5 Scenic Hiking Trails to Explore This Fall at Ludlow’s

As the trees transform into a sea of reds, yellows, and oranges, fall is one of our favorite times to explore the beautiful hiking trails around Ludlow’s. The leaves in the Lake Vermilion area begin to change in mid-September, reaching their peak color in early October, creating a truly breathtaking landscape.

So whether you’re a seasoned hiker or just looking to enjoy a leisurely walk, these five scenic trails offer something for everyone.

Grab your hiking boots and join us for an autumn adventure you won’t forget!

1. Kawishiwi Falls

Perfect for all ages and hiking levels, Kawishiwi Falls is a short, easy 1.5-mile loop that offers stunning views of the cascading 70-foot drop. The trail winds through a wooded path with several vantage points of the beautiful falls throughout. Kawishiwi means “river full of beaver or muskrat houses” in Ojibwe, and Native Americans and explorers would portage around the falls.

So, be sure to keep an eye out for possible wildlife sightings! If you’re looking for a longer hike, you can extend your trek to include the portage trail between Garden and Fall Lakes. 

2. Vermilion Gorge Trail

You’ll want to take this 1.5-mile out-and-back hike at a leisurely pace to really soak in the beauty and the incredible rich history of this particular trail. Beginning at Crane Lake, you’ll make your way across graveled trails, boardwalks over wet areas, and a more rugged landscape with sheer granite cliffs and rock outcrops during the last portion of the trail.

You’ll also notice interpretive signs along the route describing the logging era of the early 1900s, the Lake Vermilion Gold Rush in the 1920s, and two centuries of fur trade along the Voyageurs Highway.

Plan for about three hours to complete the hike in and out with frequent pauses to capture those stunning views!

3. Bear Head Lake State Park

This beautiful park is set in the Northwoods just south of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area, offering similar beauty and terrain that draws so many to the Boundary Waters each year.

The park connects with 14 miles of the Taconite State Trails, where you’ll immerse yourself in red and white pine, spruce, paper birch, and fir on the highlands and tamarack, black spruce, and white cedar on the lowlands.

Watch for wildlife; you might spot:

• Wolves
• Black bears
• Moose
• Deer
• Red squirrels
• Chipmunks

For the birdwatchers, eagles, red-breasted nuthatches, pine grosbeaks, red crossbills, and boreal chickadees call this area home.

4. Vermilion Falls Trail

Another gorgeous waterfall trail you won’t want to miss, Vermilion Falls is a powerful surge of water falling through a 10-foot wide opening in the granite.

An easy ¼ mile round trip with observation decks and lookouts of the falls, this trail is great for every hiker, especially because you’ll have access to restrooms and three picnic areas, allowing you to make an entire afternoon out of the hike!

On the trail, be sure to also spend a moment on the bridge looking upriver and in the bay to the left, where you’ll see wild rice beds harvested by both people and wildlife alike! The rice shoots begin to emerge in mid-July, and the seed heads develop in early August.

5. Astrid Trail

This trail offers seven miles of hiking that connect four small lakes: Jeanette, Astrid, Pauline, and Nigh Lakes. Astrid Trail follows gentle terrain but be ready to tackle a few steep, rocky sections. On the trail, you’ll cross the black spruce bog with unique-looking pitcher plants.

Between Nigh and Astrid Lakes, you’ll also encounter huge boulders formed by glaciers as they receded 10,000 years ago, making for a truly memorable hike.

Bonus Hike!

You can enjoy a beautiful hike right on the Island!

Ludlow’s Hiking Trail is a one-mile hike on our north shore sprinkled with swings overlooking Lake Vermilion, making for a relaxing afternoon in nature.