Avoid These Overrated Lake Superior Trails On Your Next Midwest Hiking Trip

We humans tend to move as a pack: we hear about a spectacular spot, and off we flock. But we all know that sometimes, places don't quite live up to the hype. Lake Superior, the largest of the Great Lakes, isn't immune to this phenomenon. Most of Superior's 900-plus miles of shoreline and the surrounding parks and recreation areas are gloriously scenic and crowd-free. However, there are some "must-do" hikes that some would argue really shouldn't be on your Lake Superior bucket list. 

One person arguing this is Maddy of the blog Hello Stranger, who's lived and worked around Lake Superior for many years. Maddy put three top Lake Superior hikes on her "overrated" list, so we decided to do some digging to unearth if they really are trails to skip and where you might want to explore instead. The first hike on our list is Munising Falls on Superior's south shore.

Located in the stunning Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Munising Falls is a short 800-foot walk along a paved path. The trail begins next to one of the visitor centers for Pictured Rocks, meaning this place sees some traffic. While many hikers on AllTrails say the falls are beautiful, a lot also mention the crowds. Heading to TripAdvisor, you'll be met with more of the same: pretty but packed. Visitor TJDIV writes, "You'll be met with crowds any day of the week in summer." While this short hike might be one to skip, the Pictured Rocks area contains several stunning hikes that show off the beauty of the Great Lakes. So, if you don't fancy your hike with a side of crowds, skip Munising, but make sure to hit Pictured Rocks.

Over on the north shore, you can find the popular attraction of Devil's Kettle, a waterfall that splits in two. Maddy of Hello Stranger writes that the phenomenon just isn't that impressive. AllTrails users enjoy this short, easy hike, but many report that it's pretty crowded. Most of the complaints there, though, are about the stairs, which are pretty steep. Devil's Kettle might not be a "miss," but there are far more impressive waterfalls surrounding Lake Superior. The most impressive might be Kakabeka Falls, and you can reach them as part of the breathtaking Lake Superior Circle Tour road trip. Located across the border in Canada, gushing Kakabeka is Ontario's second-highest waterfall.

The final overrated hike on Maddy's list is Lake of the Clouds in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. No one's denying Lake of the Clouds is gorgeous. It's just that everyone knows it is, and it's especially crowded in the fall. We don't want to tell you to skip this hike, as so many people who go there love it. But we do want to tell you to take bug spray and a head net if you're there in late spring or summer and to be prepared for a steep climb back up from the lake.

If you're looking for stunning terrain without the tourist traffic, the north shore of Lake Superior delivers in spades. To discover it, we suggest hiking one (or a few) of the sections of the Superior Hiking Trail. Starting near Duluth, the rugged trail follows the lake for 310 miles to the Canadian border, passing through landscapes reminiscent of Maine's picturesque coastline.

Lastly, if you can make it to northern Michigan, near the Canadian border, hop on a ferry or a seaplane to Isle Royale. This national park is one of the hardest parks to see in the country, as there's no vehicle access, but if you make it, you'll be greeted by pristine wilderness and possibly a moose or two. To dip your toes into the hikes on these islands, try the Scoville Point Trail with stunning views and a well-maintained path.