Expert
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 337 km / 209 mi
- Elevation gain
- 858 m
- Typical duration
- 81 hr
- Mountain
- Waymarked route
- Long-distance path
Best Mountain Hikes in Michigan
The directory currently contains 20 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Michigan. Their average mapped distance is 156 km and average recorded ascent is 374 m (1,227 ft); the longest route in the set is 1872 km.
This subset represents 9% of the 214 quality-checked routes in Michigan. Its average distance is 156 km, compared with 18.3 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 374 m (1,227 ft), versus 72 m (236 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.
These routes carry the mountain tag. Their measured distance and ascent are shown separately so the label is not used as a proxy for difficulty. Within this set, 3 routes (15%) are rated easy, 13 (65%) are rated hard or expert, and 2 (10%) 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
49.6 km
Fox River PathwayCompare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.
Lowest recorded ascent in this sample
125 m
Fox River Pathway6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.
Return logistics
0 recorded loops
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
Expert
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 71.4 km / 44.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 227 m
- Typical duration
- 16 hr
- Mountain
- Forest
- Waymarked route
Expert
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 1872 km / 1163 mi
- Elevation gain
- 2,178 m
- Typical duration
- 449 hr
- Mountain
- Waymarked route
- Long-distance path
Expert
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 150 km / 92.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 308 m
- Typical duration
- 35 hr
- Mountain
- Long-distance path
Expert
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 56.1 km / 34.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 385 m
- Typical duration
- 13 hr
- Mountain
Expert
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 49.6 km / 30.8 mi
- Elevation gain
- 125 m
- Typical duration
- 11 hr
- River
- Mountain
Expert
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 117 km / 72.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 480 m
- Typical duration
- 28 hr
- Mountain
- Long-distance path
Expert
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 89.3 km / 55.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 430 m
- Typical duration
- 21 hr
- Mountain
- Long-distance path
Easy
Expert
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 64.2 km / 39.9 mi
- Elevation gain
- 807 m
- Typical duration
- 16 hr
- Mountain
- Long-distance path
Expert
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 84.5 km / 52.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 450 m
- Typical duration
- 20 hr
- Mountain
- Long-distance path
Expert
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 71.6 km / 44.5 mi
- Elevation gain
- 116 m
- Typical duration
- 16 hr
- Mountain
- Long-distance path
Expert
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 65.5 km / 40.7 mi
- Elevation gain
- 49 m
- Typical duration
- 15 hr
- Mountain
- Long-distance path
Moderate
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 10.7 km / 6.6 mi
- Elevation gain
- 67 m
- Typical duration
- 2 hr 19 min
- Mountain
Moderate
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 0.6 km / 0.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 21 m
- Typical duration
- 9 min
- Mountain
Easy
Moderate
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 14.5 km / 9.0 mi
- Elevation gain
- 302 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 28 min
- Mountain
- Forest
Expert
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 42.5 km / 26.4 mi
- Elevation gain
- 477 m
- Typical duration
- 10 hr
- Mountain
Moderate
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 16.2 km / 10.1 mi
- Elevation gain
- 181 m
- Typical duration
- 3 hr 42 min
- Mountain
Easy
Michigan · United States
- Distance
- 2.1 km / 1.3 mi
- Elevation gain
- 27 m
- Typical duration
- 29 min
- Mountain
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Country National Scenic Trail (WI)Michigan | 337 km | 858 m | 81 hr | Expert | April to October |
| Bay de Noc – Grand Island National Recreation TrailMichigan | 71.4 km | 227 m | 16 hr | Expert | April to October |
| North Country National Scenic Trail (MI)Michigan | 1872 km | 2,178 m | 449 hr | Expert | April to October |
| Nicolet State TrailMichigan | 150 km | 308 m | 35 hr | Expert | April to October |
| Waterloo-Pinckney Hiking TrailMichigan | 56.1 km | 385 m | 13 hr | Expert | April to October |
| Fox River PathwayMichigan | 49.6 km | 125 m | 11 hr | Expert | April to October |
| Fisherman RoadMichigan | 117 km | 480 m | 28 hr | Expert | April to October |
| High Country PathwayMichigan | 89.3 km | 430 m | 21 hr | Expert | April to October |
| Ridge TrailMichigan | 1.3 km | 0 m | 16 min | Easy | April to October |
| Greenstone Ridge TrailMichigan | 64.2 km | 807 m | 16 hr | Expert | April to October |
North Country National Scenic Trail (WI), Bay de Noc – Grand Island National Recreation Trail, North Country National Scenic Trail (MI) 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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