Hiking & Biking Trails on the Lakeshore

One of the things I love most about living on the lakeshore is that you're never far from a great trail. For paved cycling, the William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail is the headliner, running roughly 22 miles through Oceana County. For hiking, Ludington State Park is hard to beat, with its dune ridges, forest paths, and the walk out to the Big Sable Point Lighthouse. Up north, the Manistee Riverwalk gives you an easy boardwalk stroll right through town, and Arcadia Dunes offers everything from gentle accessible overlooks to serious mountain-bike singletrack. When you're house hunting with me, I'm happy to point out which neighborhoods put you closest to the trail you'll actually use.

The William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail is a favorite of mine for exactly that reason. It's a paved rail-trail of about 22 miles running from Hart south to Montague, and it has the distinction of being the first paved rail-trail in Michigan, opening in 1989. Because it follows an old rail corridor, the grade stays gentle, which makes it forgiving for kids, casual riders, and anyone easing back into cycling. You roll through the small Oceana County towns of Mears, Shelby, New Era, and Rothbury along the way, so there are natural stops for a snack, ice cream, or a rest. It's a classic West Michigan day-trip ride, and you can pedal as much or as little of it as you like.

Ludington State Park sits on a beautiful stretch of land between Hamlin Lake and the Lake Michigan shoreline, with miles of marked trails ranging from flat, accessible paths to steep dune climbs. My favorite for views is the Skyline Trail, a short boardwalk loop that rides the crest of a dune ridge so you can see Lake Michigan on one side and the forest and lake on the other. For a longer outing, the Lighthouse Trail leads you out to the Big Sable Point Lighthouse, with its unmistakable black-and-white striped tower standing at the northern tip of the park. Between the dunes, the marsh boardwalks, and the beach, it's the kind of park you can return to all year and never tire of.

Absolutely, it's one of the signature experiences on this part of the lakeshore. The Big Sable Point Lighthouse is the tall black-and-white striped tower at the northern end of Ludington State Park, jutting out on a sandy point into Lake Michigan. You can reach it a few different ways: a walk up the beach, a stroll along the unpaved service road, or the Lighthouse Trail through the park, each running a few miles round trip. The walk itself is the reward, with dunes, water, and big open sky the whole way. The lighthouse is generally open for the warmer months of the year, so it makes a wonderful spring-through-fall adventure when you want a destination at the end of your hike.

The Manistee Riverwalk is one of the easiest and most charming walks on the northern lakeshore. It's a boardwalk that follows the Manistee River right through the heart of downtown Manistee, carrying you past the marina, historic Victorian-era buildings, and out toward Lake Michigan. Because it's flat and largely boardwalk, it's a relaxed, accessible option that suits just about anyone, whether you want a quick morning stroll or a slower wander with stops for coffee and shopping along the way. I often suggest it to people considering Manistee because it captures the town's character so well, walkable, water-focused, and historic, all in one easy outing.

The North Country Trail is the longest trail in the National Trails System, stretching thousands of miles across eight states from Vermont to North Dakota, and Michigan carries more of its mileage than any other state. You don't have to thru-hike to enjoy it, though. Long segments wind through the Manistee National Forest and the surrounding river country east of the lakeshore, where the trail rolls through hardwoods and along the Manistee River bluffs. The well-loved Manistee River Trail pairs with a North Country Trail segment to form a popular multi-day loop, but you can just as easily walk a few miles of it as an afternoon out. It's the trail to choose when you want a deeper, more remote woods experience close to home.

For mountain biking, my top recommendation is Arcadia Dunes, the C.S. Mott Nature Preserve, a sprawling conservancy property up near the Manistee and Benzie county line with more than 15 miles of trail. The Dry Hill side is the draw for serious riders, a purpose-built singletrack network designed with the International Mountain Bicycling Association that's earned a reputation as one of the better off-road rides in northern Michigan. If you prefer something mellower, the preserve also has flatter multi-use trails that work well for beginners. And while the Hart-Montague Trail is paved rather than dirt, it's a great choice for gravel and hybrid riders who want distance without technical terrain. Tell me how you like to ride and I can match you to the right corner of the lakeshore.

Yes, and that's one of the perks of this coastline, you can earn a big view without a big effort. At Arcadia Dunes, the accessible Overlook Trail leaves from the Baldy parking area and brings you to a sweeping view of Lake Michigan from atop a perched dune, while the longer Old Baldy network rewards you with the same kind of bluff-top scenery if you want more distance. At Ludington State Park, the Skyline Trail's elevated boardwalk delivers panoramic dune-and-lake views from a short loop. These spots are perfect when you have family or friends visiting and want to show off the lakeshore quickly. I always keep a mental list of these quick-win viewpoints for clients getting to know the area.

Each season offers something different here, which is part of the charm. Late spring through early fall is prime time for the paved trails and beach hikes, with warm days, wildflowers in the preserves, and the lighthouse and shoreline at their best. Summer is busiest, so I like early mornings on the trails before the beach crowds arrive. Autumn might be my personal favorite, the hardwoods along the North Country Trail and Manistee River turn brilliant, and the cooler air makes the dune climbs more comfortable. Winter opens up snowshoeing and quiet, snow-draped trails for those who embrace it. If outdoor access matters to you in a home, let's talk about which areas keep you closest to year-round trails.