How many loop hikes are listed near Midland?

13 routes currently meet both this guide’s filter and the directory quality gate. Each submitted route has a traceable source, mapped geometry and sampled elevation data.

What is the average distance and ascent?

The average mapped distance is 1.8 km with 4 m (13 ft) of recorded ascent. The longest route in this set is 4.6 km.

How are the routes ordered?

River Trail currently ranks first. Ordering uses the directory score and route-data completeness; it is not a claim that editors have field-tested every route.

Does an easy rating mean beginner-safe?

13 routes in this set are rated easy from distance and elevation measurements. The model does not verify exposure, surface, crossings, closures or current weather, so confirm those separately.

Loop Trails near Midland

The directory currently contains 13 quality-checked routes matching this guide near Midland. Their average mapped distance is 1.8 km and average recorded ascent is 4 m (13 ft); the longest route in the set is 4.6 km.

This subset represents 72% of the 18 quality-checked routes near Midland.

Every route in this set is classified as a loop and returns to its starting area. A loop can still reuse part of the same path. Within this set, 13 routes (100%) are rated easy, 0 (0%) are rated hard or expert, and 13 (100%) 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

0.5 km

Arbury Trail

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

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

0 m

Arbury Trail

6 of 6 have ascent data. Missing measurements are excluded.

Return logistics

6 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.

Easy

River Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance: 4.6 km
Elevation gain: 6 m
Typical duration: 58 min

River
Waymarked route

Easy

Arbury Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance: 0.5 km
Typical duration: 7 min

Waymarked route

Easy

Sugar Bush Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance: 1.0 km
Typical duration: 13 min

Waymarked route

Easy

Ridge Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance: 1.3 km
Typical duration: 16 min

Mountain

Easy

Wetlands Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance: 2.6 km
Typical duration: 33 min

Easy

Meadow Mouse Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance: 0.8 km
Typical duration: 9 min

Alpine meadow

Easy

Field Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance: 1.5 km
Typical duration: 19 min

Easy

Mud Creek Loop

Michigan · United States

Distance: 1.6 km
Elevation gain: 7 m
Typical duration: 20 min

River

Easy

Salt River Loop

Michigan · United States

Distance: 1.1 km
Elevation gain: 8 m
Typical duration: 14 min

River

Easy

Elliott's Loop

Michigan · United States

Distance: 2.4 km
Elevation gain: 6 m
Typical duration: 30 min

Easy

Loggers Flats

Michigan · United States

Distance: 1.8 km
Elevation gain: 9 m
Typical duration: 23 min

Easy

Oxbow Flat

Michigan · United States

Distance: 0.7 km
Typical duration: 9 min

Easy

Skating Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance: 3.5 km
Elevation gain: 12 m
Typical duration: 45 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
Route	Distance	Ascent	Time	Difficulty	Best season
River TrailMichigan	4.6 km	6 m	58 min	Easy	April to October
Arbury TrailMichigan	0.5 km	0 m	7 min	Easy	April to October
Sugar Bush TrailMichigan	1.0 km	0 m	13 min	Easy	April to October
Ridge TrailMichigan	1.3 km	0 m	16 min	Easy	April to October
Wetlands TrailMichigan	2.6 km	0 m	33 min	Easy	April to October
Meadow Mouse TrailMichigan	0.8 km	0 m	9 min	Easy	April to October
Field TrailMichigan	1.5 km	0 m	19 min	Easy	April to October
Mud Creek LoopMichigan	1.6 km	7 m	20 min	Easy	April to October
Salt River LoopMichigan	1.1 km	8 m	14 min	Easy	April to October
Elliott's LoopMichigan	2.4 km	6 m	30 min	Easy	April to October

River Trail, Arbury Trail, Sugar Bush Trail 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

Other shortlists covering the same area or the same kind of terrain.

How do these routes differ?

Shortest mapped distance in this sample

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

Return logistics

Trails

The shortlist, side by side

Frequently asked questions

How many loop hikes are listed near Midland?

What is the average distance and ascent?

How are the routes ordered?

Does an easy rating mean beginner-safe?

Plan with more confidence

How to choose a hike beyond the difficulty label

Read an elevation profile without misreading the climb

Build a hiking time plan with room for your own pace

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