point terminus near the Arkansas border. It’s a scenic route that passes through some of the state’s most rugged and beautiful terrain, including the St. Francois Mountains, Current River country, rocky glades, forests, and spring-fed streams. The larger Ozark Trail system stretches over 430 miles across 14 sections, while the thru-trail covers only eight. Some of the sections are challenging, with steep climbs and rocky footing, while others offer a more leisurely approach to hiking. The great thing is that you don’t have to commit to hiking the entire trail. You can pick a section and hike it over the weekend or on a longer week-long adventure. Depending on which sections you plan to hike, you’ll need to be prepared to carry what you need, but it’ll give you a real taste of traveling by foot for days at a time.
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Best for hikers who want to test out long-distance hiking close to home.
Ice Age Trail | 1,000 miles
Wisconsin’s Ice Age Trail is one of 11 National Scenic Trails in the U.S. This 1,000-mile journey follows the edge of the last continental glacier, winding through forests, prairies, wetlands, farmland, and small towns. With a relatively easy elevation profile, the Ice Age Trail is an inviting alternative compared to the more mountainous long-distance trails. Hikers should not mistake that for easy walking, as the route includes rocky terrain, rolling hills, mud, and remote stretches. Nearly 500 miles of the trail rely on connecting roads rather than traditional off-road hiking. This can be an advantage for new thru-hikers, as you’ll have accessible opportunities to resupply, eat, and rest. A complete thru-hike takes several weeks to a few months, depending on your pace and the route conditions.
Best for hikers interested in geology and drawn to a long-distance adventure that feels distinctly Midwest.
Superior Hiking Trail | 300 miles
For an unforgettable long-distance hike that won’t take half a year to complete, Minnesota’s Superior Hiking Trail offers a 300-mile route that snakes along the ridgeline overlooking Lake Superior. The train begins in Duluth and heads north toward the Canadian border, passing through boreal forest, rocky ridges, waterfalls, river valleys, and dramatic shoreline. It’s a rugged trail with frequent climbs and descents that gives it a wild feel. The trail also passes close to several towns, making resupply and shorter hikes possible.
Best for hikers looking for a two- to three-week adventure with big scenery and wilderness.
North Country Trail 5,000 miles
As the country’s longest National Scenic Trail, the North Country Trail winds its way through eight states, from North Dakota to Vermont. For Midwestern hikers, the most compelling sections pass through Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Minnesota, offering an extraordinary tour of the Great Lakes region. The trail doesn’t attract the established thru-hiking culture of the Appalachian or the Pacific Crest Trail, so it feels like more of an adventure. The sections vary in difficulty and wind through forests, wetlands, farmland, and small towns, with some of the best scenery along Lake Superior. Hikers can tackle individual sections or attempt a much longer journey. For St. Louisans, it’s a great way to spend a week or longer moving slowly through a region defined by its lakes, forests, and agriculture.
Best for adventurous hikers who want a less-traveled alternative to the country’s more famous thru-hikes.
