10 of the Best Hiking Trails in Michigan

Michigan is well known as the only state that touches four of the five Great Lakes. The stunning landscape surrounding the state is abundant with natural beauty that can be enjoyed in all four seasons. The diverse terrain attracts people from all around who are looking to discover solace within its forested coastlines. All around Michigan, amazing trails will lead you past waterfalls, under old growth virgin white pines, to isolated beaches and even to an island in the middle of Lake Superior. So get ready to strap on your boots, pack your bags and travel to one, or all, of the 10 best hiking trails in Michigan. 

1. Hogback Mountain

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 3.1 miles

Elevation gain: 564 ft

Route type: There and back

Dog friendly: Yes

Hogback Mountain is located near Marquette, MI and offers a beautifully scenic hike. The narrow trails lead you through dense hemlock forests and rocky fields until you reach a nearly vertical rock face that calls for quite the workout to the top. Once you’ve made it to the zenith you’ll be rewarded with a colorful panoramic view of the vast forests and endless blue hues of Lake Superior. This prominent peak is a must visit.

2. Presque Isle Park

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 2.3 miles

Elevation gain: 127 ft

Route type: Loop

Dog friendly: Yes

Presque Isle Park Loop Trail provides hikers with a bit of everything. The path is level, well-maintained and brings you through a thick forest near Lake Superior. This is a beautiful trail where you'll see plenty of wildflowers and a variety of bird species. Presque Isle Park is an easy hike for anybody who’s near Marquette!

3. Mosquito and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 10.2 miles

Elevation gain: 754 ft

Route type: Loop

Dog friendly: No

Chapel Loop, located in Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, takes you on a gorgeous journey through a tranquil forest, along the cliff edge of Lake Superior and to two different waterfalls. The hike ends at a beautiful, scenic beach. The full loop is 10.2 miles round-trip, but there are many offshoots that will take you in a certain direction more quickly. The views are nothing short of amazing from the top of the sandstone cliffs! A quick tip: The best time to hike this loop is when the weather is warm, so you can jump in the refreshing water at the end of your trip. 

4. Greenstone Ridge Trail - Isle Royale 

Difficulty: Hard

Length: 39.5 miles

Elevation gain: 3,992 ft

Route type: Point to point

Dog friendly: No

Greenstone Ridge Trail is located in Isle Royale National Park, which is an island in Lake Superior. To access the island you’ll have to take a ferry from Windigo, MI to Tobin Harbor. Greenstone Ridge Trail is a strenuous hike that connects the island from point to point. This hike is truly meant for an overnight backpacking adventure. If you are looking for a unique experience in Michigan, then this trail is a great chance to enjoy sweeping landscapes, pine forests, and abundant wildlife. 

5.  Big Carp River Trail

Difficulty: Hard

Length: 16.2 miles

Elevation gain: 1,423 ft

Route type: There and back

Dog friendly: Yes

Big Carp River Trail is located in Michigan’s largest and most remote state park; Porcupine Mountains. The trail travels upward from the Lake Superior shore into a grand valley near Lake of the Clouds. The full hike would take almost an entire day, and many people choose to take at least two days backpacking this route. This is a great hike if you’d like to be completely immersed within a vibrant forest and among a rushing river where you can fish, meditate or simply observe the beauty of life. 

6. Mackinac Island Outer Loop

Difficulty: Easy

Length: 8 miles

Elevation gain: 88 ft

Route type: Loop

Dog friendly: Yes

Mackinac Island is located in Lake Huron, between Michigan's Upper and Lower peninsulas. On the outer banks of the island is an attractive 8-mile loop that encompasses the entire island. The best part about this fully paved trail is that there are no motorized vehicles allowed. This is a great place to enjoy a hike or bike around a historic island. The best way to arrive at the island is at the ferry docks from either Mackinaw City or St. Ignace. 

7.  AuSable River Trail

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 3.2 miles

Elevation gain: 88 ft

Route type: Loop

Dog friendly: Yes

AuSable River Trail is an easy, 3.2-mile hike that takes you past brilliant Bright Lake in Hartwick Pines State Park. This trail offers an amazing opportunity to walk among ancient virgin white pines. These pines are rather rare to find and some are as old as 400 years. The entire forest was nearly annihilated by lumberjacks in the 19th century, but after an economic collapse the lumber company shut down, and the forest has been protected ever since. 

8.  Saugatuck Dunes South Trail

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 5.2 miles

Elevation gain: 475 ft

Route type: Loop

Dog friendly: Yes

Saugatuck Dunes State Park, located on the shoreline of Lake Michigan, is a great location for a plethora of outdoor activities. The South Trail takes you through a lush forest and ends on the sandy shorelines of the lake. There are many different trails that branch off in different directions that you can explore for hours. This area is great for bird watching, hiking, or just having a relaxing day at the beach. 

9. Upper and Lower Tahquamenon Falls

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 10.2 miles

Elevation gain: 636 ft

Route type: There and back

Dog friendly: Yes

This 10.2-mile trail along the Tahquamenon River connects the Upper and Lower Falls for one of Michigan's best river hikes. It's a winding path that descends below river level and then climbs back up through dense forest and flora multiple times. For those who do not want to go as far, there is a 0.3-mile trail that is largely a steep slope on stairs leading down to the Upper Falls. The Upper Falls drops more than 50 feet, while the Lower Falls contains five smaller falls that flow around an island. The water has a distinctive “root beer” color that is caused by tannins from nearby trees. 

10. Waterloo-Pinckney Trail

Difficulty: Moderate

Length: 33.8 miles

Elevation gain: 2,312 ft

Route type: Point to point

Dog Friendly: Yes

Waterloo-Pinckney Trail, located in southeast Michigan, is a beautiful path that takes you from one end of Waterloo State Recreation Area to the other. At any time along this hike, you may encounter lakes, vibrant wildflowers, and plenty of wildlife. The entire trail spans over 30 miles which offers visitors plenty of space to explore. The proximity of this trail is perfect for those who wish to stay near major population centers while being surrounded by nature. Take this hike for a peaceful weekend getaway that you won’t regret. Just remember to bring plenty of water, or a filter, as sources are scarce. 

Whether you want an hour-long getaway or a week long adventure, hiking in Michigan is an unforgettable experience. Each trail offers a unique setting, from rivers and old growth forests to sandy beaches and islands. With four seasons worth of exploring, It’s difficult for any adventurer to get bored in this outdoor-lovers state. Enjoy the Great Lakes State of Michigan!