Trail sections in red are completed, those in orange proposed, those in green are connecting trails. For a larger map, you could download this PDF, but it's 95 megs./NPS.

Legislation introduced in Congress would, if enacted, one day allow you to walk from North Dakota to Vermont on the North Country National Scenic Trail, and then hang a right and head down to Georgia on the Appalachian National Scenic Trail.

Currently, the North Country trail runs about 2,000 miles, though when it's completed it would stretch about 4,600 miles, more than twice as long as the A.T.

U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Al Franken (D-MN), along with U.S. Representatives Rick Nolan and Erik Paulsen, have renewed their efforts to reroute some sections of the North Country Scenic Trail route in Minnesota and extend its length.

The politicians note that the trail '“ which currently extends from New York to North Dakota '“ was never built along certain sections in Minnesota because the current corridor includes wetland areas that are difficult to build through and raise conservation concerns. The lawmakers last week reintroduced legislation that would revise the authorized trail route to avoid these wetland areas by including existing hiking trails in the Minnesota Arrowhead region of the Boundary Waters and North Shore of Lake Superior. The bill would also extend the trail into Vermont in order to connect it to the Appalachian Trail, which would allow hikers to journey the entire 4,600 miles from North Dakota to Vermont. Senator Patrick Leahy (D-VT) is also helping lead the bill in the Senate and Rep. Nolan is leading the bill in the House.

'œFrom the Boundary Waters to Lake Superior, Minnesota'™s Arrowhead region has some of the most beautiful trails in the country,' Sen. Klobuchar said in a release announcing the renewed effort. 'œBy finally completing the North Country Scenic Trail route through Minnesota, this legislation would boost tourism, benefit local businesses, and allow people to share in our state'™s natural beauty.'

'œCompleting the North Country Scenic Trail means it can be enjoyed'”by families, hikers, and those visiting Minnesota'”for generations to come,' added Sen. Franken. 'œOur bipartisan legislation will help promote conservation while, at the same time, strengthening the economy of the region and attracting tourists from all over the world.'

'œI'™m proud to be an original author of this bill to boost our multi-billion dollar tourism industry and create jobs throughout the Northland while conserving wetlands and enhancing the experience for the thousands of hikers who travel these trails today,' said Rep. Nolan. 'œIn Minnesota, we live for the great out-of-doors. With the inclusion of the Arrowhead reroute into the national system, we honor the contributions of past trailmakers, ensure future generations benefit from their hard work, and continue the legacy of responsible land stewardship.' 

The North Country National Scenic Trail is the nation'™s longest hiking trail, currently running 4,600 miles from New York to North Dakota and passing through three national parks, nine national forests, and one national grassland, according to the National Park Service. The trail was created by Congress in 1980 and has been largely built by volunteers.

Thinking of preparing for a long-distance hike? Check out this story from Traveler's archives.