If you’re looking for a sublime Minnesota winter hike, complete with frozen waterfalls and snow-frosted rock formations, make your way to Kadunce River State Wayside. The wayside is located along State Highway 61, east of Grand Marais.
Park at the wayside, where the Kadunce River flows under Highway 61 and commingles with the waters of Lake Superior.
Sarah Mulford/AllTrails
Before you head up the gorge, cross the highway and check out the mouth of the river. Often the lake creates stunning ice formations along the shoreline that are, themselves, worth the trip to see.
BJR Ritz/Google
Although you’re likely to find an established winter trail in the gorge, you will be walking on layers of ice and snow. You should, therefore, use caution and consider wearing snowshoes or traction devices and using trekking poles on your hike up the gorge.
Michelle Rollins/AllTrails
At first, the river and its small valley will be wider, and you’ll enjoy a quiet hike in the north woods.
Brian Foley/Google
But the valley will grow narrower, and the walls of the gorge will start to rise above you on both sides.
Brian Foley/Google
Follow the trail, stick to the sides of the gorge, and avoid any open water you may encounter.
Seth Johnson/Google
As you go, you’ll encounter several small waterfalls, as well as some larger cascades.
Robert Waltz/Google You will have to clamber over some of these on your way to the trail at the top. But with appropriate footwear and trekking poles, you shouldn’t have too much trouble.
If the frozen waterfalls weren’t enough of a reward, when you reach the top of the gorge, you’ll be treated to stunning views back down the river to Lake Superior.
Sarah Mulford/AllTrails
The canyon portion of the hike is relatively short, coming in at around a mile. To return to the parking area, you can go back the way you came, or you can follow the spur trail down along the Kadunce River that connects the Superior Hiking Trail with the wayside. After your hike, treat yourself to some of the state’s best fudge at Gunflint Mercantile in nearby Grand Marais.
Sarah Mulford/AllTrails
BJR Ritz/Google
Michelle Rollins/AllTrails
Brian Foley/Google
Seth Johnson/Google
Robert Waltz/Google
You will have to clamber over some of these on your way to the trail at the top. But with appropriate footwear and trekking poles, you shouldn’t have too much trouble.
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Address: Kadunce River State Wayside, MN-61, Grand Marais, MN 55604, USA
