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Moderate Hiking Trails in Michigan

The directory currently contains 48 quality-checked routes matching this guide in Michigan. Their average mapped distance is 7.1 km and average recorded ascent is 105 m (344 ft); the longest route in the set is 17.7 km.

This subset represents 22% of the 214 quality-checked routes in Michigan. Its average distance is 7.1 km, compared with 18.3 km across the full local set. Average recorded ascent is 105 m (344 ft), versus 72 m (236 ft) for all quality-checked routes in the same area.

Every route in this set is rated moderate by the directory’s distance-and-elevation model. Technical terrain and live conditions are not part of that rating. Within this set, 0 routes (0%) are rated easy, 0 (0%) are rated hard or expert, and 9 (19%) 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

Der We Went

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

Lowest recorded ascent in this sample

15 m

Northwoods Trail

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

Return logistics

2 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

Moderate

Northwoods Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
15 m
Typical duration
22 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Cliff View Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
1.5 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
37 m
Typical duration
22 min
  • Coastal
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Here We Go

Michigan · United States

Distance
1.3 km
/ 0.8 mi
Elevation gain
82 m
Typical duration
23 min
Moderate

Der We Went

Michigan · United States

Distance
0.5 km
/ 0.3 mi
Elevation gain
34 m
Typical duration
9 min
Moderate

Fishtown Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
1.5 km
/ 1.0 mi
Elevation gain
62 m
Typical duration
25 min
Moderate

Hike-Bike Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
12.3 km
/ 7.7 mi
Elevation gain
55 m
Typical duration
2 hr 39 min
Moderate

East Ridge Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
21 m
Typical duration
9 min
  • Mountain
Warren Dunes from the Beach
Moderate

Warren Dunes Foot Trails

Michigan · United States

Distance
7.7 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
159 m
Typical duration
1 hr 51 min
  • Desert
Sleeping Bear dunes from Empire Bluffs
Moderate

Empire Bluff Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
1.4 km
/ 0.9 mi
Elevation gain
42 m
Typical duration
21 min
Moderate

No Name Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
2.0 km
/ 1.2 mi
Elevation gain
115 m
Typical duration
35 min
Gogebic Ridge Trail Rock bluff along the Gogebic Ridge hiking trail, between M64 and Old M64. Ottawa National Forest. Ontonagon County, ichigan. Photo taken May 8, 2005.
Moderate

Gogebic Ridge Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
14.5 km
/ 9.0 mi
Elevation gain
302 m
Typical duration
3 hr 28 min
  • Mountain
  • Forest
A narrow boardwalk on the hiking trail from Daisy Farm Campground up to Mt. Ojibway on the Greenstone Ridge at Isle Royale National Park. I'm not sure if this wetland is an actual body of water or stream, but it's right next to Lake Ojibway
Moderate

Mount Ojibway Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
2.8 km
/ 1.7 mi
Elevation gain
205 m
Typical duration
53 min
A camping shelter nestled in the woods along the Lake Superior shoreline at Isle Royale National Park's Daisy Farm Campground. There was an unexpected thunderstorm my night here, and I was very pleased to call this home instead of a tiny on
Moderate

Daisy Farm Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
2.8 km
/ 1.8 mi
Elevation gain
16 m
Typical duration
37 min
The National Park Service vessel Ranger III has just left the headquarters dock and is heading for Rock Harbor. Scenes of Mott Island, home of the Isle Royale National Park headquarters, as seen from the tour ship Sandy.
Moderate

Rock Harbor Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
16.6 km
/ 10.3 mi
Elevation gain
104 m
Typical duration
3 hr 40 min
Bulk carrier Bluewing on the Detroit River, shot from Belle Isle. Summer 2005.
Moderate

Iron Belle Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
17.7 km
/ 11.0 mi
Elevation gain
19 m
Typical duration
3 hr 48 min
Moderate

Bare Bluff Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
8.0 km
/ 4.9 mi
Elevation gain
573 m
Typical duration
2 hr 31 min
Moderate

Hearty Hiker Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
4.8 km
/ 3.0 mi
Elevation gain
157 m
Typical duration
1 hr 14 min
Moderate

Top of Hill Hike

Michigan · United States

Distance
0.6 km
/ 0.4 mi
Elevation gain
117 m
Typical duration
18 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

The Link

Michigan · United States

Distance
11.0 km
/ 6.8 mi
Elevation gain
73 m
Typical duration
2 hr 24 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Fife Lake Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
11.1 km
/ 6.9 mi
Elevation gain
25 m
Typical duration
2 hr 21 min
  • Lake
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Avalanche Hiking Trails

Michigan · United States

Distance
5.8 km
/ 3.6 mi
Elevation gain
249 m
Typical duration
1 hr 36 min
Moderate

Bay View Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
10.9 km
/ 6.8 mi
Elevation gain
244 m
Typical duration
2 hr 39 min
Moderate

Feldtmann Lake Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
15.2 km
/ 9.5 mi
Elevation gain
150 m
Typical duration
3 hr 24 min
  • Lake
Moderate

Gratiot Lake Overlook Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
0.8 km
/ 0.5 mi
Elevation gain
54 m
Typical duration
15 min
  • Lake
  • Panoramic viewpoint
Moderate

Feldtmann Ridge Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
16.2 km
/ 10.1 mi
Elevation gain
181 m
Typical duration
3 hr 42 min
  • Mountain
Moderate

Hunnigan Cove Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
10.8 km
/ 6.7 mi
Elevation gain
237 m
Typical duration
2 hr 36 min
Moderate

Kettles Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
3.3 km
/ 2.1 mi
Elevation gain
148 m
Typical duration
55 min
Moderate

Pyramid Point Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
3.5 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
128 m
Typical duration
55 min
Moderate

Windy Moraine Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
2.3 km
/ 1.4 mi
Elevation gain
73 m
Typical duration
35 min
Moderate

Algonquin Pathway

Michigan · United States

Distance
13.9 km
/ 8.7 mi
Typical duration
2 hr 54 min
Moderate

Upland Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
1.7 km
/ 1.1 mi
Elevation gain
21 m
Typical duration
23 min
Moderate

Gerber Blue Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
7.8 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
40 m
Typical duration
1 hr 41 min
  • Waymarked route
Moderate

Lake Mary Plains Pathway

Michigan · United States

Distance
13.6 km
/ 8.5 mi
Elevation gain
36 m
Typical duration
2 hr 54 min
  • Lake
Moderate

Calhoun County Trailway

Michigan · United States

Distance
8.8 km
/ 5.5 mi
Elevation gain
41 m
Typical duration
1 hr 54 min
  • River
Moderate

Ishpeming Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
11.6 km
/ 7.2 mi
Elevation gain
277 m
Typical duration
2 hr 50 min
Moderate

Island Mine Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
7.7 km
/ 4.8 mi
Elevation gain
37 m
Typical duration
1 hr 39 min
Moderate

Lane Cove Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
3.6 km
/ 2.2 mi
Elevation gain
26 m
Typical duration
47 min
Moderate

East Huginnin Cove Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
5.0 km
/ 3.1 mi
Elevation gain
121 m
Typical duration
1 hr 14 min
Moderate

Blue Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
13.7 km
/ 8.5 mi
Elevation gain
117 m
Typical duration
3 hr 1 min
Moderate

Lepard Preserve Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
1.1 km
/ 0.7 mi
Elevation gain
19 m
Typical duration
16 min
Moderate

Orange Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
8.0 km
/ 5.0 mi
Elevation gain
113 m
Typical duration
1 hr 50 min
Moderate

Red Trail

Michigan · United States

Distance
7.6 km
/ 4.7 mi
Elevation gain
80 m
Typical duration
1 hr 42 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
Northwoods TrailMichigan1.7 km15 m22 minModerateApril to October
Cliff View TrailMichigan1.5 km37 m22 minModerateApril to October
Here We GoMichigan1.3 km82 m23 minModerateApril to October
Der We WentMichigan0.5 km34 m9 minModerateApril to October
Fishtown TrailMichigan1.5 km62 m25 minModerateApril to October
Hike-Bike TrailMichigan12.3 km55 m2 hr 39 minModerateApril to October
Lasso Loop (Platte Plains)Michigan17.3 km27 m3 hr 43 minModerateApril to October
Bald Mountain-South Unit TrailsMichigan10.7 km67 m2 hr 19 minModerateApril to October
East Ridge TrailMichigan0.6 km21 m9 minModerateApril to October
Warren Dunes Foot TrailsMichigan7.7 km159 m1 hr 51 minModerateApril to October

Northwoods Trail, Here We Go, Lasso Loop (Platte Plains) 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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