Minnesota’s Gunflint Trail is well known for its world class canoeing and access to the BWCA, but did you know there are also several beautiful hiking trails along the Gunflint? From easy hiking trails to rugged thru hikes, here are some of the best hikes along the Gunflint Trail.

why this blog: Hi there! My name is Maddy and I lived in Grand Marais, Minnesota for two years before moving “down shore” to Two Harbors. I’ve been an outdoor guide and writer since 2018, and my time with the Gunflint Trail in my backyard was some of my favorite! I’m so happy to show you around!

What is the Gunflint Trail in Minnesota?

The Gunflint Trail is a road beginning in Grand Marais, Minnesota that winds through the lakes of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. 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.

Note: This article contains affiliate links! This means if you decide to purchase something based on my recommendation, I make a small kickback at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own (as will be come very obvious very shortly)

What to pack for hiking on the Gunflint Trail:

• 2 lightweight, long hiking pants. I wear a size 8 and am short, and find the REI trailmade to be super flattering as well as the Kuhl freeflex.
• A fleece. Any fleece will do, but I really love my Patagonia Synchilla
• Wool baselayers. Five years of heavy paddling and my Smartwool baselayers are the only wool baselayers I’ve had that have really stood the test of time. For seven days, pack four baselayer tops. 
• Study hiking boots. I like my Briger Mids. Working in outdoor retail I literally never had anyone try on these shoes and not buy them. Pair with Darn Tough hiking socks and pack at least five pairs. 
• hiking sandals
• Quick dry shots: I like Patagonia Baggies
• A puffy jacket. It can be cool even in the summer near the lakeshore, especially evenings. My partner Andy (also a wilderness guide) swears by the Patagonia Nano Puff. I like my Helly Hansen Liftloft. 
• A day hiking pack: I love my Perimeter 35L. I was gifted this pack a few years back and it’s still my go-to day pack; a savvy packer can easily pack for a seven day hiking trip in this bag. 
• A raincoat. I love the Moss Raincoat from Helly Hansen; It’s affordable, cute, and super durable.

Summers on Lake Superior can be chilly, particularly in June and early July! Pack for a variety of weather conditions. I recommend…

Best Hiking Trails on the Gunflint Trail:

I’ve been lucky enough to live with the Gunflint Trail and the BWCA in my backyard. I’m a paddler at heart, but there are also beautiful hikes on the Gunflint Trail. From sunset spots, to day hikes, to more difficult hikes and backpacking, I’m happy to show you around!

1) Honeymoon Bluff Trail (short & steep)

Located on Clearwater Road off the Gunflint Trail, Honeymoon Bluff is a short but steep hike to an overlook of Hungry Jack Lake. This is one of the best sunset spots in the BWCA, and one of the best easy hikes on the Gunflint Trail.

Honeymoon Bluff is a great hiking trail for families or larger groups. Be careful not to hop the fence as cliffs are steep and subject to erosion!

2) Caribou Rock Trail (Bearskin and Moss Lakes only; 3 miles)

Tucked away on Hungry Jack Road off the Gunflint Trail, Caribou Rock Trail is a difficult trail that I would describe as an ankle twister (or breaker). It’s nearly nine miles round trip to reach Rose Falls on the Stairway Portage, and this trail is not suitable for beginners. There are several scrambles, no cell service, and the trail is incredibly difficult in spots.

Lucky enough, the Caribou Rock Trail is still beautiful even if you don’t hike all the way to Rose Falls. The Caribou Rock Trail has beautiful overlooks of Bearskin Lake and Moss Lake. The overlook of Bearskin Lake is within the first mile, and easy to reach, and the hike to the Moss Lake Overlook and back is 2-3 miles round trip, and slightly more difficult including increasingly rugged terrain.

Between Rose Falls and overlooks of Rose Lake, and the Moss Lake and Bearskin Lake Overlooks, Caribou Rock Trail is easily one of the most beautiful (and difficult) trails in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness.

Note: Permits are required for all day trips into the BWCA. You fill out a day use permit at your entry point.

3) Hike & Paddle to Rose Falls (moderate day trip)

You don’t have to hike the rugged Caribou Rock Trail to reach Rose Falls! Instead, rent a canoe from one of the many outfitters in Grand Marais or on the Gunflint Trail, and paddle and hike out to Rose Falls.

I recommend Mckenzie Maps for navigation in the BWCA. Put in at Bearskin Lake public access. As Rose Falls is in the BWCA, you will need to fill out a day permit at Bearskin Lake. Follow the north side of Bearskin Lake until you reach the Duncan Lake Portage. From here, take the portage to Duncan Lake. Head north on Duncan Lake until you reach the Stairway Portage. You can leave your canoe here.

Hike a short distance up the Stairway Portage to reach Rose Falls. The paddle/hike to Rose Falls will take between 4-6 hours round trip depending on paddling speed, time spend at the falls, and weather conditions. This is an incredible trip for small groups, but may be logistically difficult for families given the portages involved.

Whether you reach Rose Falls on foot or by canoe, these falls are one of the best day trips on the Gunflint Trail and in the BWCA. Permits required.

4) Magnetic Rock Trail (moderate, 2.5 miles)

Located near the end of the Gunflint Trail, the hike to Magnetic Rock Trail is a geologically interesting 2.5 mile hike out to the mysterious Magnetic Rock, a 30-ft tall standing stone at the edge of the BWCA that happens to be magnetic.

Magnetic Rock is pretty commonly passed over for more scenic trails like Caribou Rock and Honeymoon Bluff, but this trail still has beautiful view of the boreal forest, and is likely to be one of the less crowded trails along the Gunflint. Between the geologic mystery, underrated overlooks, and lack of crowds, the hike to Magnetic Rock is easily on of the best hikes on the Gunflint Trail.

5) The Border Route Trail (thru-hike, difficult)

The single best trail along the Gunflint Trail and in the BWCA is the Border Route Trial. The BRT is a 65 mile trail and potential thru hike through the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness. This trail can be overgrown, rugged, and incredibly challenging. That being said, it offers some of the most impressive views in the state of Minnesota, if not the Midwest.

Most hikers tackle the BRT in 5-7 days, but there are definitely options for shorter routes and loops. I recommend McKenzie Maps for route planning as they tend to be most accurate.

The Border Route Trail contains some of the best overlooks in the BWCA, and probably some of the best overlooks in the BWCA, rivaled perhaps only by the Superior Hiking Trail near Tettegouche State Park and Temperance State Park.

The Border Route Trail is easily the most beautiful hike on the Gunflint Trail, and has some of the best day hikes in the BWCA. Permits required.

Looking to get into backpacking? Check out this beginner-friendly guide to packing and planning your first backpacking trip!

6) Pincushion Mountain Trail (4 miles, mostly flat)

Just out of Grand Marais and on the base of the Gunflint Trail, Pincushion Mountain is a perfect hiking trail for groups looking for a moderate hike still suitable for beginners and sweeping views of Lake Superior. Pincushion Mountain is about four miles round trip, ending at a beautiful overlook of Lake Superior below.

On the clearest days, you can see Isle Royale National Park from the overlook. If you’re looking for a longer hike, continue along the Superior Hiking Trail down to the Devil Track River’s canyon, where you can see several small cascades, a beautiful river gorge, and an A-frame bridge over the river.

Pincushion Mountain is also a great trail in the winter! I highly recommend keeping your dog on leash in Northern Minnesota. Whenever you’re on trail in Cook County, you’re in wolf territory. It isn’t unheard of for dogs, even larger dogs, to be taken from yards in and around Grand Marais/Tofte, and it’s fairly common for off-leash dogs to smell a wolf kill and run off to investigate.

If you leash your dog, you don’t need to worry about wolves. They won’t approach you, but your dog might approach them.

7) Watap Cliffs Hike (full day or overnight; difficult)

One of the best very long day hikes or combination canoe/hike route in the BWCA accessible from the Gunflint Trail is Watap Cliffs Hike. To hike this route, you will want a MacKenzie Map and to come very prepared. Consider renting a canoe from Clearwater Lodge and paddling the first portion instead of hiking. I have only done this route as an overnight trip, but is definitely possible to chart out a very long, 10+ mile day hike.

Canoeing to Watap Cliffs Overlook.

Looking to plan a canoe trip to the BWCA? Check out this detailed guide to canoe trip planning here.

8) Rose Lake Cliffs & Falls as a day hike via CRT (full day or overnight, extremely strenuous)

If you’re looking for a difficult 14+ mile day hike in the BWCA (extremely rugged terrain, topo map and compass strongly recommended), check out the Rose Lake Cliffs route. This took us a full 12 hours to complete, only stopping twice for less than half-hour breaks (I am in fairly good shape and work as an outdoor guide. Keep in mind the rocks are extra slippery when wet)

Check out a full Rose Lake Cliffs trip report to replicate this route. Permits required.

9) Bridal Veil Falls via Crab Lake Spur (8 miles, moderate)

Bridal Veil Falls is tucked away off the Gunflint Trail and easiest to access via the Crab Lake Spur by Loon Lake, limited trailhead parking. This hike will take you to a beautiful BWCA waterfall (permits required!!) and past several overlooks of Gunflint Lake below. I would consider this trail moderate in difficulty for a seasoned hiker.

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Where will your next adventure be?

• Find the best hiking trails on the North Shore
• Explore eight hidden waterfalls in Northern Minnesota (but shhh… don’t tell anyone 😉)
• Here are thirty Midwest Hiking Trails, ranked best to worst. Where does your favorite fall?
• Check out the 30 Best Things to do on the North Shore!

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