Take a Hike in Southeast Michigan
A Healthier Michigan
| 3 min read
Whether you’re looking to escape to a natural setting or enjoy a quick hike on your lunch break, southeast Michigan has plenty of great trails to discover. Here are some ideas to get you going on your next hiking adventure.
Take this trail from Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti and explore parks, historic sites and natural beauty. The Border to Border trail has 35 miles of accessible walkways and work is currently underway on Title IX Plaza, which honors the impact of Title IX legislation on women’s sports in southeast Michigan. There are 12 access points to the trail between Chelsea and downtown Ypsilanti.
This tree-lined trail connects suburban Flint Township with downtown Flint, passing through Chevy Commons Park, a reclaimed industrial park once home to the “Chevy in the Hole” plant turned into a riverside green space. There is parking available at both the southwestern end of the trail and the eastern end of the trail in downtown Flint.
Belle Isle Iron Belle Trail
The Iron Belle Trail covers more than 2,000 miles from the western tip of the Upper Peninsula all the way to Belle Isle in Detroit, with two routes – one for hiking, and one for biking. There are still portions of the trail being completed – check out this interactive map from the state of Michigan to keep up to date.
Located in the 550-acreWilliam P. Holliday Forest & Wildlife Preserve, this 5.7-mile loop trail near Westland in Wayne County is great for nature walks. There are more than 10 miles of trails throughout the preserve.
Hike an 8.5-mile paved trail around Kent Lake or break free and explore the unpaved trails in the Kensington Metropark, which offers more than 4,000 acres of wooded land surrounding beautiful Kent Lake, is home to much wildlife and waterfowl, including a wildlife trail where you can hand-feed birds, often including chickadees and woodpeckers.
Mike Levine Lakelands Trail State Park
More than 34 miles of trail loops through wooded areas and rolling farmland in the 13-acre Mike Levine Lakeland Trail State Park. Hike through woods, pastures, picturesque wetlands and by the beautiful Huron River.
The 54-mile Bridge to Bay Trail follows the St. Clair River from New Baltimore in Macomb County to Algonac State Park, and north to Lakeport State Park, in St. Clair County. The trail tracks through local downtowns and neighborhoods, and by parks, museums, beaches and lighthouses.
Discover more hidden hiking gems in this episode of A Healthier Michigan Podcast. Host Chuck Gaidica is joined by Dan Muncey, onsite well-being coordinator at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Paul Yauk, trail coordinator for the State of Michigan to discuss the best local sites.
