Okay, so here’s the deal: I’m relatively new to Duluth. Moved here about a year ago for work (and, let’s be honest, the chance to live near trails, trees, and big water). I’ve been slowly checking parks off my list Enger, Chester, Lester, but somehow hadn’t made it to Hartley Park until this past weekend.

Spoiler alert: I was seriously missing out.

A Trail System That Feels Like a Choose-Your-Own Adventure

I rolled up around mid-morning, water bottle in one hand, granola bar in the other, fully expecting a nice, chill hike. What I found instead was a full-on network of trails, wooded, winding, and way more expansive than I expected. Over 600 acres? Yep. This place is no joke.

The coolest part? It felt wild in spots. Like, “Am I still in city limits?” kind of wild. One minute I was surrounded by thick woods, the next I was skirting a quiet pond, and then boom, wide open rocky ridgelines with views that made me just stop and breathe it all in.

Forest, Rock, Water—Repeat

I took a loop that included a stretch of the Superior Hiking Trail, dipped into a more rugged section with exposed rock (hello, glutes), and passed by Hartley Pond where a couple of kids were skipping stones and laughing like it was the 90s. There’s something super refreshing about a place where mountain bikers, hikers, and families can all coexist and still find their own vibe.

And for real—the forest sections? Absolute green tunnels. Ferns, birches, and the occasional squirrel that looked personally offended that I interrupted its day.