North Country Trail Hiking Travel Postcard

The North Country Trail (NCT) is a national scenic trail that stretches over 4,800 miles across seven northern U.S. states, from New York to North Dakota, making it the longest trail in the National Trails System. In Michigan, the trail covers roughly 1,200 miles, running through both the Upper and Lower Peninsulas, offering hikers an incredible variety of landscapes including dense forests, rolling hills, wetlands, and the shores of Lake Superior. It’s part of a larger network designed for hiking, backpacking, and nature immersion, attracting long-distance hikers as well as people enjoying short day trips. Michigan’s sections of the NCT highlight the state’s natural diversity. In the Upper Peninsula, hikers pass through remote wilderness areas, including parts of Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, and encounter rivers, waterfalls, and wildlife like black bears and moose. In the Lower Peninsula, the trail weaves through scenic state forests, small towns, and farmland, giving a mix of natural beauty and cultural landmarks. The trail is maintained by volunteers and local organizations, making it a celebrated route for both adventurers seeking solitude and those exploring Michigan’s outdoors in manageable segments.