Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need permits to hike the Border Route?

Yes and no. If you plan to hike outside the Boundary Waters Canoe Area (east of McFarland Lake and west of Crab Lake), you do not need to obtain a permit. However, if you want to go on an overnight trip and want to camp within the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), which the BRT crosses between Crab Lake in the west and McFarland Lake in the east, you need to obtain a wilderness permit from the Forest Service. For day hikes within the BWCA, you can obtain a self-issue permit at the trail-heads.

You can obtain your overnight permit over the phone by calling 1-877-550-6777 or over the internet. Some outfitters are also able to organize permits for you. A permit fee of $10 per person applies and the group size is limited to a maximum or 9 participants.

What should I expect on the trail? How difficult is it?

The Border Route Trail is a rugged wilderness hiking trail that follows ridge-lines and the top of high cliffs wherever feasible. Therefore, hiking the trail offers expansive views across the Boundary Waters Canoe Area in Minnesota and Quetico Provincal Park in Canada. Even though the trail is regularly maintained by volunteers, storms can change conditions in the blink of an eye — as in July 1999, when a strong storm devastated large parts of the Boundary Waters.

The results of the Big Blow are evident all along the Border Route Trail: Because a large part of trees was downed in that storm, brush now thrives in the canopy-deprived forest (and hence on the trail) and from many overlooks, you can see the downed trees below.

Because of its rugged and primitive nature, it provides solitude and a true wilderness experience but also requires good map and compass skills. Hiking the trail is definitely much different from hiking your local city park.

To find the most up-to-date information on the trail's condition, consult the trails maps,

Where is the trail?

The Border Route Trail lies in the far northeast corner of Minnesota (the Arrowhead) and follows the international border between the US and Canada. Its eastern trailhead lies on Rengo Road, a side road to the Arrowhead Trail (Country Road 14) and connects with the northern end of the Superior Hiking Trail. From this trailhead, the BRT winds its way west through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area and ends on the Gunflint Trail (Country Road 12), where it connects with the Kekekabic Trail.

The closest towns are Grand Marais (beginning of Gunflint Trail, Country Rd 12) and Hovland (beginning of Arrowhead Trail, Country Road 14). Grand Marais on the shore of Lake Superior, as a main artery into the BWCA, provides a large number of services for canoeists and hikers through outfitters, a Ranger station and a thriving tourist economy. You will also find a large number of lodges and outfitters along Cook Country Road 12 (Gunflint Trail), which is one of the major gateways into the BWCA.

How long is the trail?

The trail is currently 65.4 miles long and connects Rengo Road to the east with the Gunflint Trail (Country Road 12) to the west. "Currently", because as originally conceived, the trail continues east from Rengo Road to the west end of the Grand Portage Trail which connects the site of Fort Charlotte with Grand Portage National Monument at the shore of Lake Superior. This very eastern section lies within the Grand Portage Indian Reservation and we currently do not have permission to maintain that trail segment.

How long does it take to hike the trail?

That depends critically on the individual: How long are you willing to hike every day, how good are your route-finding skills, how fast can/ do you want to hike, is the trail free of deadfall or did a storm down a few trees you will have to climb over or walk around? Some people might be able to hike the trail in five days, but an average estimate would be to budget 7-8 days to hike the entire trail from the Gunflint (County Road 12) in the west to Rengo Road in the east.

Are maps available for the trail?

Absolutely! You will find detailed annotated maps, based on USGS 1:24000 quadrangles, in the Trail Guide. Also, McKenzie publishes a map-set for the Boundary Waters that shows the Border Route Trail. Note though that the western section of the Border Route Trail near the Gunflint Trail (Country Road 12) is not marked in the McKenzie maps. We are currently working to get the GPS-data for that section and get the trail on the maps ASAP. McKenzie maps are available in most outdoor and map stores in the Twin Cities Metro Area. The BRT is not marked on standard USGS 1:24000 topo-maps!

How about bugs?

Bugs can be a problem anywhere in Northern Minnesota, depending on the time of the year you plan to hike the trail. Normally, April and May are fairly bug-free, but you might encounter snow on the trail or an occasional snow shower. June and July are prime mosquito and blackfly season, but their numbers are decreasing by mid-August. Ticks have been spotted as early as the beginning of May.

Where can I get more information?

This web-site has a wealth of information to get you started in planning your trip. For more detailed maps and descriptions, consider ordering a Trail Guide, which will also give you some background information on the historic relevance and geological facts.

If you still feel confused, please contact us and ask any specific questions you might have.

After your hike, please send us a brief report of the trail conditions (bad and good), which will help us plan our next clearing activities and which we will post on the web-site for other hiker's benefit.

How can I help?

If you want to help in the maintenance of the trail, you're welcome to come along with one of our trail crews. The Minnesota Rovers Outing Club, which planned, built and maintains the trail organizes trail clearing trips in the spring and fall of each year and throughout the year as needed.

Please check the trail clearing or Activities-pages for up-to-date information on upcoming trail clearing trips.

What is the Magnetic Rock Trail?

The Magnetic Rock trail is a footpath that leads from the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) to Magnetic Rock. The Border Route Trail in that part coincides with the Magnetic Rock Trail, but confusingly, the trailhead is marked only as "Magnetic Rock Trail".

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