Harbor to Hills Loop

This is a roughly 33-mile clockwise backpacking loop from Rock Harbor that links the Lake Superior shore, interior lakes and the eastern Greenstone Ridge. The saved route goes from Rock Harbor through Moskey Basin and Lake Richie, follows Indian Portage to West Chickenbone, reaches the ridge by the East Chickenbone Lake Trail, then returns over Greenstone Ridge and Mount Franklin via Tobin Harbor. The full mapped line measures 33.2 miles. The park describes Harbor to Hills as a family of 26–33-mile itineraries, and its published mileage for Lake Richie to West Chickenbone is shorter than the connected trail line used here. Confirm the current map and your chosen campsite sequence before planning daily mileage. A shorter Ranger III itinerary follows a different route.

The Rock Harbor Trail starts with Lake Superior close by. Openings along Rock Harbor Channel look toward the outer islands, Rock Harbor Lighthouse and Edisen Fishery. Beyond Daisy Farm, the trail leaves the channel and winds through forest with rocky outcrops on the way to Moskey Basin. The changing shoreline and inland scenery make this a rewarding first stretch, but it is still a long walk between camps.

From Moskey Basin, Lake Richie Trail turns inland through streams, wet ground and exposed rocky outcrops. Indian Portage then links the interior lakes, passing through a quieter forest-and-wetland landscape toward Chickenbone. Expect the route to feel less like a shoreline walk and more like a sequence of lake crossings and wooded connectors. The mapped section to West Chickenbone is the main distance uncertainty: use the longer connected line when planning until the park confirms the current route mileage.

From the Chickenbone area the route climbs back toward the Greenstone Ridge and its eastbound views. The eastern ridge opens north over forest, Lake Superior and the distant Canadian shore; the old fire tower at Mount Ojibway and the north-facing Mount Franklin overlook are clear landmarks along this high stretch. From Mount Franklin the line turns down toward Tobin Harbor. The panorama is the trip’s high point; the long approach through lakes and wetlands is part of the payoff.

Plan on five to six days for the broader Harbor-to-Hills experience, not a day hike. This selected circuit is about 33 miles, and rugged tread, wet areas, elevation changes and stops can stretch the walking day. Divide it around the permitted backcountry campgrounds that fit your itinerary, and keep enough flexibility for slow conditions. Overnight stays require a backcountry permit. Services on the island are limited, so arrive self-sufficient with food, a map and a water plan; check current water guidance before treating interior sources.

Isle Royale is reached by ferry, seaplane or private boat. Start and finish at Rock Harbor, and confirm transportation dates and the park’s current trail and campground conditions before you commit to a schedule. Weather can deteriorate quickly; rocky tread, streams and wetlands can make footing slow. Mosquitoes and black flies are most troublesome in June and July and may continue into August. Dogs, cats and other mammals are prohibited in the park, including on boats inside park boundaries.