In one embodiment, a packet switching device determines backup forwarding paths based on route distinguisher correlation values. A route distinguisher correlation value is some value associated with multiple routes, which allows a packet switching device to consider routes associated with a same route distinguisher correlation value, but having different route distinguishers and a same prefix to be considered as going to a same destination. Examples of route distinguisher correlation value used in one embodiment include, but are not limited to: scalar values, a route distinguisher of a different route, a virtual private network associated with a different route; a route target associated with the a different route; or a Border Gateway Protocol (BGP) Next-hop address associated with a different route.