The Feldtmann Ridge Trail is another one of Isle Royale’s great walks, a 10.3-mile trek across the high ridge from Feldtmann Lake to Siskiwit Bay. Because of a major forest fire in the 1930s, stretches of its crest are open, providing sweeping views of the island’s most remote corner. Halfway across it is an old firetower that you can ascend for even better views.

When combined with the Feldtmann Lake Trail, a 8.5-mile walk to Feldtmann Lake Campground, the 4.8-mile Island Mine Trail and a portion of the Greenstone Ridge Trail, this trail is the highpoint of a three-day, 30.7-mile circuit that’s one of the most scenic in the park.

But best of all, Feldtmann Ridge experiences far fewer hikers than the Greenstone or the trails at the east end of the island. The loop is popular with backpackers from Minnesota who arrive at Windigo as hikers who step ashore in Rock Harbor have to make additional transportation arrangements to reach this trail. But this loop is well worth the additional costs and is the perfect choice for anybody not up for a five to six-day traverse of the island along the Greenstone or Minong ridges.

The other alternative is to ferry to Windigo and hike this loop to the Greenstone Ridge Trail near Island Mine Campground. Here you head east, instead of west, to return to Rock Harbor. Such a grand adventure would require seven to eight days but would be unmatched by any other walk on the island in terms of scenery, wilderness solitude and the possibilities of spotting wildlife, particularly moose. Just make sure you pack plenty of gorp.