The Best Hikes in the Upper Peninsula

Here you will find our hiking guide for the best hikes in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This is a long-term project and hikes will be added periodically as they are mapped and written. The hikes that make the list are ones we believe are must-dos in the area – highlighting waterfalls, lakeshore walks, breathtaking vistas, quiet woodlands, and gorgeous inland lakes.

Each listed hike has directions to the trailhead, hiking ques, a printable map, and downloadable GPS tracks to use with your smartphone or GPS device.

Difficulty Ratings

Each hike is given the following difficulty ratings depending on mileage, elevation gain, trail surface and navigation ease.

Easy – relatively flat, easy to follow trail, up to 3 miles in length

Moderate – may contain uneven trail surface and/or moderate elevation gain, distance is between 3-8 miles in length

Challenging – may contain uneven trail surface, moderate elevation gain, and/or navigation challenges, distance of 8 miles or more

When to Hike

The best times to hike the trails in the UP are between Mid-May and Mid-October (snow out, to snow in). Bugs in the UP are worst in June and July, and start tapering off around mid-August. During bug season be prepared with bug spray, long pants and shirt, and a head net (to keep your sanity). Peak fall foliage ranges from the last two weeks of September to the first or second week of October. All the hikes listed here can also be snowshoed if your are looking for a winter adventure, but keep in mind some parking locations may need to be altered depending on road access.

Safety

Ensure you have the 10 essentials before heading out on the trail. Keep yourself and your group safe by familiarizing yourself with the National Park Service’s recommendations at the link below. Let a friend of family member know where you are going and when you plan to be back.

The Ten Essentials (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Have a Great Hike!

Please send us an e-mail at hiawathahikes@gmail.com if you have any questions or comments. If trail conditions have changed let us know so we can update our resources. Have fun!

If you are looking for a guided experience, check out our Pictured Rocks Backpacking Trips or Sunset Hike.

Additional Resources:

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore – National Park Service

North Country National Scenic Trail

Munising Bay Trail Network

Noquemanon Trail Network (Marquette)

The Hikes

Hike	Area	Distance (mi)	Difficulty
Laughing Whitefish Falls/ Subway	Alger County	1.2-6	Easy/ Moderate
Echo Lake	Marquette	2.5	Easy/ Moderate
Sugarloaf Mountain	Marquette	0.9	Easy/ Moderate
Little Garlic River and Falls	Marquette	8	Moderate
Mount Marquette	Marquette	3	Moderate
Hogback Mountain	Marquette	3.5	Challenging
Presque Isle	Marquette	2.4	Easy
Bulldog Falls	McCormick Wilderness	5.5	Moderate/ Challenging

*Hiawatha Hiking Company provides these maps and resources for free using open source software. Those utilizing these hiking resources do so at their own risk. Any damages due to the use of these resources is not the liability of Hiawatha Hiking Company, LLC

      
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   Jeremy Hunt 
 2022-01-31
 
 
   Had the pleasure to join the Intermediate Backpacking Trip in Sept. 2021. Months before the trip Domonick and Carolyn met with us individually to go over the trip and preparations. They took the time to meet again with the entire group ahead of the trip to go over last minute items to ensure we are all set. From the beginning, their preparation and professionalism was top notch and it carried through the whole trip. They made sure everyone was comfortable throughout out the trip and everyone in the group had a great time. Domonick and Carolyn are extremely knowledgeable, prepared and all around great people. We had such a great experience and would love to join them again some day. If you are heading toward Pictured Rocks and want a great experience they should be the only ones you call!
  
 
 
       
   Jamie Davies O'Leary 
 2021-10-27
 
 
   This was my first backpacking tour and Carolyn and Domonick were excellent guides! They emphasized safety and planning - from months before the trip through the last day's details - and renting their equipment made things much easier as a newbie. They were responsive to my questions beforehand and helped me and my group have such an amazing time. Dinners were excellent! I also loved hearing about their travels and what they've learned being on various trails.
  
 
 
       
   paul rusch 
 2021-10-07
 
 
   Went on a 2 night backpack trip the first weekend of October. The trip was wonderful, the colors were about 90%. The only complaint was that my 66 year old body had a hard time sleeping in a tent. Dominique and Carolyn were great. They tended to our safety, training was good, kept up an appropriate pace, provided help when needed, had a good menu and stops at great views. It was great and I am very glad that I did it.
  
 
 
       
   Christine Artes 
 2021-09-13
 
 
   Did the beginner hike over Labor Day and OMG, this was amazing! From the moment you arrive you're well taken care of with food, gear, instructions and safety from the dynamic duo that is Domonick and Carolyn. They both know this area and this trail like the back of their hands!  Every detail was spot on and never once did we feel unsafe. You can rent all of the necessary gear and it is top notch! All food...REAL food is provided and the water that we drank and cooked with was filtered straight outta Lake Superior!!! So cool!
If you're thinking about doing a guided hike to see PR's, this really is the only company that you should book with.  No one else compares!
  
 
 
       
   KAREN WHITAKER 
 2021-09-08
 
 
   The beginning backpacking trip was amazing from start to finish.  Hiawatha is very organized,, they provided training advice to prepare,  the food was good, and guides Carolyn and Domonick are not only extremely experienced hikers and campers, they are wonderful people.  I would definitely recommend them to anyone looking for a guided hiking experience.
  
 
 
       
   Richard Clark 
 2021-08-26
 
 
   Carolyn and Domonick were awesome! I could not have asked for a better first-time backpacking experience. All I had to do was show up with my list of everyday items, they provided the rest. Carolyn and Domonick helped with tent setup/takedown, filtered water, prepped meals and snacks, and provide moral support. The views are breathtaking.  The hike is challenging but very doable. You are not rushed. The camaraderie between fellow hikers, Carolyn, and Domonick is something I will cherish forever. If you ever were apprehensive about backpacking, Hiawatha Hiking Company is the company to use and their Intro to Backpacking tour along Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is the tour to take.
  
 
 
       
   Catherine Toms 
 2021-08-25
 
 
   We had an absolutely wonderful experience! Carolyn and Domonick are incredibly kind, professional, and thoughtful guides. They thought of everything for our trip, and we were safe and well-fed. Every aspect of the hike was planned perfectly. They know the trails well, and led us to some of the most beautiful places in our country. Thank you Hiawatha Hiking Company!
  
 
 
       
   Jeri Rodriguez 
 2021-08-25
 
 
   I thoroughly enjoyed this experience. The hospitality provided from the minute I arrived until the minute I drove away was incredible.
  
 
 
       
   Sarah Shields 
 2021-07-17
 
 
   We had a great time on a sunset hike with Carolyn and Dominick on our last night in the UP! It was a terrific way to end our vacation. They were organized, well-prepared and very knowledgeable. They shared a lot of information about the Pictured Rocks and Lake Superior, as well as the surrounding area. Their pleasant demeanor made for easy conversation on the hike. It was not quite 3 miles and except for one short stretch at the beginning, mostly flat, so very manageable for inexperienced hikers. We stopped several times for beautiful photos, and then sat and watched the sunset together complete with hot chocolate and sweet treats they provided! We loved getting to see the cliffs from above - a perfect complement to the boat tour we took earlier. We highly recommend the sunset hike!
  
 
 
       
   Maria Thomas 
 2021-07-02
 
 
   Carolyn and Domonick are terrific, and the personalized sunset hike they organized for us was stunning.  The hike was punctuated with quick stops and informative commentary about geology and area history.  Every minute seemed ideal for a pause or a photo, from the first vista to last rays of sunlight,  The adventure was made more precious because they agreed to guide us on the sunset walk on a day they don't normally lead hikes. They are personable and knowledgeable nature enthusiasts who clearly love the magnificent beauty of Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and the surrounding area.  Don't miss this opportunity.
  
 
 
  
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