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.

For more information on the North Country Trail, please contact:

North Country Trail Association

229 E. Main St., Lowell, MI, 49331

(866) HIKE-NCT

northcountrytrail.org

Advertisement – Please scroll below for more information.

Activities & Attractions in Northern Michigan

Beaver Island

Beaver Island Up North

Beaver Island is located 32 miles offshore of Charlevoix, Michigan and is the largest island in Lake Michigan.

Maple Syrup Time

Maple Syrup Season

Spring brings lots of outdoor activities to Northern Michigan but one often ends up on pancakes: making maple syrup.

Harbor Springs History Museum

Museums in Northern Michigan

Northern Michigan is home to several different museums for people of all ages which highlight the area’s businesses, history, and culture!

Cheboygan Opera House

Cheboygan Opera House

The elegantly restored Cheboygan Opera House is an acoustically superb, Victorian theatre that presents entertainment of many genres.