Although many people may associate it with paddling the Boundary Waters and summer hiking or fishing, if you're looking for a winter adventure in the North Star State, you should put Minnesota's Gunflint Trail trip at the top of your list. I did just that on one January weekend, and the only thing I regret is not having more time to do and see all there was to experience.

Minnesota's Gunflint Trail stretches 57 miles from Lake Superior and the charming lakeside outpost of Grand Marais to an arm of Saganaga Lake, which straddles the Canadian Border. The Gunflint, as it's often called, was designated a National Scenic Byway in 2009, but its history goes back hundreds of years. The route generally follows a footpath once used by Native Americans and fur-trading voyageurs to negotiate the region's numerous lakes and the challenging peaks of the Misquah Hills. It was first improved as a road in the late 19th century to provide access to an iron ore mine that almost immediately failed. The modern Gunflint Trail was not fully paved until nearly a century later, in 1979.

Now, it's a gateway to numerous resorts, lodges, and outfitters to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which the road bisects. Several major footpaths, including the Superior Hiking, Border Route, and Kekekabic Trails, all have trailheads along the Gunflint. The clear, clean lakes are renowned for their fishing opportunities, as well as exploration by adventurous paddlers. But winter takes adventuring on the Gunflint Trail up a notch.

The gateway to the Gunflint Trail is in Grand Marais, on Lake Superior.

But it's not where the sign is located. To get onto the Gunflint, you should head up 5th Ave. W. near downtown, or turn up the Gunflint where it intersects with Minnesota 61, just east of downtown. I prefer to head up 5th Ave. when I'm going up the Trail.

Before starting, though, I armed myself with coffee.

Java Moose is not only my favorite coffee spot on the North Shore, but I'd add it to a Top 10 list of best coffee shops in the state.

It started out life as a seasonal stand next to the Lake Superior Trading Post, but now it's a year-round coffee shop that serves up locally-roasted joe in a cozy, lakefront cafe.

Add to the caffeine burst with some actual sustenance - in the form of a smoothie.

I'm a big fan of Shook Smoothies. Although it is open most days during the winter, I missed its hours on the day I headed up the Gunflint. It's a food (smoothie) truck behind the Harbor Inn, about half a block from Java Moose. Its concoctions, alone, are worth a trip up the shore!

The first part of the Trail is a steep climb toward the Lake Superior uplands. I stopped at the Pincushion Mountain overlook, just past the iconic "Gunflint Trail" water tower on the left side of the road.

The views out over Grand Marais and Lake Superior were stunning.

The Pincushion Mountain trailhead is also the first place to access the massive network of cross-country ski trails along Minnesota's Gunflint Trail.

The nearby George Washington Pines Winter Recreation Trail - just before you reach the "Guardians of the Gunflint," towering white pines on either side of the road - is a great short trail for beginners, as well snowshoers and skijorers.

With more than 400km of groomed trails, the network includes the Upper and Central Gunflint systems, as well as the Banadad Ski Trail.

Passes are required for the trails. I picked mine up at Bearskin Lodge - you'll see the sign on the right-hand side of the road as you head up the trail. Passes are also available at Gunflint and Golden Eagle Lodges, as well as a handful of other area resorts. The Banadad requires a Minnesota Trails pass from the DNR.

Bearskin Lodge's Nordic Center is an awesome place to start because it offers several levels of trail difficulty and terrain.

I'm a big fan of flatter, smoother trails myself.

Always be on the lookout for moose and other wildlife on the Gunflint - especially as you approach mid-trail. They're attracted to the road as both a way to avoid deep snow and for the salt that's used to battle ice.

Similarly, snowmobiles often cross Minnesota's Gunflint Trail. Because the mid-trail resorts are so close to the road, you may find yourself sharing the right of way with a sled on occasion.

Mid-trail is always a great place to stop for lunch, and you'll find quite a few options.

Trail Center Lodge and Restaurant is always a solid choice. It's also an awesome spot for breakfast.

On this trip, though, I felt more like pizza.

So, White Pine Lodge was where I stopped for lunch.

White Pine (formerly Big Bear) Lodge came under new ownership in 2022 and quickly gained renown for its artisan pizza.

It even offers take-and-bake pies if you want to bring some home with you.

After lunch, I continued along the Gunflint, past frozen lakes and through the misty, snow-blanketed Misquah Hills and Superior National Forest.

Then, I stopped at the Magnetic Rock trailhead for a quick winter hike to work off the pizza I'd eaten for lunch.

I considered snowshoeing, but the trail was pretty narrow, so I strapped on my Yaktrax and hoofed it.

The snow was sufficiently packed to make for a pretty low-key hike without snow shoes.

Do be careful, though, if you step off the edge of the trail, you could post-hole up to your knee or higher. I did wish I had grabbed my trekking poles for a little extra stability, but I didn't want to go back for them.

The payoff was definitely worth it.

The Magnetic Rock trailhead is the western terminus of the Border Route Trail. Hypothetically, I could have gone for another 65 miles. But I only went about a mile out and didn't make it as far as Magnetic Rock, which is about a six-mile round trip.

By the time I finished my hike, it was late afternoon and time to check into my lodging for the evening.

I backtracked a few miles - probably five minutes or so - to Gunflint Lodge.

I love Gunflint Lodge because it feels just like a historic North Woods lodge should feel.

It's rustic and comfortable, as well as cozy and welcoming.

I also love it because the Lodge is a perfect base camp for winter adventures of all kinds.

You can ice skate, cross country ski, snowshoe, or snowmobile right from the resort. (Not to mention enjoy a bonfire and hot drink).

The lodge can also arrange other winter adventures, from ice fishing to wildlife viewing with a naturalist, during your stay.

Although Gunflint Lodge does have a restaurant - Justine's Bistro - I opted to head back down to mid-trail for dinner.

I would argue that Poplar Haus is the best restaurant on the Gunflint Trail.

I started with the restaurant's signature old -fashioned at the bar.

Then I moseyed with my drink out onto the restaurant's massive deck...

...where the sun was just starting to dip below the horizon on the southwest shore of Poplar Lake.

I watched as the sun set the sky over the Gunflint Trail ablaze, feeling grateful to be right there at that precise moment.

Then, I went back inside and ate a delicious meal next to the massive stone fireplace. A magnificent winter adventure indeed, which you can see more of in this video footage.

And I don't think there could have been a more fitting way to end my daylong Gunflint Trail trip. What will you do when you visit the Gunflint? No matter what it is, make sure you pack the essentials for winter travel so you are properly prepared for a cold-weather adventure.

When you're looking for your next adventure, be sure to check out all of the features in our Everyday Explorers series. Where would you like to see us take our next adventure? Let us know on the Only In Your State Nomination Page.