North Country Trail

The North Country Trail enters Minnesota near Jay Cooke State Park, where the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT) begins. This famous 280-mile trail takes hikers first through the City of Duluth before following the ridgeline of Minnesota's scenic "North Shore." Reaching the end of the SHT, the NCT follows the aptly-named Border Route Trail (BRT) which heads 65 miles west paralleling the U.S. - Canada border. Upon reaching the end of the BRT at the famed Gunflint Trail (Cook Co. Hwy 12), the NCT picks up the Kekekabic Trail ("Kek"), which heads 38 miles west toward Snowbank Lake northeast of Ely. Note: Both the BRT and Kek traverse the million-acre Boundary Water Canoe Area Wilderness and should be attempted only by experienced backpackers or wilderness travelers because of the wilderness conditions found there.