A Letter from SHTA Board Chair, Barry Cattadoris, on the Trail’s 40th Anniversary

January 26, 2026

Greetings from the Superior Hiking Trail Association Board of Directors!

2026 is a milestone year for the Superior Hiking Trail Association as we celebrate the magic of a Trail that began 40 years ago. What started as a vision to connect state parks and federal lands along the North Shore for overnight hikers has grown into a beloved resource enjoyed primarily by day hikers.

The story of the Trail is one of dedication and partnership. Over the past four decades, volunteers and financial supporters have cared for the Trail, private landowners have generously granted easements, and state and federal agencies have collaborated to make the Trail possible. The journey truly began in 1986 when thirty of these visionaries met to form the Superior Hiking Trail Association. From early construction projects completed by laid-off steelworkers from the Reserve Mining Plant in Silver Bay, to Finnish farmers who built the first Devil Track River bridge, hundreds of hands have built the Trail. Work continued until 2017, resulting in the 300‑mile gem that now stretches from the Minnesota–Wisconsin border south of Duluth all the way to the 270 degree Overlook near the Canadian border.

Volunteers have been the heartbeat of the Trail from the very beginning. In 2025 alone, more than 600 volunteers contributed over 10,000 hours to support the Trail.

What will the next 40 years bring? One thing is certain: the future of the Trail depends on people like you. Whether you volunteer to keep the Trail clear or provide financial support to rebuild and improve segments to modern environmental standards, your involvement makes everything possible.

Watch for announcements about upcoming celebrations for the Trail’s 40th birthday – we have many exciting things planned for 2026!

Barry Cattadoris
Chair, Board of Directors, SHTA