Out on a trail in Michigan's Porcupine Mountains. Photo by Instagram user CaptainCollinRichter
By Emily Bingham | ebingham@mlive.com
With more than 12,500 miles of state-designated trails to explore, it's no wonder Michigan has earned the nickname "The Trails State." And, there's no better time to honor our great state's trails, as this week is Michigan Trails Week. To celebrate, we polled MLive readers on their favorite trails across the state, having them rank from a list of the most popular trails, but also allowing write-in candidates. Below are the results (No. 25 through No. 19 were the write-in winners; No. 18 through No. 1 are how readers voted on the list).
Did your favorite trail make the cut? Do you agree with these rankings? Let us know in the comments!
25. Manistee River Trail
This hiking trail moves alongside the eastern edge of the Manistee River for nine miles; it also forms a 23-mile loop with the North Country Trail. More info here
24. Big M Trail
A nearly 40-mile hiking, cross-country ski and single-track mountain bike trail that winds through hilly terrain near Cadillac. More info here
23. Lake of the Clouds Escarpment Trail
A short yet wildly scenic trail in the U.P.'s Porcupine Mountains, this path is less than five miles (point to point) yet dishes up some of the most incredible overlooks anywhere in Michigan. More info here
22. Empire Bluff Trail
This trail is only 1.5 miles round trip, out and back, but the payoff is still huge: A sweeping view of Sleeping Bear Dunes shoreline and, from above, the incredible gradient blues of Lake Michigan. More info here
21. Isle Royale Trails
The trails that wind through this remote, rugged national park in Lake Superior are challenging but, of course, worth it: Stunning views and wildlife abound. More info here
20. Ludington State Park Trails
The trails at this gem of a state park on Michigan's west side wind through a variety of terrain ranging from sand dunes to a series of islands connected by footbridges. More info here
19. DTE Energy Foundation Trail
The overwhelming write-in winner of our best-trails poll was the DTE Trail, located out in the hardwood hills of Waterloo Recreation Area. Built with mountain bikers in mind, the looping system -- still in the works -- will eventually cover more than 20 miles of trail. Loops opened in 2016 and 2017; more loops will continue to open until completion in 2020. More info here
18. Dequindre Cut
A two-mile recreational path in downtown Detroit that showcases some excellent street art and has separate lanes for cyclists and pedestrians. More info here
17. Iron Belle Trail
Said to be the longest state-designated trail system in the entire U.S., the Iron Belle consists of two routes -- one for biking, one for hiking, both more than half finished but not yet complete. When complete, the Iron Belle will link Belle Isle in the Detroit River with the town of Ironwood on the far western edge of the Upper Peninsula. More info here
16. Border-to-Border Trail
A multi-use trail that currently consists of more than 24 miles of paved pathways through Washtenaw County, linking connecting Ypsilanti, Ann Arbor, and Dexter -- much of it running parallel to the Huron River. Continued expansion is in the works. More info here
15. VASA Trail
This looped trail system just outside Traverse City is considered one of the state's best cross-country ski paths, but it is open to mountain biking and hiking as well. More info here
14. Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
A 22-mile paved multi-use trail that will eventually cover more than 35 miles through Kalamazoo County. More info here
13. Detroit RiverWalk
An urban jewel in downtown Detroit, this paved path hugs the city's shoreline along the Detroit River for more than three miles and is open to pedestrians as well as cyclists. More info here
12. Mason Tract Pathway
This nearly 12-mile point-to-point hiking and XC-ski trail winds along portions of the Au Sable River through pristine northern Michigan northwoods near Roscommon. More info here
11. Paint Creek Trail
Located in northern Oakland County, the beloved Paint Creek Trail was Michigan's first rail-to-trail corridor. The trail stretches just shy of nine miles, from Rochester to Lake Orion. More info here
10. TART Trail
A 10-mile urban corridor that winds through Traverse City neighborhoods and along the city's waterfront before linking up to the Leelanau Trail (see No. 7). Along the way it links up with other trails, a state park, a beach and marina, and other amenities. (The name is an acronym for Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation.) More info here
7. Leelanau Trail
Stretching 17 miles from Traverse City to Suttons Bay, the scenic Leelanau Trail winds past meadows, woods, wetlands, vineyards, farms and other lovely spots. A popular biking route, the trail is also maintained in winter for cross-country skiing, winter biking and snowshoeing. More info here
9. Lansing River Trail
More than 20 miles of trail winding through downtown Lansing and Old Town, as well as past several parks. More info here
8. Little Traverse Wheelway
This scenic, mostly paved pathway winds for 26 miles along Little Traverse Bay to link Charlevoix, Petoskey and Harbor Springs, with plenty of parks and panoramic views along the way. More info here
6. Fred Meijer River Valley Trails
This trail system encompasses more than 40 miles of trails across the Lower Peninsula's midsection, as part of the even larger, 125 mile Fred Meijer Mid-Michigan Trail Network. More info here
5. Jordan River Pathway
This 18-mile loop through the stunning Jordan River Valley -- a wild tract of hilly, forested land about 30 miles south of Petoskey -- is popular for weekend backpacking trips. There's a hike-in campground about halfway through the loop; expect lots of scenery and a challenging hike. More info here
4. Potawatomi Trail
This popular mountain biking loop is only about a half-hour drive from Ann Arbor, yet feels a world away. Just shy of 18 miles, with plenty of hills to challenge seasoned riders. More info here
3. Chapel Loop trail, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
Of the more than 90 miles of trails in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, Chapel Loop might be among the best: This 10-mile day-hike winds past waterfalls, weaves through forests, and skirts the dramatic Lake Superior shoreline, offering incredible views all along the way. More info here
2. Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
This 22-mile, mostly paved, multi-use trail winds through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, linking trailheads with attractions like the Dune Climb, historic Port Oneida, and the town of Glen Arbor. More info here
1. North Country National Scenic Trail
With more than 2,000 miles of trail across seven states, the North Country National Scenic Trail is a true American treasure. In Michigan, the trail routes through the entire state, from the Ohio border all the way to Wisconsin -- including over the Mackinac Bridge. Many of the trails in this list are also sections of the North Country Trail. More info here
More stories to enjoy
9 reasons to be grateful for the U.P.
Jaw-dropping places people can't believe are actually in Michigan
The U.P.'s "Grand Canyon" is like nowhere else in Michigan
Torch Lake is Michigan's own slice of the Caribbean
Ad Choices