The arrival of a new year always brings plenty of fun and excitement, but it can also leave us feeling stressed as we look upon the coming months. Never fear: Michigan offers plenty of outdoor destinations that will allow you to unwind and to reconnect with nature while mentally preparing for the year ahead. Here are seven wonderfully peaceful hikes to explore throughout the Great Lakes State! Even better, you can hike these any time you need to recharge, no matter the time of the year. If you’re hiking in the cold-weather months, however, make sure to bring along your favorite winter hiking essentials!
- Wolters Woods Trail
Google Reviews/Cruz Nunez This is the perfect place to appreciate the beauty of nature while taking a leisurely hike. Whether you opt to walk solo or alongside loved ones, you’ll enjoy plenty of forested splendor at Wolters Woods, which is comprised of 34 acres and features a small playground for children to enjoy. By the time you’re through here, you’ll certainly feel more peaceful. 6281 147th Ave, Holland, MI 49423, USA
- Carpenter Lake Nature Preserve
Google Reviews/Damian Rodrigo Olivera Bergallo This Southfield gem will soothe the senses as you explore its many delights, including multiple nature trails that allow for plenty of reflective hiking. Stroll through woodlands, wetlands, and more as you bask in the fresh air and appreciate viewing platforms along Carpenter Lake itself. Stress is sure to melt away as you uncover the many wonders of this preserve. 27101-27215 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48033, USA
- Cascade Peace Park Trail
Google Reviews/Jen Pastyrnak This awesome spot has “peace” right in its name, so how could we exclude it from our list of peaceful hikes? When you stop at the Cascade Peace Park Trail, you’ll enjoy 2.7 miles of pure natural bliss. The park itself is large, with 198 acres to explore, but the trail loop will show you some of the area’s highlights while allowing for glimpses of wildlife and gorgeous scenery. Dogs are allowed here, so long as they are leashed. 8900 Grand River Dr SE, Ada, MI 49301, USA
- Boardman Lake Trail
Traverse Trails As its name suggests, this Traverse City trail offers access to the calm beauty of Boardman Lake itself. When you opt to walk along this three-mile path, you’ll notice a sense of serenity that sets it apart from other hiking spots in the region. The trail winds through plenty of natural areas, but it also offers easy access to a public library and other manmade delights. What’s not to love? Boardman Lake Trail, Boardman Lake trail, Traverse City, MI, USA
- Anderson Nature Park Trail
AllTrails/Jennifer Grivins Stroll alongside a lovely river as you enjoy the sights and sounds of Anderson Nature Park in Lansing. The park’s main trail is made up of a 3.6-mile loop that takes visitors into what can only be described as an enchanting section of forested scenery. You’ll want to use caution if exploring this area when the ground is icy, as there are a handful of rugged sections throughout. The park is home to an amazing waterfall, too. 3377 Wardell Rd, Lansing, MI 48917, USA
- Michigan Legacy Art Park
Facebook/Michigan Legacy Art Park In total, this brilliant spot in Thompsonville features 1.6 miles of trailway to explore. As you make your way through on foot or snowshoe, you’ll enjoy 40 sculptures and other art pieces that will take your imagination on a wonderful adventure. Since 1995, visitors have been enchanted by this spot, and it’s a perfect place to kick off the new year while letting your creative energy bloom. If you’re a fan of snowshoeing, you’re going to want to check this article out! 12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, MI 49683, USA
- Huron County Nature Center
Facebook/Huron County Nature Center This brilliant spot offers a variety of trails to choose from, so you can select your perfect pathway based on time and scenery preferences. No matter which section of the nature center you opt to explore, you’ll find trails that are well-kept and truly breathtaking. The nature center remains open throughout the year, but there’s something wonderful about dropping by for a mid-winter stroll. 3336 Loosemore Rd, Port Austin, MI 48467, USA
Have you enjoyed any of these wonderful hikes in Michigan? Are there other hikes you would recommend to your fellow Michiganders as the best hikes in Michigan? Share your experiences and recommendations with us in the comment section! We love hearing from you. Can’t get enough of these trail recommendations? Here are some other wonderful Michigan hikes to consider.
Google Reviews/Cruz Nunez
This is the perfect place to appreciate the beauty of nature while taking a leisurely hike. Whether you opt to walk solo or alongside loved ones, you’ll enjoy plenty of forested splendor at Wolters Woods, which is comprised of 34 acres and features a small playground for children to enjoy. By the time you’re through here, you’ll certainly feel more peaceful.
6281 147th Ave, Holland, MI 49423, USA
Google Reviews/Damian Rodrigo Olivera Bergallo
This Southfield gem will soothe the senses as you explore its many delights, including multiple nature trails that allow for plenty of reflective hiking. Stroll through woodlands, wetlands, and more as you bask in the fresh air and appreciate viewing platforms along Carpenter Lake itself. Stress is sure to melt away as you uncover the many wonders of this preserve.
27101-27215 W 10 Mile Rd, Southfield, MI 48033, USA
Google Reviews/Jen Pastyrnak
This awesome spot has “peace” right in its name, so how could we exclude it from our list of peaceful hikes? When you stop at the Cascade Peace Park Trail, you’ll enjoy 2.7 miles of pure natural bliss. The park itself is large, with 198 acres to explore, but the trail loop will show you some of the area’s highlights while allowing for glimpses of wildlife and gorgeous scenery. Dogs are allowed here, so long as they are leashed.
8900 Grand River Dr SE, Ada, MI 49301, USA
Traverse Trails
As its name suggests, this Traverse City trail offers access to the calm beauty of Boardman Lake itself. When you opt to walk along this three-mile path, you’ll notice a sense of serenity that sets it apart from other hiking spots in the region. The trail winds through plenty of natural areas, but it also offers easy access to a public library and other manmade delights. What’s not to love?
Boardman Lake Trail, Boardman Lake trail, Traverse City, MI, USA
AllTrails/Jennifer Grivins
Stroll alongside a lovely river as you enjoy the sights and sounds of Anderson Nature Park in Lansing. The park’s main trail is made up of a 3.6-mile loop that takes visitors into what can only be described as an enchanting section of forested scenery. You’ll want to use caution if exploring this area when the ground is icy, as there are a handful of rugged sections throughout. The park is home to an amazing waterfall, too.
3377 Wardell Rd, Lansing, MI 48917, USA
Facebook/Michigan Legacy Art Park
In total, this brilliant spot in Thompsonville features 1.6 miles of trailway to explore. As you make your way through on foot or snowshoe, you’ll enjoy 40 sculptures and other art pieces that will take your imagination on a wonderful adventure. Since 1995, visitors have been enchanted by this spot, and it’s a perfect place to kick off the new year while letting your creative energy bloom. If you’re a fan of snowshoeing, you’re going to want to check this article out!
12500 Crystal Mountain Dr, Thompsonville, MI 49683, USA
Facebook/Huron County Nature Center
This brilliant spot offers a variety of trails to choose from, so you can select your perfect pathway based on time and scenery preferences. No matter which section of the nature center you opt to explore, you’ll find trails that are well-kept and truly breathtaking. The nature center remains open throughout the year, but there’s something wonderful about dropping by for a mid-winter stroll.
3336 Loosemore Rd, Port Austin, MI 48467, USA
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The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Michigan March 12, 2022 Tori Jane What are some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Michigan? For the sake of this answer, let’s define a kid-friendly hike as one that’s not only rated as “easy” but is also under two miles in length. With 2,000+ hikes to choose from in the state of Michigan, more than 680 of them are kid-friendly. Some of our favorites include amazing gems like Miner’s Falls Trail, which is located near Munising and is just over one mile long. It leads to an amazing waterfall that will set your kids’ imaginations alight. Then, head out to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where two of the best kid-friendly hikes in Michigan can be found. They are the Miner’s Castle Trail (0.5 miles, the easiest trail to Miner’s Castle) and Munising Falls Trail (0.4 miles long, leads to two staircases with positively epic fairy-tale views). Then, head out to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (seriously, why isn’t it a National Park yet?) and embark upon the 0.6-mile-long Sable Falls Trail, which leads to an amazing rocky beach that’ll make you forget you’re in Michigan. Prefer to stay in or around Detroit when hiking with the kids? Check this article out! What are some of the best scenic hikes in Michigan? So, we might be a little biased, but we’re of the opinion that every hike in Michigan is a wonderful scenic hike in Michigan. There are, however, a couple that tend to stand out above the others in terms of sheer awesomeness. Among those are the famous Empire Bluff Trail, which runs through Empire Township and is one and a half miles long, out-and-back. This trail often makes the #1 spot in online lists of “best scenic hikes in Michigan,” and for good reason: it offers unreal views of Lake Michigan. Then, there’s Sugarloaf Mountain. This trail leads to some great viewing platforms as well as delightful panoramic views of Lake Michigan (we really like that lake, okay?). Finally, check out the Au Sable River Foot Trail, which runs through northern Michigan and features some amazing rare and protected Hartwick pines. What are your favorite hiking trails in Michigan?
The OIYS Visitor Center
Best Hikes In Michigan
March 12, 2022
Tori Jane
What are some of the best kid-friendly hikes around Michigan? For the sake of this answer, let’s define a kid-friendly hike as one that’s not only rated as “easy” but is also under two miles in length. With 2,000+ hikes to choose from in the state of Michigan, more than 680 of them are kid-friendly. Some of our favorites include amazing gems like Miner’s Falls Trail, which is located near Munising and is just over one mile long. It leads to an amazing waterfall that will set your kids’ imaginations alight. Then, head out to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where two of the best kid-friendly hikes in Michigan can be found. They are the Miner’s Castle Trail (0.5 miles, the easiest trail to Miner’s Castle) and Munising Falls Trail (0.4 miles long, leads to two staircases with positively epic fairy-tale views). Then, head out to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (seriously, why isn’t it a National Park yet?) and embark upon the 0.6-mile-long Sable Falls Trail, which leads to an amazing rocky beach that’ll make you forget you’re in Michigan. Prefer to stay in or around Detroit when hiking with the kids? Check this article out! What are some of the best scenic hikes in Michigan? So, we might be a little biased, but we’re of the opinion that every hike in Michigan is a wonderful scenic hike in Michigan. There are, however, a couple that tend to stand out above the others in terms of sheer awesomeness. Among those are the famous Empire Bluff Trail, which runs through Empire Township and is one and a half miles long, out-and-back. This trail often makes the #1 spot in online lists of “best scenic hikes in Michigan,” and for good reason: it offers unreal views of Lake Michigan. Then, there’s Sugarloaf Mountain. This trail leads to some great viewing platforms as well as delightful panoramic views of Lake Michigan (we really like that lake, okay?). Finally, check out the Au Sable River Foot Trail, which runs through northern Michigan and features some amazing rare and protected Hartwick pines. What are your favorite hiking trails in Michigan?
The OIYS Visitor Center
The OIYS Visitor Center
For the sake of this answer, let’s define a kid-friendly hike as one that’s not only rated as “easy” but is also under two miles in length. With 2,000+ hikes to choose from in the state of Michigan, more than 680 of them are kid-friendly. Some of our favorites include amazing gems like Miner’s Falls Trail, which is located near Munising and is just over one mile long. It leads to an amazing waterfall that will set your kids’ imaginations alight. Then, head out to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, where two of the best kid-friendly hikes in Michigan can be found. They are the Miner’s Castle Trail (0.5 miles, the easiest trail to Miner’s Castle) and Munising Falls Trail (0.4 miles long, leads to two staircases with positively epic fairy-tale views). Then, head out to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (seriously, why isn’t it a National Park yet?) and embark upon the 0.6-mile-long Sable Falls Trail, which leads to an amazing rocky beach that’ll make you forget you’re in Michigan. Prefer to stay in or around Detroit when hiking with the kids? Check this article out!
What are some of the best scenic hikes in Michigan?
So, we might be a little biased, but we’re of the opinion that every hike in Michigan is a wonderful scenic hike in Michigan. There are, however, a couple that tend to stand out above the others in terms of sheer awesomeness. Among those are the famous Empire Bluff Trail, which runs through Empire Township and is one and a half miles long, out-and-back. This trail often makes the #1 spot in online lists of “best scenic hikes in Michigan,” and for good reason: it offers unreal views of Lake Michigan. Then, there’s Sugarloaf Mountain. This trail leads to some great viewing platforms as well as delightful panoramic views of Lake Michigan (we really like that lake, okay?). Finally, check out the Au Sable River Foot Trail, which runs through northern Michigan and features some amazing rare and protected Hartwick pines. What are your favorite hiking trails in Michigan?
