North Country Trail – Northern Cook Forest State Park

This trail in Cook Forest is very well used and easy to follow. The terrain is relatively flat, and enters into the woods on the west side of Forest Drive. Approximately 1 1/2 miles from the trailhead, the trail crosses a bridge over Brown’s Run, then follows along Brown’s Run for just over half a mile before crossing Toms Run Trail Road (N41° 21.669 W079° 13.980). It continues another 1 1/2 miles, following the hillside just above Toms Run, to the area of the Cook Forest Environmental Center (N41° 20.783 W079° 13.084). If you wish for a short hike of 3.6 miles, you can stop at the Environmental Center. However, from here, the trail goes through the famous Forest Cathedral in Cook Forest for just over a mile, to the South End of Forest Drive trailhead. This extra mile is worth it!