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KEWEENAW PASTY TRAIL

The Pasty is a cultural point of pride in the Keweenaw. They’re considered sacred among many life-long residents of the Upper Peninsula. Debates range far and wide on which pasty reigns supreme. Each summer, the Copper Country’s prime pasty pros go head to head during Pasty Fest to determine a champion.

Now, you can immerse yourself in a treasure trove of portable yumminess by doing your own pasty pilgrimage. So grab a bib and pick a side (ketchup or gravy) and travel along the Keweenaw’s Pasty Trail!

WHAT IS A PASTY?

Pronounced “past-ee”, this cuisine is a folded pastry case with a savory filling, typically of seasoned meat and vegetables. The travel-ready meal came to the Keweenaw by way of Cornish miners who migrated to the area to work in the region’s booming copper mines during the 19th century.

COMPLETE THE KEWEENAW PASTY TRAIL CHALLENGE

Do you have what it takes to become a Keweenaw Pasty Trail (KPT) Legend?  If you’ve got the guts (literally and figuratively), complete the following to achieve unprecedented fame and score some sweet Keweenaw swag:

  1. Snap a picture of yourself outside each of our 12 Pasty Shops (see list below) and try a pasty. Seriously, they’re tasty.
  2. Post the pictures to your Instagram account using the hashtag #KeweenawPastyTrail. You can take your sweet time or do them all in a day. Just practice safe pasty consumption.
  3. After posting all 12 pics, send us a message on Instagram, or by email to info@visitkeweenaw.com, letting us know you’re claiming KPT Legendary Status and your mailing address.
  4. We’ll verify and send you some Keweenaw swag. 

Laurie O' Brien-Clark poses with Pasty Trail swag.

Laurie O'Brien-Clark poses with swag after claiming Keweenaw Pasty Trail Legendary Status. | Photo courtesy of Laurie O'Brien-Clark

12 KEWEENAW PASTY SHOP DESTINATIONS

Here’s the list of our 12 Keweenaw shops.

Keweenaw Pasty Trail Hall of Fame

Congratulations to all the Keweenaw Pasty Legends! 

  • Cathy Schrock
  • Allison Johnson
  • Glen Gomez
  • Laurie O'Brien-Clark
  • Sonia Bechberger 
  • State Representative Greg Markkanen
  • Florence Schretzmann
  • Complete the Pasty Trail to get on the list!

In the native Ojibwe language “Keweenaw” roughly translates to “the crossing place” and today, its natural beauty and history draw people…