Overview
The Border Route Trail runs 65 miles along the ridges of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness near the Minnesota-Ontario border. The Moss Lake section, approximately 8 miles of the full route, represents the trail at its scenic best: a series of exposed ridges with views across BWCA lakes into Canada, blueberry-covered openings in late summer, and a remoteness that is notable even by Gunflint Trail standards.
This section is not a beginner hike. The 8-mile point-to-point involves 500 feet of gain distributed across multiple ridge crossings, a car shuttle or significant route-planning, and trail conditions that can be rough and poorly marked in sections. But the reward is a hiking experience that few people have: ridge-top views of an intact border wilderness that extends for miles in every direction without a road, building, or power line in sight.
The trail sits within Superior National Forest in the BWCA corridor. Understanding the difference between national forest and national park land is useful for trip planning here, as the permit and regulation structure of the BWCA is unique and distinct from both typical national forest and national park rules.
The Route
Western trailhead to first overlook (Miles 0 to 2). The trail begins off the Gunflint Trail in the Loon Lake area and climbs steadily through boreal forest to the first ridge. The climbing is not sustained at any single point: the route follows a rolling ridge system, gaining and losing elevation in a series of short climbs. The first significant overlook appears around mile 2, where a gap in the spruce gives a view south into a BWCA lake basin. The lake below sits in a classic Canadian Shield setting: clear water, rocky shoreline, no structures.
Moss Lake overlook (Miles 2 to 4). The trail continues northeast along the ridge, passing through open blueberry barrens (spectacular in late July and August) and scattered jack pine before reaching the primary Moss Lake viewpoint around mile 4. This is the signature view of the section: a sweeping ridgeline panorama looking north across Moss Lake and a chain of connected border lakes toward Ontario. The Canadian side of the border is forest and water as far as you can see. On a clear September day with the birch going gold below the ridge, this overlook ranks among the finest non-summit views in Minnesota.
East section (Miles 4 to 8). The trail continues east from the Moss Lake overlook on increasingly rugged terrain, descending to lake level and climbing two additional minor ridges before reaching the eastern access point near the Seagull Lake area. This section is the least-traveled portion and requires more careful navigation: the trail is maintained but not always obvious. A downloaded topo map or a printed Border Route Trail Association map is essential for this stretch.
Trail Conditions and Navigation
The Border Route Trail is maintained by volunteers through the Border Route Trail Association. Maintenance quality varies by section and year. The Moss Lake section is in generally good condition but can have blowdowns after significant storms, wet areas that require route-finding, and faint trail tread in open rocky sections.
Carry a map. Cell service is completely absent on the ridge. The USFS trail map for the Gunflint Ranger District and the Border Route Trail Association's trail guide cover this section. Download offline topo layers in a navigation app before leaving Grand Marais. A compass is useful backup given the trail's exposure to the magnetic anomalies common in this iron-rich geology.
Blueberry Ridges
The open ridge sections on the Moss Lake section produce outstanding blueberry harvests in late July and early August in good years. The low-bush blueberries (Vaccinium angustifolium) that dominate these barrens thrive in the thin, acidic soil over the Canadian Shield bedrock. On a good blueberry year, a hiker on the ridge can pick a quart of blueberries in an hour. Light trail-side picking for personal consumption is generally accepted practice under Leave No Trace guidelines in the national forest context, though harvesting large quantities is a different matter.
Camping
Dispersed camping is allowed in the national forest sections of this trail corridor, outside the BWCA boundary, following standard USFS rules: 200 feet from water and trail, pack all waste out, no fire within 200 feet of water. For overnight stays within the BWCA boundary (which includes most of the ridge corridor), a BWCA overnight permit is required. Our guide on national forest camping permits explains the permit structure in broader context.
Bear canisters are required for overnight BWCA camping and are strongly recommended for dispersed camping in the surrounding forest corridor. Black bears are active throughout the Gunflint Trail area.
Practical Tips
Plan the car shuttle logistics carefully before arriving. The Gunflint Trail has limited cell service in its northern reaches: coordinate shuttle arrangements before leaving Grand Marais or Ely. Some local outfitters and resorts offer shuttle services for Border Route hikers.
Many hikers carry 2 to 3 liters of water for the full 8-mile route. Water is available from streams and lakes along the route but must be treated: filter or purify all water from surface sources.
September is the best month for this trail. Bugs are gone, blueberry season is past but fall color is beginning, and trail traffic is at its annual low. The exposed ridges can be cold and windy in September: bring a wind layer regardless of the morning forecast.
Check conditions before you go, particularly for any trail closures or storm damage affecting the Border Route Trail. The trail's volunteer maintenance means damage can take longer to clear than on more-staffed routes.
Getting There
Both trailheads are accessed from the Gunflint Trail (County Road 12) north of Grand Marais. The western access is approximately 50 miles north of Grand Marais near Loon Lake Road; the eastern access is approximately 57 to 60 miles north near the Seagull Lake area. Grand Marais is the staging point. Allow 1 to 1.5 hours drive from Grand Marais to the northern Gunflint trailheads.