Hiking & Biking Trails of
Iron County

Hit the Trail – Iron County Hikes

There are plenty of hiking trails located within the Copper County State forest, Ottawa National Forest, George Young Recreation Complex, Lake Mary Plains Pathway, the Apple Blossom Trails at the Welcome Center and many more.

• Lake Mary Hiking Trails – located in the Crystal Falls area, this system of hiking and cross country ski trails is a beautiful trek with both beginner and expert sections. VIEW A PDF MAP

• Apple Blossom Trail – The trail starts at Nanaimo Park in Iron River and proceeds 2 miles to the Iron County Historical Museum. It is adjacent to Tailings Disc Golf Course, too!

• Bewabic State Park – Bewabic is located on US 2 West of Crystal Falls on Fortune Lake.  The trail starts in the campground and ends in the day-use area of the park.  It takes about one hour to hike, and it’s an easy trail to hike. Vehicle entrance fee.

• Stateline Historic Site Trail – one half mile trail starts at the Brule Lake picnic grounds on the southwest end of Brule Lake. The trail leads to the Historical Treaty Tree and Wisconsin/Michigan overland border. It is also part of the Heritage Trail.

• Glidden Lake Foot Paths – Glidden Lake is on Lake Mary Road, south of M-69 about 5 miles east of Crystal Falls There are 3 loops to these trails, well marked.  Starting point begins in the parking area.

• Ge-Che – Ge-Che Trail begins at Lake Ottawa Recreation Area boat landing and meanders for 9 miles between Lake Ottawa and Hagerman Lake.  The Bennan Lake Loop (2miles) and the Ge-Che Loop (2.5 miles). VIEW A PDF MAP

• Pentoga Park – Brule River Trail – starts at the registration booth, crosses County Road 424 and continues to the Brule River.  It’s 2.5 miles from the park to the river. Indian Ceremonial Bowl – a one mile trail from the registration booth to the Bowl.

• Wolf Track Nature Trail – A unique self-guided interpretive nature walk is offered to the public by the George Young Recreational Complex.  A 1.5 mile loop trail (with a 1/3 mile spur to MT. Margaret) winds leisurely through scenic woods, paced by well stationed signs interpreting nature in words and art.

Biking Trails

The Iron County Heritage Trail has several stretches of paved trail starting in downtown Crystal Falls stretching to Fortune Lake, and another section starting in Iron River and ending at Chicaugon Lake.

The Mirkwood Trail, finished in the fall of 2019, is a rustic bike and hiking trail located next to the Iron River Airport behind the West Iron County High School. The trailhead is just off to the left from the road leading into the airport. The trail itself is a large loop you can walk/bike in either direction and is only about one mile in total distance.

The Michigan Department of Transportation and its partners have created a series of multi-county regional maps showing road surface type, traffic volume ranges, paved/unpaved shared use paths with regional significance, recreational facilities, points of interest, plus other facilities and amenities which help make cycling across Michigan an enjoyable tourism experience.