Mount Desor – Lake Desor loop from Carnelian Beach

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

United States

Michigan

Keweenaw County

Mount Desor – Lake Desor loop from Carnelian Beach

Hard

4.7

(2472)

13,843

hikers

Mount Desor – Lake Desor loop from Carnelian Beach

07:26

26.5km

540m

Hiking

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

Last updated: August 6, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Isle Royale Wilderness

Waypoints

Start point

Get Directions

2.47 km

Hoist engine and copper tailings

Highlight • Historical Site

Industrial relics of the Island Mining Company, which operated briefly in search of copper ore on the island in the late 1800s.

Tip by

8.66 km

Mount Desor

Highlight • Summit

Mount Desor is the highest point on Isle Royale, reaching 1,394 feet (425 meters). Located along the Greenstone Ridge Trail, it offers a challenging but rewarding hike through dense forest …

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11.5 km

Lake Desor

Highlight • Lake

Lake Desor is the largest inland lake on Isle Royale, stretching over 2 miles long with a rugged shoreline. Unlike the cold, rocky waters of Lake Superior, Desor’s waters are …

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13.0 km

South Lake Desor Campground

Highlight • Rest Area

South Lake Desor Campground is a back country campsite along the Greenstone Ridge Trail, offering a quiet stop for hikers. It has designated tent sites and a pit toilet, but …

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26.5 km

End point

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

25.3 km

1.20 km

Surfaces

25.3 km

1.20 km

Elevation