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blue NCT: MN Segment 3 - Northeast Minnesota

  3.0 ( 1 )
  1. Areas
  2. MN
  3. …Northwest Minnesota
  4. Chippewa National Forest
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Trail

308.3 mile 496.1 kilometer point to point
98% Runnable
Intermediate

Elevation

Ascent: 14,891' 4,539 m
Descent: -14,820' -4,517 m
High: 2,049' 625 m
Low: 1,270' 387 m

Grade

Avg Grade: 2% (1°)
Max Grade: 28% (16°)

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Trail shared by Matthew Davis

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“Run from the Chippewa National Forest through the Boundary Waters.”

— Matthew Davis
GPX File

Features Birding · Fall Colors · Lake · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Waterfall · Wildflowers · Wildlife

The Kekekabic Trail and Border Route Trail require BWCAW permits. Learn more at recreation.gov/wildernessAr….

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Description

This section of the NCT features off-road trail through the Chippewa National Forest, a roadwalk to Grand Rapids, follows the paved Mesabi Trail through the Iron Range, roadwalk to Snowbank Lake Rd., and then off-road trail through the Boundary Waters along the Kekekabic Trail and Border Route Trail.

The trail ranges from very easy (along the Mesabi Trail) to very rugged (along the Border Route Trail). The Kekekabic and Border Route Trails should only be attempted by experienced backpackers because of its remoteness and primitive nature.

Flora & Fauna

This is the quintessential Northwoods with a near boreal forest. You'll have a chance to see a moose in northeastern Minnesota. Learn more at dnr.state.mn.us/ecs/212/ind….

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Trail Ratings

  3.0 from 1 vote

#1

in Chippewa National Forest

#18325

Overall
  3.0 from 1 vote
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Rankings

#1

in Chippewa National Forest

#147

in Minnesota

#18,325

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371 Since Jun 1, 2017
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Photos

Canoes in Mountain Lake, from an overlook on the Border Route Trail.
Canoes in Mountain Lake, from an overlook on th…
 3
Cliffs south of Gunflint Lake, taken from the Border Route Trail.
Cliffs south of Gunflint Lake, taken from the B…
 3
Border Route Trail - Hiking in Northern Minnesota
Border Route Trail - Hiking in Northern Minnesota
 2
Bridal Falls.
Bridal Falls.
 3
Magnetic Rock Trail in Winter, Minnesota
Magnetic Rock Trail in Winter, Minnesota
 2
Superior Hiking Trailhead
Superior Hiking Trailhead
 3

2 Comments

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J.h. Mendenhall
J.h. Mendenhall  
Hey! I'm planning to run the Border Route Trail next Summer, was wondering if you had any suggestions/resources that could help me plan for it! Sep 23, 2017
Matthew Davis
Detroit Lakes, MN
Matthew Davis   Detroit Lakes, MN
J.h. Mendenhall - you should contact Stephen Regenold, a.k.a. the Gear Junkie as he ran the BRT several years ago. It was pretty tough. gearjunkie.com/border-route… Sep 25, 2017

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