Tofte, Minnesota
Oberg Mountain Loop
The North Shore's best short hike for sweeping Lake Superior and inland forest views.
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Length
- 2.3 mi
- Elevation Gain
- 380 ft
- Duration
- 1–2
- Best Season
- Sep–Oct for fall color
- Permit
- Not required
- Dogs
- Allowed
- Features
- Lake Superior views, Fall foliage
About the trail
Oberg Mountain in the Sawtooth Mountains delivers nine viewpoints in 2.3 miles. The loop climbs gently through sugar maple and birch forest before circling the summit ridge with overlooks of Lake Superior, Oberg Lake, and Leveaux Mountain. Peak fall foliage in late September turns the entire ridge crimson and gold.
Trailhead map & directions
Trailhead: 47.5928, -90.7592Get directions →
Turn-by-turn route
- Drive Highway 61 north from Tofte for 4.5 miles.
- Turn left on Forest Road 336 (Onion River Road).
- Park in the Oberg lot after 2 miles.
- Take the Oberg Mountain Loop spur off the Superior Hiking Trail.
- Walk the loop clockwise for the best sequence of views.
Parking
Oberg Mountain lot on FR-336. Fee required (self-pay station).
Tips from the trail
- Get there at dawn during peak foliage weekends — parking overflows by 9 AM.
- Combine with the Leveaux Mountain Loop across the road for a half-day.
- Bring binoculars for raptor migration in September.