North end of Lake Ashtabula to the North Dakota/Minnesota state line.
Follow the route of the Lake Ashtabula Recreation Area, Valley City, Fort Ransom State Park, Sheyenne State Forest, and the Sheyenne River. Grasslands, cows, fences and stiles dominate the landscape as the route passes through the Ekre Grassland Preserve and Sheyenne National Grassland. This section is one of the most unique hiking experiences along the North Country Trail. The Trail follows a mix of road walk and off-road sections, with terrain being fairly flat as it exits North Dakota at Fort Abercrombie State Historic Site.
Header photo by Dove Day