Lakewalk Directions, Access, and Parking

Paid parking is available in designated lots. From the Lift Bridge the Duluth Lakewalk has easy access to the lakeshore to where the path heads up the coastline by Endion Station at the north end of Canal Park.

The Lakewalk provides over eight miles of paved pedestrian and bicycle trail for scenic walking, riding, and other exercising. Heading east, the first mile starts under the Lift Bridge and is shared with the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT)and North Country Trail (NCT). The Baywalk, expands trail options as it heads west to Bayfront Park.

The first Lakewalk section has a boardwalk for walking and separate blacktop trail for wheeled vehicles. Don’t miss seeing huge ships that may be passing through the canal.

To be resilient to gales and huge waves off Lake Superior, much of this section has been armored with basalt and gabbro boulders weighing 6-12 tons each. Between the lake and Canal Park hotels/restaurants, wave retention ponds have been installed and planted with pollinator plants.

There are pause points along the way, some offering direct lake access. Uncle Harvey’s mausoleum/”the cribs” is quite the curiosity. It is the concrete foundation of an unloading dock, and has rested in the lake since 1919. Endion Station was built in 1899. To preserve it and make way for the expansion of Interstate 35, this RR station was relocated 1.5 miles by truck, all in one piece.

Downtown Duluth
Paid parking is available along Superior Street and in designated lots. Access trails lead to and from several locations on Superior Street through Giche-ode’ Akiing (Lake Place) and Sister Cities Park to the Lakewalk. The ceramic image wall is made from 1.7 million ceramic tiles and tells the story of Duluth’s shipping past. Near the gravel beach there are public toilets and a bicycle repair station. Up the ramp or stairs, are the Chief Buffalo Memorial Mural, Sister Cities garden, a sculpture garden, benches, picnic tables, and a great view of this corner of the lake. A ramp to the east leads back down to the Lakewalk. The Lakewalk then passes the Veterans memorial area.

Fitgers and Va Bene Restaurant
Paid parking is available in the ramp adjoining the Fitgers shopping building. Originally the building had been a brewery. In this section, popular restaurants are located along Superior Street. Several overlook the lake and Lakewalk. They may be accessed by using either set of stairs. The boardwalk ends here while the blacktop trail continues along the shore for another seven miles.

Rose Garden and Leif Erikson Park
Free parking is available along London Road or in the Rose Garden parking lot. The next two miles include natural areas with rocky shoreline. The Lakewalk passes through Leif Erikson Park.  This is a nice area to pause and explore. Behind the 1927 stone amphitheater along the shore are interesting rock outcrops of a basaltic lava flow overlain by cross-bedded, tan-colored sandstone.

To visit the Rose Garden, take the 2nd bridge over the railroad tracks. There are public toilets at the Rose Garden parking lot. From here the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT)and North Country Trail (NCT) split off and head north. Nearby is a shopping area with groceries, deli, bakery, pharmacy, auto parts, and two bike shops. Back on the Lakewalk, cross over Chester Creek and continue east. There are several more pause points along the shoreline.

21st Avenue East
Free parking is available in the lot on Water Street (closed during winter).  Here the Lakewalk is a dedicated blacktop trail paralleling Water Street. Continue past the condos and townhouses. At 23rd Avenue East the trail heads up a grade, then passes a bike and pedestrian bridge. This bridge crosses over I-35 leading to London Road restaurants and hotels, as well as providing a great view of the lake.

Continuing on the Lakewalk, a wooded area is entered. There are several steep social walking trails that lead to the shoreline. This area is known as “The Ledges”, a geological significant area. View glacial grooves & scratches (striations), wave smoothed slabs, and exposed rocks over one billion years old.

At the bottom of the downhill grade watch for a trail junction. If heading straight, this is actually a Lakewalk spur. It is above a cliff of volcanic red Rhyolite rock, that suddenly meets the sidewalk of busy London Road. Now presents the option to turn around and head back to Canal Park, or return to that trail junction, take a sharp right turn and head uphill, then go parallel with the RR tracks. The Lakewalk continues through an underpass tunnel, avoiding London Road traffic.

26th Avenue East
Free parking is available in the lot on Alexander Street near the Circle K Gas Station.  A short access trail leads to the Lakewalk and a large pollinator garden.

The Lakewalk continues east for five more miles, much of it away from the shoreline. It initially parallels the RR tracks and winds through wooded areas. Be sure to pause at the bridge that crosses Tischer Creek. This was part of the Glensheen Estate.

Lakeside/Lester Park
From 40th Avenue East to 61st Avenue East, the Lakewalk is a straight blacktop trail that passes through the neighborhoods of Lakeside and Lester Park. Possible stops include: first an old fashioned hardware store, then post office, coffee shop, liquor store, e-bike shop, restaurant, and brewpub. For picnic supplies, the last stop along this section is a grocery store with deli and bakery.

Brighton Beach
Over the next half mile, the Lakewalk passes another pollinator garden and then crosses above the waterfalls of Amity Creek and  Lester River. Just beyond is North 61st Avenue East. To the left is a short spur trail to Lester Park Recreation Area. Turn right, where the Lakewalk trail advances downhill toward Lake Superior, passing through a tunnel under London Road.

There is parallel parking available along Brighton Beach Road. During peak summer use, alternative parking options may be needed.

The eastern terminus of Duluth’s Lakewalk is Brighton Beach, also known as Kitchi Gammi Park. It includes the last mile of Lakewalk, with direct shoreline access and stunning views of Lake Superior. Vault toilets are at two locations. Posts are set to hang hammocks. Tables and grills are present for picnics. Numerous benches for relaxing. Natural playscapes are available for children. There is a stone pavilion that includes hearth and fireplace.

Enjoy your time exploring the Lake Superior basin, Duluth Lakewalk and numerous pause points and parks along the way.