I took a deep breath as I drove up the road to the Superior National Forest trailhead for Oberg and Leveaux Mountains. Both sides of the road were lined with cars that weekday afternoon in late September. I’d hiked these trails dozens of times but I’d never seen it this busy.
Minnesota’s Arrowhead region is my favorite part of the state for outdoor activities year-round. In addition to the breathtaking beauty, I enjoy the quiet and solitude that these thoughtfully protected and managed public lands provide. But during the peak of fall colors, traffic increases and that solitude is harder to find.
Oberg vs Leveaux
Oberg Mountain is probably the most popular fall colors hike on the North Shore. And for good reason. At about two and a half miles, and countless scenic vistas, the effort-to-reward ratio is high. But due to its popularity, you must be extra patient if you plan to capture photos of the stunning views. All that aside, its beauty draws me in every few years.
When I first started visiting Oberg Mountain, it wasn’t nearly as popular as it is today. The first year that we found the parking lot for Oberg and Leveaux Mountains overflowing was the first year we headed in the opposite direction. Leveaux Mountain is lesser known and less popular. At three and a half miles, it offers an equally beautiful hike and plenty of epic scenic vistas.
The Popular Oberg Mountain
It had been years since I hiked Oberg Mountain as a day hike, so during my fall colors trip last fall, I decided to give it another go, and I’m glad I did. Since I’d last been there, the US Forest Service had installed interpretive signs along the Oberg Mountain trail. I always appreciate the opportunity to learn while I hike.
It was busier than expected though. I counted over 100 hikers on that two-and-a-half-mile hike. While it was busy, I do appreciate that this special place draws in people from so many backgrounds. Oberg Mountain isn’t a place where you’ll see hordes of experienced hikers flying by you on the trail. Rather, there’s a good mix of young and old, as well as beginners and pros. It’s somewhere you’ll feel welcome regardless of your skills and abilities.
Peace and Solitude on Leveaux Mountain
After my reunion with Oberg, I of course had to go see how Leveaux had changed. As I marched my way along the balsam-lined boardwalk, I was overcome with a sense of peace from the quiet and solitude of the dark forest. I meandered along, stopping to chat with a father and daughter who were hiking Leveaux for the first time due to the traffic on Oberg.
When I reached the most popular Leveaux overlook, I said hello to the group who had stopped for a break and to savor the view. I snapped a couple of photos and left them to enjoy the quiet. Then I continued to one of my favorite fall colors overlooks in all of Minnesota. I took some time to relish having this stunning vista all to myself.
As I made my way down I encountered one other group who asked about the difficulty of the trail. I assured them that it wasn’t too bad and the views were worth it. When I returned to the parking lot it was late afternoon and the crowds had mostly departed. I reflected on the two wildly different experiences that started at the same trailhead.
If I were forced to pick just one, I would pick Leveaux without a second thought. That said, I’ve experienced Oberg many times throughout every season. If you haven’t been, I say that Oberg Mountain is a must-see hike on Minnesota’s North Shore. If you’ve already experienced the glory of Oberg Mountain’s fall foliage, I highly recommend giving the Leveaux hike a try. The difficulty is similar, but you’ll enjoy uniquely beautiful vistas. Better yet, if you’ve got the miles in you, do both. Pack a lunch and enjoy a beautiful day on the Superior Hiking Trail in the Superior National Forest. Then you can decide which hike you liked better.
You can learn everything you need to know about visiting Oberg and Leveaux Mountain through this handy guide from the USDA Forest Service.
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Holly Scherer is a Minnesota-based writer, photographer, outdoorswoman, and guide. She’s most at home in the great outdoors; camping, hiking, paddling, cycling, and gardening. When she’s not on an adventure, she and her husband live in the Twin Cities where they’re fond of saying, “home is where we store our outdoor gear.”