Photo by Travel Marquette

Hike and Bike the North Country Trail

A trail that stretches from North Dakota to New York. Sound intriguing. It should be because this trail, the North Country Trail, passes through Northern Michigan.

The longest hiking trail in the U.S. is managed by the National Park Service and passes through 10 National Forests. It was created in 1980 and may have more pastys per mile than any other national trail!

The trail enters Northern Michigan from the Upper Peninsula and goes through Mackinaw City before entering Wilderness State Park, where it follows the Lake Michigan shoreline. Heading south, the route passes north of Harbor Springs and through Petoskey, Mackinaw State Forest and Pere Marquette State Forest before reaching Manistee National Forest, south of Traverse City. The North Country Trail section from Mackinaw City to Petoskey is 46 miles long.

The trail is perfect for hiking, some camping, cross country skiing and snowshoeing, and mountain biking. The terrain varies from flat to rolling with scenic vistas. All four seasons offer beauty along this trail.

In Emmet County, the trail is managed by the Harbor Springs chapter of the North Country Trail. Maps can be found at the Petoskey Regional Chamber of Commerce or Harbor Springs Area Chamber of Commerce.