Being in the Upper Peninsula means you are never more than half an hour from a Michigan State Park, State Forest Campground, State Recreation Area or State trail system.  The Michigan DNR offers hundreds of miles of trails and pathways used by hikers and bikers.  These trails provide scenic routes through the Michigan countryside, running by rivers and through forests or farm country, connecting small communities and many State Forest Campgrounds.  Some trails are quiet trails for nature walks or cross-country skiing, while others provide the loud rough and tumble extreme sport atmosphere.

The North Country trail passes into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula near the community of Ironwood before entering the Ottawa National Forest. Existing segments run along the Black River canyon, cross the wild country of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, cut through historic copper mining sites near Old Victoria and bring hikers to grand views at Sturgeon River Gorge Wilderness.

East of the Ottawa, the route moves across Copper Country State Forest, Craig Lake State Park, McCormick tract Wilderness and Presque Isle City Park en route to the City of Marquette. While on this stretch, take an excursion on a spur trail for a look at the state’s highest waterfall, Laughing Whitefish Falls.

East of Marquette, the route passes through public and private lands before reaching Hiawatha National Forest and Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Within Pictured Rocks, enjoy the 43-mile Lakeshore Trail along the Lake Superior shore, one of the greatest hits of the entire North Country Trail.

Continuing east, the trail passes through Lake Superior State Forest, Muskallonge Lake State Park and Tahquamenon Falls State Park (home to the second largest waterfall in the eastern United States) before turning south to head through Hiawatha National Forest toward St. Ignace and the Mackinac bridge, which can only be crossed on foot during the famous Labor Day Bridge Walk.

The Western Upper Michigan trails include hikes through The Porcupine Mountain Wilderness State Park which has 90 miles of trails running through the 60,000 acre park.  Autumn is one of the best times to visit with splashes of reds and oranges.  The colors are something that you will never forget; your camera will work overtime.  Black bears are common in the Porcupine Mountains so keep an eye out.

The Eastern Upper Michigan also has some awesome trails worth checking out. Hiking along the Lake Superior shoreline and a stroll by Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.  The Grand Island loop which is 8 miles long and is off the shore of the Pictured Rocks is full of history.  You will have to take a boat or pontoon over there but it is quiet and serene where you can spend an entire day.

UPtrails.org has a great website detailing every trail by county.  So no matter which end of the Upper Peninsula you decide to take a hike, make sure you pack the necessities.  Bug and tick “dope” or spray is a must and plenty of water to keep you and your loved ones hydrated.  It’s also a good idea to let someone know where you are going and how far you plan on hiking.  If you are going by yourself, leave a note in your car so that if you do wander off the trail, someone will know where to start looking if you don’t return to your vehicle.