Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 2.1 km / 1.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 13 m
- Typical duration
- 28 min
- Lake
- River
- Wildlife watching
Best Lake Hikes in Michigan
The directory currently contains 23 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Michigan. Their average mapped distance is 5.0 km and average recorded ascent is 35 m (115 ft); the longest route in the set is 15.2 km.
This subset represents 11% of the 214 quality-checked routes in Michigan. Its average distance is 5.0 km, compared with 18.3 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 35 m (115 ft), versus 72 m (236 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.
Every route in this set carries a lake tag in the directory. Whether the mapped line reaches the shore and whether swimming is allowed must be checked locally. Within this set, 18 routes (78%) are rated easy, 0 (0%) are rated hard or expert, and 6 (26%) are recorded as loops. Ratings are computed from available distance and elevation data and do not establish current terrain or access.
Data refreshed September 2026
Choose by the details
How do these routes differ?
A closer look at the first 6 routes in this page’s default ordering. These comparisons describe this sample, not the entire destination or a field-tested recommendation.
Shortest mapped distance in this sample
2.1 km
Lost Lake Loop EastCompare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.
Lowest recorded ascent in this sample
0 m
Bass Lake Loop (Platte Plains)6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.
Return logistics
1 recorded loop
Check start and finish for every option. An unknown shape does not mean a loop, and a loop does not establish access to its start.
Plan the return journey →Distances follow stored route lines; ascent and time are estimates. Current access, surface and technical difficulty need separate checks. How to turn a comparison into a shortlist.
Trails
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 2.5 km / 1.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 13 m
- Typical duration
- 32 min
- Lake
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 2.1 km / 1.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 20 m
- Typical duration
- 28 min
- Lake
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 5.7 km / 3.5 mi
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 11 min
- Lake
Moderate
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 11.1 km / 6.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 25 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 21 min
- Lake
- Waymarked route
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 3.9 km / 2.4 mi
- Typical duration
- 48 min
- Lake
- Alpine meadow
Moderate
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 15.2 km / 9.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 150 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 24 min
- Lake
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 5.9 km / 3.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 15 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 15 min
- Lake
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 4.0 km / 2.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 26 m
- Typical duration
- 53 min
- Lake
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 6.3 km / 3.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 94 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 28 min
- Lake
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 5.0 km / 3.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 67 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 8 min
- Lake
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 3.3 km / 2.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 62 m
- Typical duration
- 46 min
- Lake
Moderate
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 0.8 km / 0.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 54 m
- Typical duration
- 15 min
- Lake
- Panoramic viewpoint
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 6.0 km / 3.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 20 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 17 min
- Lake
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 1.2 km / 0.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 6 m
- Typical duration
- 15 min
- Lake
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 0.5 km / 0.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 6 m
- Typical duration
- 7 min
- Lake
Moderate
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 9.0 km / 5.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 133 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 5 min
- Lake
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 6.7 km / 4.2 mi
- Elevation gain
- 40 m
- Typical duration
- 1 hr 27 min
- Lake
Easy
Easy
Moderate
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 13.6 km / 8.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 36 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 54 min
- Lake
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 3.0 km / 1.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 33 m
- Typical duration
- 40 min
- Lake
Easy
The shortlist, side by side
The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.
| Route | Distance | Ascent | Time | Difficulty | Best season |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake LoopMichigan | 2.1 km | 13 m | 28 min | Easy | April to October |
| Harbor WalkMichigan | 2.5 km | 13 m | 32 min | Easy | April to October |
| Lost Lake Loop EastMichigan | 2.1 km | 20 m | 28 min | Easy | April to October |
| Bass Lake Loop (Platte Plains)Michigan | 5.7 km | 0 m | 1 hr 11 min | Easy | April to October |
| Fife Lake TrailMichigan | 11.1 km | 25 m | 2 hr 21 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Lake Plain Prairie TrailMichigan | 3.9 km | 0 m | 48 min | Easy | April to October |
| Feldtmann Lake TrailMichigan | 15.2 km | 150 m | 3 hr 24 min | Moderate | April to October |
| Lake Lansing North BlueMichigan | 5.9 km | 15 m | 1 hr 15 min | Easy | April to October |
| Buhl Lake LoopMichigan | 4.0 km | 26 m | 53 min | Easy | April to October |
| Crooked Lake Trail (Hike)Michigan | 6.3 km | 94 m | 1 hr 28 min | Easy | April to October |
Lake Loop, Lost Lake Loop East, Harbor Walk currently rank highest in this filtered set according to the directory score. Open an individual route to inspect its mapped line, elevation profile, data source and planning caveats. Check live access, conditions and local rules with an official source before travelling.
Frequently asked questions
Plan with more confidence
All planning articles →Choosing a route
How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label
Compare distance, climbing, route shape and missing information to build a shortlist that fits your day.
Read article →Understanding the map
Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb
Understand total ascent, net height change, profile scale and the section breakdown on each mapped route.
Read article →Planning your day
Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace
Separate moving time, climbing allowance and stops, then explore how changing your assumptions changes the plan.
Read article →Related guides
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