The trail runs from the Appalachian Trail in the Green Mountains of Vermont, through the Adirondacks in New York, past the old portage trail at Fort Stanwix (above), through the Allegheny Forest in Pennsylvania, south into Ohio near Fort Miamis, north through Michigan, west in the upper peninsula past Pictured Rocks, down to the upper St Croix River in Wisconsin, through Minnesota from near Grand Portage to Knife River in North Dakota.

President Biden elevated the trail to an official park unit last November, and the trail is not yet continuous. But having explored various sections at different times in all 8 states across 4 regions, it is undeniably scenic, especially along Lake Superior, in the Adirondacks and other lesser known areas. There are many quirky old rural towns along the way, atmospheric local restaurants and adventures to be found, along with thousands of miles of hiking, of course.