Boundary Waters Hiking Trails

About the boundary waters canoe area wilderness (bwcaw). The gunflint trail provides access to much of the bwca for canoeists, but there are also a variety of hiking trails, both easy and difficult along the gunflint trail. As its name implies, it runs parallel to the international border.

Author, paddler and backpacker, annie nelson grew up in the twin cites and has hiked more than 500 miles of minnesota trails and over 1,500 miles of the north country trail, ending in the boundary waters. 17 rows accommodations close to the hiking trails. More than 1 million acres, it extends nearly 150 miles along the international boundary adjacent to canada’s quetico provincial park and is bordered on the west by voyageurs national park.

Get to know this 40.50 mile, point to point trail near ely, minnesota.

Though known for its water trails, the boundary waters’ hiking trails are worth the effort. It was originally created in the 1970s by the minnesota rovers hiking club and the forest. Some are short and sweet, while others require multiple days to complete. Leave your canoe at the end of duncan lake and walk the portage, you will come across the “stairway portage” a rare boundary waters portage with wooden stairs.