Best Hiking Trails in Northern Michigan
Julie Bitely
| 2 min read
From Traverse City to Alpena and points in between, the northern half of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula is home to wonderful vacation destinations and plenty of natural beauty to explore.
If you’re planning to be in the area, make a point to spend a day on foot, checking out some of the best hiking trails in Michigan.
- Alpena Bi-Path This flat, paved trail is a great way to explore everything the City of Alpena has to offer, including the Thunder Bay Recreation Area and National Marine Sanctuary, Island Park and Wildlife Sanctuary and plenty of city parks and beaches with views of Lake Huron.
- Bear River Bear River Trail Located in Petoskey, this short route takes you along the beautiful Bear River, which boasts the Lower Peninsula’s only whitewater course. Photo credit: bagaball
- AuSable River Hartwick Pines-AuSable River Trail Enjoy old-growth Eastern Hemlock groves and lots of opportunities for birding on this winding trail that crosses the AuSable River. Photo credit: Joseph Novak
- Leelanau Trail Travel from Traverse City to Suttons Bay on this trail, enjoying vineyards, lakes, ponds, farms and ample natural beauty.
- North Eastern State Trail This Department of Natural Resources multi-use trail covers 70 miles from Cheboygan to Alpena.
Empire Beach trail and overlook
- Shore-to-Shore Trail Want to walk from Lake Michigan to Lake Huron? You can on this 220-mile trail, which ultimately connects the towns of Empire and Oscoda. Hikers will enjoy rural Michigan through back roads and river valleys. Photo credit: knitsteel
- A view from the trail. Sleeping Bear Heritage Trails Hike along the beautiful scenery contained within the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on this non-motorized trail. Photo credit: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore
Photo credit (feature image): knitsteel
