In a network that executes a link state routing protocol, a network node receives periodic disseminations of link state information from other network nodes. The link state information includes neighboring node identity and link cost metrics. The network node calculates the initial routing paths based on the received link state information by using a link state routing algorithm. It then adapts the calculated path based on both the current link state information and past link state information through a reinforcement learning process. The network node then selects a routing path to each destination node based on the adaptation and updates the routing table accordingly.