Cross Country Skiing

As a sport, cross-country skiing is one of the most difficult endurance sports, as its motions use every major muscle group and it is one of the sports that burn the most calories per hour in execution.  But if you just want to enjoy some peace and serenity of the back woods, strap on those skis and do it for fun.  You will find many groomed trails that will offer that relaxing quietness that winter in the U.P. will bring.  Snowmobilers and downhill skiers can’t possibly know that feeling of being completely one with nature.

With most trails opening in November it’s an excellent past time to keep you from getting cabin fever or hoping for an early spring.

The following trails are listed by county so no matter where you are in the Upper Peninsula you will have access to some of the best trails in the Midwest.

Alger County:

Buckhorn Ski Trail – 400 E. Munising Avenue, Munising 49862, (906)387-3700

Christmas Lighted Ski Trail – 400 E. Munising Avenue, Munising 49862, (906)387-3700

Grand Marais Ski Trails – Two trails. The first is four miles east of Grand Marais on H-58 and is 25 miles of intermediate to expert trail. The second is two miles west of Grand Marais on H-58 in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and is six miles of beginner to intermediate trail. For more information contact Burt Township School, (906)494-2521, or Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore Headquarters (906)387-2607, or the Grand Marais Ranger Station, (906)494-2669.

Hiawatha Ski Trail – 400 E. Munising Avenue, Munising 49862, (906)387-3700

Munising Ski Trails – One mile east of Munising on H-58. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore marked trails. Beginner through advanced. Eleven miles of trails. Trail link-up with North Country Trail. Portion groomed and tracked. Contact Lakeshore Headquarters, (906)387-2607 or Chamber of Commerce (906)387-2138

Valley Spur Ski Trails – Six miles from Munising on M-94, 12 miles from Chatham. Munising Ranger District. Hiawatha National Forest. Seven trails 1.6 to 18 km. Groomed and tracked on a regular basis. (906)387-2512, or the Chamber of Commerce. (906)387-2138

Baraga County:

Piney Lake Ski Trails – 2.5 miles northeast of L’Anse, 5 km various loop lengths. Novice and intermediate levels. Ski through red pine woods. All marked and groomed. Call Baragaland Ski Club at (906)524-6514 or (906)524-7444

Chippewa County:

Algonquin Ski Trails – Located in a convenient heavily wooded area in the western section of Sault Ste. Marie. Three separate loops of well groomed trails totaling eight miles. The first loop lighted for night skiing. For more information call 800-MI-SAULT.

Paradise Pathway – Half mile west of Paradise on M-123. Two trails, north trail is three miles and south trail is 1.5 miles. DNR trail is locally groomed. State park (906)492-3415. DNR District Headquarters (906)293-5131.

Pine Bowl Pathway – Near former Kincheloe Air Force Base, four miles from I-75 on Wilson Road, 9.5 miles of groomed marked trails in the Munuscong State Forest. DNR maintained.  State Forest, Sault Ste. Marie. (906)635-5281

DeTour Pathway – Located five miles west of DeTour on M-134. Four miles through the woods on groomed and marked trails to St. Vitals Point on Lake Huron Shores for a spectacular view.

Drummond Island Ski Trails – Several miles of groomed trails are offered on this island paradise from novice to expert.

Delta County:

City of Escanaba – North 30th Street. 4.2 miles to 6.6 miles.

Escanaba River State Forest – 6833 US-2/US-41. Gladstone. (906)644-2603

Fayette State Park – Eight miles southwest of Garden, five miles of groomed trail. Park Headquarters (906)644-2603

Gladstone Sports Park – Three miles of marked novice cross-country trail, located adjacent to ski hill. Trail groomed and double tracks set on a regular basis.

Days River Pathway – Bay de Noc State Forest. Near Gladstone. 17.9 miles of DNR maintained trails. (906)786-2351

Rapid River Ski Trails – Seven miles north of Rapid River Ranger on US-41. Rapid River Ranger District. Hiawatha National Forest. Three trails, four to 13 km. Groomed and tracked on a regular basis.

Dickinson County:

Fumee Lake Natural Area – Two miles east of Quinnesec on US-2, 1 mile north on Upper Pine Creek Road. Seven, two and one mile loops. Groomed.

Gene’s Pond – County Road 581 (Norway Lake Road), take Gene’s Pond Road to parking area. Trail starts at boat launch, goes to scenic overlook and through wildlife opening. 2.3 miles.

Iron Mountain City Park – West off Carpenter, end of “A” Street. Four loops totaling 3.5 km. Easy to difficult paths. Groomed.

Lake Antoine – Path is located at Lake Antoine Park just north of Iron Mountain.

Lake Mary Plains – West on M-69 from Sagol. South on Glidden Lake Road. Both loops 3.4 miles. Groomed.

Merriman E. Pathway – North of Iron Mountain. Seven miles east on Merriman Truck Trail off M-95. Two loops, three and six miles. Hiking and cross-country skiing. DNR maintained. Forester in Felch, (906)246-3210

Gogebic County:

Lake Gogebic State Park – On M-64, 13 miles NE of Marenisco. Five miles of more difficult trails, all marked. Park headquarters,(906)842-3341

Wolverine Hill Trail – Gogebic County, Ironwood, five miles of marked and groomed trails. Novice and intermediate trails. (906)932-4465 or 932-4470

Houghton County:

Chassel Classic – One block off US-41 in Chassel, one km lighted for night skiing, eight km of marked and groomed trails. Novice, intermediate and advanced. Keweenaw Tourism office, (906)337-4579 or 800-338-7982

Maasto Hiihto – Adjacent to Houghton County Arena, Hancock, 17 km looped in forest for novice to expert. Packed and groomed. 906-482-2720

McLain State Park – On M-203. Seven miles west of Calumet. Four miles of easiest and more difficult trails, all marked. Park Headquarters  (906)482-0278

Michigan Tech Trails - 1197 Calumet Avenue, Calumet 49913. (906)337-4579 or 800-338-7982

Old Grade Trail – On M-38, seven miles west of Nisula. Ottawa National Forest-United States Forest Service. 3.9 miles partially marked novice trail.  (906)884-2085

Swedetown Pathway – Calumet, off Osceola Road, 18k, 2k lighted for night skiing, three loops of novice, intermediate and advanced trails, all marked and groomed. Keweenaw Peninsula Chamber of Commerce. (906)337-4579 or 800-338-7982

Iron County:

Ge-Che Trail – Iron River. Ottawa National Forest, United States Forest Service. 4.75 miles partially marked intermediate trail. (906)265-5139

Lake Mary Plains Pathway – Between Crystal Falls and Sagola on M-69. More than 9 miles of DNR maintained trails. (906)875-6622

George Young Recreational Complex – The Iron River Nordic Cross-County Ski Center offers 25 kilometers of meticulously groomed trails, prepared for both classical and skating techniques. Follow the trails to explore Scott Lake, Minnie Lake and Wagner Lake or wind through the wooded expanse of the complex. The varying terrain provides excellent skiing for all ability levels, from novice to expert. Trails are open daily from 10:00am to 4:30pm. Closed Mondays

Keweenaw County:

Copper Harbor Pathway – Maintained by the DNR, Parks Division. Over ten miles of marked and groomed trails. Novice to expert. For more information contact, Keweenaw Tourism Council 800-338-7982

Fort Wilkins State Park – Near Copper Harbor. Two miles of easiest trails, marked and groomed. 9k novice to expert. Park Headquarters  (906)289-4215

Luce County:

Canada Lakes Pathway – Four miles from Newberry off M-28 on County Road 403, three trails of over three, four and six miles in the Tahquamenon River State Forest. Maintained by the DNR. State Park (906)492-3415. DNR District Headquarters (906)293-5131, or the Newberry Chamber of Commerce (906)293-5562

Lake Superior State Forest – P.O. Box 445, Newberry 49868. (906)293-5131

Natural Area Pathway – Luce and Chippewa County, between Paradise (14 miles) and Newberry (23 miles). 13 miles of DNR maintained trails in the Tahquamenon Falls State Park. State Park (906)492-3415. DNR District headquarters (906)293-5131. Newberry Area Chamber of Commerce (906)293-5562 or write Paradise Chamber of Commerce, Paradise 49768.

Tahquamenon Falls State Park – Luce and Chippewa Counties on M-123. Twelve miles southwest of Paradise.  Six miles of easiest and most difficult trails. Trails are marked.  Park Headquarters  (906)492-3415.

Mackinac County:

Curtis Area Trails – P.O. Box 477, Curtis 49820. (906) 586-3700

Les Cheneaux Area – Cedarville and Hessel. Combination snowmobile/cross-country trails. Chamber of Commerce (906)484-3935

ALL MACKINAC ISLAND ROADS AND TRAILS ARE OPEN TO CROSS-COUNTRY SKIING

Manilak Resort Ski Trail – Total length of 2.3 miles/4.6km. The Barrett Road Ski Trail has a total length of 1.5 miles/2.4km.

Sand Dunes Ski Trail – 11 miles west of St. Ignace on US-2, 0.5 miles north of County Road H-57. Five trails 1.5 to 6.2 miles (2.4km to 10km). Marked and groomed.  St. Ignace Ranger District.  Hiawatha National Forest.

Sprang Road Ski Trail – The trail difficulty ratings are easy and more difficult and total length of 9.1 miles/14.5km.

St. Martin Cross-Country Ski Trail – US Forest Service.  No motorized vehicles. Hiking, snowshoeing, and mountain biking also.  6-7 miles west of Hessel.

Marquette County:

Al Quaal Recreation Area – Near Ishpeming and the National Ski Hall of Fame. Four cross-country courses, 2.5, 5, 7 and 10km. Sponsored and maintained by the Ishpeming Ski Club. Chamber of Commerce (906)486-4841, 486-6181, or 486-6581.

Anderson Lake Pathway – Near Gwinn on County Road 557, Escanaba River State Forest. 10.3 miles of DNR maintained trails. (906)228-6561

Black River Pathway – Near Ishpeming on Country Road 581. Escanaba River State Forest. 2.5 miles of marked trails (slightly hilly). (906)475-4213

Blueberry Ridge Pathway – Near Marquette on the junctions of County Roads 480 and 553. Three loops, 2.5, five and eight miles of DNR maintained trails.( 906) 249-1497

Cleveland Location Trails – Ishpeming Ski Club, P.O. 127, Ishpeming 49849. (906)486-9281, or 486-4841.

Harlow Lake Pathway – 1985 US-41, Ishpeming 49849. Eight miles north of Marquette on County Road 55.  Five miles west on DNR maintained trails. Beginner to expert. Not groomed. (906)485-1031

Kivela Road Park Ski Trail – Negaunee. (906)475-7869

Longyear Ski Trail – Expert trail located northeast on Forestville Road. Not groomed.

Marquette Fit Strip – Marquette. (906)228-0460

National Mine Biathlon Area – Route 3, Box 1024, National Mine 49865. (906)486-8080

Negaunee Township Touring Trail – 42 M-35, Negaunee 49866. (906)475-7869

Presque Isle Park Trails – Two trails in northeast Marquette. End of Lakeshore Blvd. Beginner and intermediate loops. Trails groomed. (906) 228-0460

Silver Creek Trails – Marquette 49855. (800)544-4321

Suicide Bowl Trails – P.O. Box 127, Ishpeming 49849. (906)486-9281 or 486-4841

Menominee County:

Cedar River Pathway – Near Cedar River. 17.5 miles of DNR maintained trails. (906)753-6317

Henes Park Trail – City of Menominee. (906)863-2656

J.W. Wells State Park – On M-35, one mile south of Cedar River, four miles of easiest and more difficult trails, all marked.  Park Headquarters (906)863-9747

Ontonagon County:

Gogebic Ridge Trail – On M-64, 0.5 mile north of Bergland, 2.5 miles of marked trails. Ottawa National Forest. United States Forest Service, four miles of marked expert trails. (906)575-3441

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park – 13 miles west of Silver City on the shores of Lake Superior. This is one of the Midwest’s oldest and most scenic trail systems.  State of the art grooming on 42km of double track set trail.  A special one ride lift ticket gives Nordic skiers quick access to the trails on the backside of our Alpine ski area. Trailside cabins, equipment rental, ski shop, warming chalet, and cafeteria. 412 South Boundary Road, Ontonagon 49953 or phone (906)885-5275

Schoolcraft County:

Ashford Lake Pathway – 16 miles north of Manistique off M-94. Trails of three, six and nine miles marked and tracked. DNR maintained. (906)341-2518

Indian Lake Cross-Country Ski Trail – Three miles west of Manistique off M-149. Trails are one, three and 4.5 miles long.

Northern Hardwoods Cross-Country Ski Area – Seney National Wildlife Refuge. 906-586-9851

Seney National Wildlife Refuge – 1.5 miles north of Germfask on Highway M-77. Three marked trail loops ranging from 1.5 to 10 miles in length. For information call Refuge Headquarters at (906)586-9851 (weekdays) and 586-9801 (weekends). This 96,000 acre Wildlife Refuge is closed to snowmobiles and off-road vehicles.

Make sure you call ahead to your destination and remember some few simple rules:

*No dogs on maintained trails

*Obey trail signs

*Yield track to faster skiers

*If you fall, clear the tracks as fast as possible and repair damage

*Be careful on downhill’s

*Do not stop where you obstruct a trail or are not visible from above

*If you carry it in, carry it out. Do not litter