Methods and apparatus for unambiguously identifying merge points associated with backup label switched paths (LSPs) which substantially bypass border routers included along a primary LSP are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method for finding a merge point between a primary LSP and a backup LSP which has a head-end and a tail-end in different regions includes obtaining identifying information, which identifies nodes on the path of the primary LSP, from a record route object associated with the primary LSP. The method also includes comparing a node address of the identifying information with a destination address of the backup LSP or a node address present in a node identifier (node-ID) subobject of the backup LSP to identify the merge point.