Whether you want to stroll through picturesque small towns, along classic Michigan waterways, or near sun-dappled woodlands, the Great Lakes Bay Region offers many options. Today, we tell you about 10 of our favorite walking trails in the region.
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Users of the RailTrail system pass by working farms. (Photo courtesy of Shelley Gotschling)Walking trails lead to ice cream in Bay County
When you’re walking, you burn calories, says Route Bay City Managing Editor Kathy Roberts. That means you need to re-fuel. With that in mind, here are some Bay County walking trails that take you near ice cream shops.
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Railtrail begins near Hotchkiss Road. (Photo courtesy of Cathy Washabaugh)1. Riverwalk and RailTrail
Bay City’s Riverwalk and RailTrail consists of more than 17 miles of paved pathways for walkers and non-motorized traffic. The trails extend through the city on both sides of the Saginaw River as well as Portsmouth, Hampton, and Bangor townships.
On the East Side, the walking trails wind along the river, passing through a park and linking to both Downtown and Uptown Bay City. Best of all, they connect you to paths that pass near a couple of popular ice cream spots.
In Uptown Bay City, you’ll find
Cream and Sugar, 160 Uptown Drive. Just a little up the road, you can make a stop at
St. Laurent Brothers, 1101 N. Water St., for ice cream and candy or
Artgiano, 815 Saginaw St., for cheese or gelato.
On the West Side, you can stroll past an arboretum, community flower gardens, marinas and boaters, anglers casting for fish, softball games, and kids on playground equipment. Don’t miss
Buoy 18, where you can play a round of miniature golf while enjoying an ice cream cone.
2. Bay City State Park
Over by the
Bay City State Park, the trails pass waterways, wooded land, fields, and a marsh. When you’re done hiking, stop at
Mussel Beach Drive-In for a treat. Bring cash, though. They don’t accept credit cards.
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Birds, fish, and wetland animals flourish along trails in the northern portion of Bay County.3. Northern Bay County
In northern Bay County, you’ll find the
Wah Sash Kah Moqua Nature Preserve, Pinconning Nature Preserve, and the
Bay County Pinconning Park. Pinconning also is home to
Purtell’s Restaurant and Ice Cream Shoppe, 409 S. Mable St.
Isabella County offers several options for hiking enthusiasts
When it comes to nature trails and walkable pathways, Isabella County and the City of Mount Pleasant offer residents plenty of opportunities to hit the trails and experience the outdoors, according to Epicenter Mt. Pleasant Managing Editor Liz Fredendall.
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A bench along the GKB Riverwalk Trail in Mount Pleasant offers visitors an opportunity to rest and enjoy the beauty of the Chippewa River. (Photo courtesy of Liz Fredendall)1. GKB Riverwalk Trail
If you’re starting small, enjoy a lazy stroll along the Chippewa River by visiting the
GKB Riverwalk Trail right in downtown Mt. Pleasant. The nearly 2 mile-long trail wraps along other city parks such as
Island Park and
Mill Pond Park, and extends from
Pickens Field to
Chipp-A-Waters Park.
2. Deerfield Nature Park
For a more immersive nature experience, visit a county park. While
Meridian County Park offers 145 acres and plenty of trails for hikers to enjoy, if that’s not enough for you check out
Deerfield Nature Park. The 591-acre park has eight miles of trails for visitors to traverse, and a beach should you wish to go for a swim and cool off after a hike.
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Located on West Pickard Road in Mount Pleasant, Sylvan Solace Preserve consists of 78 acres with well-maintained natural trails. (Photo courtesy of Liz Fredendall)3. Sylvan Solace Preserve
For those looking to explore wildlife while catching some exercise, check out one of the nature preserves maintained by the
Chippewa Watershed Conservancy (CWC).
Sylvan Solace Preserve, located in Deerfield Township, offers nearly two miles of trails with opportunities to learn about the local birds, forestry, wildflowers along the way.
4. Pere-Marquette Rail-Trail
A popular destination for runners, bicyclists, and in-line skaters, the
Pere-Marquette Rail-Trail is a great walking trail. The 8.25 mile-long paved pathway is also handicap accessible and runs across Isabella, Clare, and Midland Counties.
Here are our top three hiking destinations in Midland County
Midland County isn’t known as a hiking hub, says Catalyst Midland Assistant Editor Crystal Gwizdala. Surprisingly though, it boasts miles of well-maintained and diverse trail systems. Most have defined loops and feature maps and/or trail markers throughout to assist with navigation.
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The towering pines, peaceful ponds, and trickling streams at Pine Haven all make these trails worth the short trip from town. (Photo courtesy of Crystal Gwizdala)1. Pine Haven Recreational Area
The towering pines, peaceful ponds, and trickling streams at
Pine Haven all make these trails worth the short trip from town. In Sanford, Pine Haven lies just off of the River Road exit on US-10. Because it is near the highway, there can be traffic noise in some legs of the trails. On the other hand, these trails are less frequently visited, affording more privacy.
The difficulty of the trails is marked both on the map at the entrance and on signs along the trail, so walkers can choose between a casual stroll or a rigorous climb. There are also tracks for mountain biking, horseback riding, and cross-country skiing. Evacuation routes are marked, too. One word of caution: this area is owned by the State of Michigan, so hunting is allowed. If you plan on walking during hunting season, wear bright orange.
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Midland City Forest is the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure destination. Sprawling trails and loops weave through the forest, featuring wide horseback riding trails and maintained mountain biking trails. (Photo courtesy of Crystal Gwizdala)2. Midland City Forest
Midland City Forest is the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure destination. Sprawling trails and loops weave through the forest, featuring wide horseback riding trails and maintained mountain biking trails, which are open to hikers too. Walkers looking for a more rustic experience might stick to the biking trails, whereas those who want a more easygoing experience may stick to the main trails. If you venture into the heart of the forest, you’ll find a river flowing through. There are three bridges for crossing.
Midland City Forest is situated on Monroe Road and Eastman Avenue, north of town. Because Eastman Avenue runs alongside the forest, it can be noisy in some areas.
In the winter, the mountain bike track is open for cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. Ice skating is available on a pond at the entrance, and just up the hill is a rentable chalet (COVID-19 contingent). Not too far from the parking lot is a groomed sledding and toboggan hill.
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Chippewa Nature Center has 19+ miles of hiking trails available. Be on the lookout for rivers, marshes, ponds, overlooks, observation towers, and even a canoe/kayak launch. (Photo courtesy of Crystal Gwizdala)3. Chippewa Nature Center
If you’re looking for family fun, the
Chippewa Nature Center (CNC) is the place to go. Located off of M-20 a few minutes west of Midland, it isn’t too long of a drive. On the trails are multiple outhouses and restrooms, educational structures, and placards. The CNC also hosts programs, classes, and summer camps for children and adults.
But CNC isn’t just for families — there are 19+ miles of hiking trails available. The trail systems are not as integrated as Pine Haven or Midland City Forest, but that doesn’t make them any less diverse. There are rivers, marshes, ponds, overlooks, observation towers, and even a canoe/kayak launch.