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Hard Hiking Trails in Michigan

The directory currently contains 21 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Michigan. Their average mapped distance is 155 km and average recorded ascent is 398 m (1,306 ft); the longest route in the set is 1872 km.

This subset represents 10% of the 214 quality-checked routes in Michigan. Its average distance is 155 km, compared with 18.3 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 398 m (1,306 ft), versus 72 m (236 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

This set contains routes rated hard or expert from their available distance and elevation measurements. Within this set, 0 routes (0%) are rated easy, 21 (100%) 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

24.9 km

DLT t - New Buffalo to Warren Dunes / Bridgman

Compare the climbing too; shortest does not necessarily mean easiest.

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

81 m

DLT t - New Buffalo to Warren Dunes / Bridgman

6 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

Nicolet National Forest
Expert

Nicolet State Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
150 km
/ 92.9 mi
Elevation gain
308 m
Typical duration
35 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Fox River Pathway

Michigan · United States

Distance
49.6 km
/ 30.8 mi
Elevation gain
125 m
Typical duration
11 hr
  • River
  • Mountain
Expert

Fisherman Road

Michigan · United States

Distance
117 km
/ 72.9 mi
Elevation gain
480 m
Typical duration
28 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

High Country Pathway

Michigan · United States

Distance
89.3 km
/ 55.5 mi
Elevation gain
430 m
Typical duration
21 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Greenstone Ridge Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
64.2 km
/ 39.9 mi
Elevation gain
807 m
Typical duration
16 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Midland to Mackinaw Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
84.5 km
/ 52.5 mi
Elevation gain
450 m
Typical duration
20 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Bergland to Sidnaw Rail-Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
71.6 km
/ 44.5 mi
Elevation gain
116 m
Typical duration
16 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Expert

Iron Belle Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
65.5 km
/ 40.7 mi
Elevation gain
49 m
Typical duration
15 hr
  • Mountain
  • Long-distance path
Hard

Potawatomi Trail (Hike)

Michigan · United States

Distance
29.8 km
/ 18.5 mi
Elevation gain
247 m
Typical duration
7 hr 1 min
Hard

Iron Belle Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
28.5 km
/ 17.7 mi
Elevation gain
386 m
Typical duration
6 hr 56 min
Expert

Minong Ridge Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
42.5 km
/ 26.4 mi
Elevation gain
477 m
Typical duration
10 hr
  • Mountain
Hard

Indian Portage Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
16.6 km
/ 10.3 mi
Elevation gain
241 m
Typical duration
3 hr 52 min
Hard

Triathalon Route

Michigan · United States

Distance
24.4 km
/ 15.2 mi
Elevation gain
223 m
Typical duration
5 hr 43 min

The shortlist, side by side

The ten highest scoring routes on this page, so you can compare effort before opening any of them.

Distance, ascent, walking time and difficulty for the top routes
RouteDistanceAscentTimeDifficultyBest season
North Country National Scenic Trail (WI)Michigan337 km858 m81 hrExpertApril to October
Bay de Noc – Grand Island National Recreation TrailMichigan71.4 km227 m16 hrExpertApril to October
North Country National Scenic Trail (MI)Michigan1872 km2,178 m449 hrExpertApril to October
Nicolet State TrailMichigan150 km308 m35 hrExpertApril to October
Waterloo-Pinckney Hiking TrailMichigan56.1 km385 m13 hrExpertApril to October
DLT t - New Buffalo to Warren Dunes / BridgmanMichigan24.9 km81 m5 hr 37 minHardApril to October
Fox River PathwayMichigan49.6 km125 m11 hrExpertApril to October
Fisherman RoadMichigan117 km480 m28 hrExpertApril to October
Chief Pontiac Trail Conventional HikeMichigan26.5 km211 m6 hr 11 minHardApril to October
High Country PathwayMichigan89.3 km430 m21 hrExpertApril 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.

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