Putting 1,300 miles on your bike is a feat, and Lake Superior offers more than just curving coastal roads. Did you know that there are thousands of years of human endurance, maritime folklore and natural history around the lake?
This area is dominated by the living history of First Nations people, followed by 19th-century fur traders and copper miners who navigated the coast and rugged landscape. While you’re navigating the coastal roads, add a little history to the miles on your odometer with this 7-day itinerary that combines both.
Daily riding distances average 274 km (170 mi) to 386 km (240 mi) per day, so you have lots of time to lean into the twisties and stretch your legs off the bike to explore heritage around the Big Lake.
Day 1: Sault Ste. Marie, ON to Marquette, MI
The Locks and the Upper Peninsula
Distance: 280 km (175 mi) | Riding Time: 3.5 hours
If your starting point is from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario, before gearing up to cross the border, visit the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site to view the world’s first electrically operated lock, built in 1895.
After crossing the International Bridge into Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, visit the River of History Museum for a quick look into the early logging, shipping, and First Nations history of the St. Marys River area. Then, ride west along MI-28 and branch toward the shoreline. Be
Rider’s Notes: If your starting point is Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, add the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site to Day 7!
Day 2: Marquette, MI to Copper Harbor, MI
The Keweenaw Copper Boom & Ridge Rides
Distance: 305 km (190 mi) | Riding Time: 4 hours
As you and your bike head northwest toward the Keweenaw Peninsula via US-41, you’ll be riding through North America’s first major mineral boom, where thousands arrived in the mid-1800s seeking pure copper. Take in any of these attractions to learn more about it:
Quincy Mine & Smelter Works (Hancock, MI): Take a tour of the world’s largest steam-driven mine hoist and explore the underground shaft house.
A. E. Seamen Mineral Museum (Houghton, MI): A collection of Michigan minerals with spectacular, glowing displays inside the fluorescent mineral room.
Copper Range Museum (South Range, MI): Showcases original railway cars and turn-of-the-century mining boomtown life.
Delaware Copper Mine (Mohawk, MI): One of the oldest copper operations in the Keweenaw, dating back to 1847.
Brockway Mountain Drive (Keweenaw Peninsula, MI): Ride one of the highest, most thrilling ridgelines in the Midwest before dropping into Copper Harbor.
Fort Wilkins Historic State Park (Copper Harbor, MI): End the afternoon exploring a preserved 1844 U.S. Army garrison built to keep peace during the height of the copper rush.
Day 3: Copper Harbor, MI to Bayfield, WI
Open-Air Murals & Island Fur Trade
Distance: 378 km (235 mi) | Riding Time: 4.5 hours
Leaving the Keweenaw Peninsula, follow the southern rim of Lake Superior west into Wisconsin along WI-13.
Ashland Historic Murals (Ashland, WI): Known as the “Historic Mural Capital of Wisconsin,” there are 16 massive murals depicting timber, rail, and First Nation history.
Madeline Island Historical Museum (La Pointe, WI): Catch the passenger/vehicle ferry out to Madeline Island to visit the original site of a late-1600s French fur-trading post.
Superior Entry Lighthouse (Superior, WI): Stand near the historic 1913 harbour light sitting on the longest freshwater sandbar in the world.
End your evening in Bayfield, a picturesque coastal harbour village surrounded by orchards and views of the Apostle Islands.
Rider’s Notes: Motorcycles are welcome aboard the Madeline Island Ferry. The ferry is first-come, first-served.
Day 4: Bayfield, WI to Grand Marais, MN
Ore Freighters, Historic Trains & The Big Water
Distance: 314 km (195 mi) | Riding Time: 4 hours
The road curves around the tip of Chequamegon Bay and climbs north onto Minnesota’s famous Highway 61, sweeping along dramatic lakeside cliffs. Before stepping onto iron giants, explore what’s under the surface.
Great Lakes Aquarium (Duluth, MN): This is one of the only freshwater-focused aquariums in the U.S. Get an up-close look at the murky depths beneath Lake Superior’s waves.
Lake Superior Railroad Museum & S.S. William A. Irvin (Duluth, MN): Park at Duluth’s Canal Park to walk through a 1938 flagship ore freighter and explore historic steam locomotives at the Union Depot.
Pull into Grand Marais for the night, a historic harbour town filled with local artisan shops, smokehouses, and harbour views.
Day 5: Grand Marais, MN to Thunder Bay, ON
Voyageur Outposts & Living History
Distance: 273 km (170 mi) | Riding Time: 3.5 hours
On this section of the route, you’re entering voyageur country. Before you cross into Canada at the Pigeon River border, visit the Grand Portage National Monument. This reconstructed fur trade depot preserves the historic portage route used by Ojibwe traders and French voyageurs. Once in Canada, check out:
Oliver Paipoonge Heritage Park (Slate River Valley, ON): Features a restored turn-of-the-century pioneer village and vintage machinery collection.
Fort William Historical Park (Thunder Bay, ON): Step into 1815 at one of the largest living-history sites in North America, reconstructing the inland headquarters of the North West Company fur trade.
Terry Fox Monument (Thunder Bay, ON): Overlooks Lake Superior, marking the historic endpoint of Terry Fox’s 1980 Marathon of Hope.
Day 6: Thunder Bay, ON to Wawa, ON
Sacred Sites & Billion-Year Geology
Distance: 386 km (240 mi) | Riding Time: 4.5 hours
The north shore of Lake Superior is known for its wilderness riding along Trans-Canada Hwy 17, where the Canadian Shield plunges right into Lake Superior.
Anemki Wajiw – Mount McKay Lookout (Fort William First Nation): Take the paved winding road up this sacred 1,000-foot mesa for sweeping vistas across Thunder Bay and the Sleeping Giant formation.
Schreiber Rail Museum (Schreiber, ON): Pull off in this historic railway town to explore rich CPR history, vintage train artifacts, and memorabilia celebrating Schreiber’s deep roots as an essential Lake Superior rail hub.
Pebble Beach (Marathon, ON): Pull off to see smooth water-carved beaches and ancient lava flows that formed the bedrock of the continent over a billion years ago.
Overnight in Wawa, and don’t forget to grab a classic bike photo at the famous Wawa Goose monument!
Distance: 225 km (140 mi) | Riding Time: 3 hours
Agawa Bay Culture, Voyageurs & Bushplanes
The last day of the trip is the sweeping ride along one of the best coastal motorcycle stretches along the route, with rider favourites like Old Woman Bay, Montreal River Harbour and Alona Bay.
Lake Superior Provincial Park Visitor Centre (Agawa Bay): This visitor centre features immersive, respectful indoor exhibits detailing Anishinaabe natural history, local legends, and regional environmental stewardship.
Voyageurs’ Lodge (Batchawana Bay): A roadside stop celebrating fur-trade heritage—grab a legendary warm apple fritter right across from the beach.
Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre (Sault Ste. Marie, ON): Explore 25,000 square feet of aviation history detailing how bush pilots opened up the northern wilderness.
Ermatinger-Clergue National Historic Site (Sault Ste. Marie, ON): Features two of the oldest stone buildings northwest of Toronto, detailing early 1800s fur trade life and the industrial vision of the region’s steel, paper, rail and hydroelectric empire.
Ride Lake Superior is more than racking up numbers; it’s about experiencing the stories along the lake’s shores. Grab your gear, lock in your route and experience this long-distance ride for yourself.
