THE NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL HIAWATHA SHORE-TO-SHORE CHAPTER  begins at the south end of the Mackinac Bridge and encompasses Straits State Park, St. Ignace (our Trail Town), the Hiawatha National Forest and north to Whitefish Bay. It passes through Tahquamenon Falls State Park before it turns north again to Lake Superior and the mouth of the Two Hearted River. This portion of the NCT is uniquely composed almost entirely of true foot trail through remote forests free of commercial establishments. You must hike over 80 miles from St. Ignace before you reach the first restaurant (the Silver Creek Grill and Pub) near Whitefish Bay. The next businesses are 20 and 25 miles up the trail; a summer camp-store at the Lower Tahquamenon Falls, and finally a brewery (Tahquamenon Falls Brewery & Pub) at the Upper Tahquamenon Falls. To learn more about this section of the NCT and to keep up-to-date on trail alerts, visit the North Country Trail Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore website.

THE HIAWATHA NATIONAL FOREST contains hundreds of miles of some of the best trails in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. These trails take you on delightful tours of the northwoods – to remote lakes and streams where you may catch a glimpse of a loon, a soaring bald eagle, or simply to spend a day in the vast expanse of the forest. The portion of the Hiawatha National Forest found along the US-2 byway is the St. Ignace Ranger district and is located on the lower half of the east side of the forest. From the intersection of US-2 and I-75 in St. Ignace drive west about 5 miles. The driveway to the office is on the right (north).

MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES has an abundance of outdoor opportunities on trails around the state – they have everything you need to plan your next Michigan trail excursion. There are more than 12,500 miles of Michigan Department of Natural Resources designated trails and pathways in our state, making Michigan home to one of the largest, interconnected trail systems in the country. This inviting network – and the associated quality of life, health and economic benefits it offers – is fueling Michigan’s drive to be known nationally as “The Trails State.”  Get out and discover all the Trail State has to offer while soaking up some sunshine. Michigan’s trails have something for everyone to enjoy.

UP NORTH TRAILS makes it easy to discover trails that suit your needs, read about the trail systems, view photos, submit trail reviews, and click on trail segments to find out even more. Don’t forget to light up Points of Interest and Nearby Trails to discover amazing things to see and do around your chosen trail. Check out the vast network of trails is just a click away.