Routes

Paddling routes that provide adventure and a chance to connect with the world's wild places. We used to include the routes with the Trip Reports, but are breaking them out into their own category. If you have a route that you'd like to contribute to PaddlingLight, please, contact us. canoe route near the BWCA

Route Index

[catlist name=routes]

  • Routes,  Trip Reports

    Boundary Water’s Route: The Hunt for the Viking Dolmen

    Experts believe fifth-century Vikings placed a dolmen—a large stone perched upon three small rocks—somewhere in the Boundary Waters. Join us while we hunt for the Viking dolmen. Kelso River Boundary Waters Route Lakes Used: Sawbill Lake, Kelso River, Kelso Lake, Kelso River, Kelso Lake, Alton Lake, Sawbill LakeLength: 1 to 2 daysDistance: 9 to 10 milesElevator Pitch: A short scenic day trip, that works as an overnight. Paddle along varied terrain including birch forests, bogs, small and large lakes. The highlights include many large beaver lodges and the mysterious Viking dolmen.Description: Start at the campground on Sawbill Lake. If you need a canoe, rent one from Sawbill Outfitters. Head north,…

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  • Routes,  Trip Reports

    Kayaking on Lake Nipigon

    Lake Nipigon should be one of the premier kayaking destinations in North America. It’s remote, it’s wilderness, and it’s studded with 100s of islands to explore. It has big open water crossings, black sand beaches, towering palisades, and it can get rough and challenging. In 2008, Tim Russell and I took a week long trip to the lake. The following notes are from the research that we did (mainly Tim’s work). Originally, this research appeared on a wiki. It’s still there, but this will be a more permanent location. About Lake Nipigon From Wikipedia: Lake Nipigon (French : lac Nipigon) is the largest lake entirely within the boundaries of the…

  • Routes,  Trip Reports

    Vern River Loop

    Route Name: Brule Vern River LoopRoute: Brule, Juno, Vern, Vern River, Weird Lake, South Temperance Lake, and BruleDistance: 21 milesTotal Days: 2 Description of Boundary Waters Route Five hours of bush whacking, route forging, and pulling your canoe up and over miles of blow downs await the brave canoeist that tackles this fine route. The route starts out on the picturesque and big Brule Lake, but quickly ducks into Jock Mock Bay and then does a quick loop through the Vern River, which if paddled once a year, it would be considered a good year. The Vern River if cleaned out and some portages added would be a short but…

  • I'm Bryan, a paddler, former guide and sea kayaking instructor, a photographer, and freelance writer. Subscribe to get my tips, reviews, and stories delivered to your inbox.


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