Adventures for All Seasons
We are a perfect stop on your trip to the legendary Superior Hiking Trail or the Boundary Waters Canoe Area. Only 3 miles away, Giant’s Ridge offers 60km of world-class nordic ski trails, packed snowshoe trails, 35 alpine runs with multiple terrain parks. In the summer months, the resort is equally appealing for its two breathtaking (and national award-wining) golf courses, hiking, mountain biking and paddling routes. Cyclists can ride the paved Mesabi Bike Trail which winds through almost 100 miles of the historic iron range, or enjoy the smooth back roads to Lake Superior 60 miles away. Embarrass Lake, just a 5 minute walk from our door, offers sandy beaches, lake swimming and miles of paddling. Not sure where to begin? Check out owner Shawn’s list of his favorite adventures in the area!
+ Cycling/Mountain Biking/Fat-Tire Biking
- Cruise on the 130+ miles of the paved Mesabi Trail where you can take your bike through forests, past streams, and between rolling hills of northern MN.
- Do some fat-tire winter biking at Giants Ridge or hit the lift-served downhill and cross-country summer trails for mountain biking.
- Explore the trails of Lookout Mountain which includes 5 miles of dedicated mountain bike single track and over 6 miles of multi-use rideable ski trail.
- Be sure to check out the Redhead Mountain Bike Park, which boasts giant views of reclaimed minelands, blue pit lakes, and more.
+ Golf and Disc Golf
- Golf the three (!) nationally-ranked courses nearby at The Legends and the Quarry at Giants Ridge, as well as the Wilderness at Fortune Bay, a premier resort golf destination located on Lake Vermilion.
- Enjoy the 80+ acres of Disc Golf at Giants Ridge.
+ Skiing
- Downhill ski and snowboard at Giants Ridge with 35 awesome downhill runs and some of the most popular snowbarding terrain in the area.
- Cross country the 60+km of nordic trails at Giants Ridge.
- Strap on the skis (or snowshoes) and head over to Bird Lake Trail - and don't forget to come back and visit it during the summer!
- Find 200km of groomed, tracked trails in the Lake Vermilion area.
- Explore more trails for nordic skiing when you explore the Iron Range.
+Parks, Beaches, and More Outdoor Experiences
Looking for a place to snowshoe (you can do that here right here out your own front door!), hike, birdwatch, or just explore? Be sure to check out these opportunities in the area!
- Visit Lake Vermillion State Park and check out their virtual tour.
- Head over to Bearhead State Park.
- Explore McCarthy Beach State Park and start by checking out their 360 tour.
- Explore the Lost Lake Peatland Scientific Nature Area, the Sand Lake Peatland Scientific Nature Area, the Sax-Zim Bog and the Darwin Myers Wildlife Management Area for amazing birding, hiking, snowshoeing, and wilderness opportunities.
- Try your hand at Geocaching in the area.
- Visit area waterways such as Embarrass Lake and Lake Orebegone for time on the beach, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, and more!
+ Water Sports and Activities
Did you know you can paddle from Sabin Lake at Giants Ridge through the narrows to Wynne Lake, then meander along the historic fur trading route of The Embarrass River, eventually passing Thoreau's cabin at Green Gate Guest Houses before reaching Embarrass Lake. From there, you can continue on for miles, or choose from several beaches to enjoy a picnic lunch! Check out the other water options and give us a call to plan your northwoods adventure in style!
- Kayak or canoeing/paddle along Embarrass Lake.
- Swim at nearby Embarrass Lake or exploring others in the area.
- Relax at the nearby beach - you can get to one just a short walk from your door!
- Fish from shore or a pier (or bring your boat or try out 2-hour loaner!).
- Ice fish on area lakes - one of the quintessential MN winter activities.
+ Hiking
- Be sure to make time for hiking on the Mesabi Trail, including 130+ miles of paved trails.
- Hike any (or all) of the trails at Giants Ridge - from the scenic Alpine mountain, to the Nordic trails, and through the surrounding Superior National Forest.
- Explore George Washington State Forest trails and cool off at one of the beaches along the way.
- Head to Lookout Mountain (in Virginia) where the Laurentian Divide Recreation Area serves as the trailhead for the Lookout Mountain Trail and Laurentian Divide Fitness Trail (including a 15 mile hiking and skiing trail system)
- Visit Bearhead Lake State Park for hiking, along with geocaching and snowshoeing.
Whatever adventures you think you might to try, know that we are here to help you plan the vacation need, doing the things you want to do. Give us a call!
Shawn’s Favorite Adventures
Get ready to pack your 5-day stay with adventure! Shawn shares his favorites in the area.
1. Lift-served mountain biking at Giants Ridge, flow trails at Redhead, or the more technical single tack at Lookout Mountain. (Stay a week and add day trips the Duluth Traverse, Cuyuna and Tioga Trails too!)
2. Biking the paved Mesabi Trail from GGGH across the Laurentian Divide. Utilize the Mesabi Trail shuttle service for point-to-point excursions up to 100 miles, or enjoy smooth back road loops to Ely or the North Shore.
3. Paddling Wynne/Sabin Lakes, the Embarrass River, to Embarrass Lake. Check out our loaner boats for 2 hour excursions or rent canoes and kayaks at the Vermillion Trail Campground nearby for full day exploration.
4. Hike the mountainside trails at Giants Ridge, or day trips to Lookout Mountain and Bearhead Lake State Park.
5. Golfing the Legend and Quarry at Giants Ridge, plus the wilderness at Fortune Bay.
Join Green Gate owner, Shawn, as he hits the trails of Giants Ridge - right out the backdoor of his Green Gate Property!