The Piedmont trail system has 5.5 km of classical-style double-tracked trail for beginning, intermediate and advanced skiers. Aspen and birch dominate the rolling landscape, and several breathtaking views of the St. Louis River and City of Duluth are found atop rocky overlooks. In 1960, Jerry Nowak, an avid skier, first cut a small trail in the woods near his home. In 1965, Glen Nelson, then Proctor High School ski coach, learned of the nearby trail system, and in the fall, enlisted his athletes to assist with brushing and widening the trails. The following winter, a snowmobile was first used to groom trails for a track setter to follow.
One of the unique features of this ski trail system that exists today are the 45 wooden, hand-made, inspirational signs placed at strategic locations at the beginning of each ski season. As makers of the signs, Jerry and Glen thought that as one climbed a long hill, a bit of inspiration might coax an athlete to give a little more effort. In 1980, the City of Duluth recognized the need for a trail system in the Piedmont neighborhood. They learned of the illegally-built trail and approached Jerry and Glen who agreed to have the City take over the maintenance and grooming of the trails. The Great Minnesota Ski Pass is required to use this trail.
The Superior Hiking Trail is located near the Piedmont Trail System. This foot-travel only path extends from one end of the city to the other and onward up the shore of Lake Superior to Canada. It links all of Duluth’s neighborhoods and trail systems and shares several overlooks with the other trail systems.
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