With more than 12,500 miles of state-designated trails to explore (and many of the most serene and beautiful pathways right here in northern Michigan), the Great Lakes state is a haven for off-road exploration. Whether on foot or bike, the trails this time of year are particularly scenic as fall’s colors emerge.
Author: Heather Johnson Durocher
Photo: Glacial Hills Trails
When you’re seeking a day trip that gets you into the woods, and your idea of exploring is going for a spin or feeling the dirt beneath your feet, the Glacial Hills Pathway in Bellaire delivers.
We’re one month out from the first-ever IRONMAN 70.3 Traverse City -- a swim-bike-run event that will bring 2,500 athletes and their families to our city. Whether you’re competing in the triathlon yourself, or you’re gearing up to spectate, we’ve got some insider tips to share (best spot to watch your runner and where to park!) and great ways to make the most of your time spent up north, including a few excellent choices for post-race celebrations.
Go for a bike ride or head to the beach. Hike the dunes or stroll through a quaint coastal downtown. Here in northern Michigan, the day’s possibilities truly are endless -- especially when the sun is shining and the landscape beckons us outside to explore. We want to do it all.
(Photo: nckstagram on Instagram)
Having our four-legged companions join us on the trails makes the experience all the sweeter—there’s just something about being outdoors, watching our tongue-wagging canines so deliriously happy as they sniff and run and check out every turn in the path. Here are a few of our favorite pet-friendly spots to get out in nature and explore:
Overcast, drizzly days and it’s-not-letting-up-at-all kind of afternoons definitely can dampen plans for outdoor excursions. And while I’m all about curling up on the couch with a great read and staying warm and dry inside, sometimes it’s just good to get out and about, regardless of what Mother Nature is dishing out.
Northern Michigan’s wooded, winding trails are second to none, and the Vasa on the east side of Traverse City holds an extra special place in my heart. I grew up with these trails literally in my backyard and years later fell in love with running and mountain biking on these paths meandering through the Pere Marquette State Forest.
Getting out on the trails come winter is its own kind of beautiful experience. A quiet path blanketed with snow, sunshine piercing through the ice-encrusted branches, snowshoes crunching along the path the only sound I hear … and, oh, the fresh, cold air. It’s crisper and cleaner during our most frigid months.
There’s nothing quite like breaking a sweat during a long, satisfying run come autumn, when the sun shines and the air cools. Fall is an ideal time for outdoor exploring in northern Michigan, not only for its just-right temps but for its amazing views around every corner.
We’re standing in the middle of a closed street, at times jumping up and down a bit, shifting our weight from side to side, and holding our crossed arms to our chests to warm up on this brisk late May morning. We’re checking and re-checking our watches, adjusting earphones and iPhones, chatting with one another, or maybe just staring straight ahead, alone in our thoughts as we wait for the final countdown to the race start. The excitement and nervous-tension is palpable.
