Map of the North Western State Trail
North Western State Trail
North Western State Trail
LENGTH:
32 miles
SURFACE:
paved / unpaved
COMMUNITIES:
Mackinaw City, Lake Paradise, Levering, Pelston, Brutus, Alanson, Conway, Bay View, Petosky
HIGHLIGHTS:
rail trail, Straits of Macinac, Lake Paridise, Crooked Lake, Little Traverse Bay, Petoskey State Park, nature preserves, woodlands, wetlands, small communities
NEARBY TRAILS:
RELATED LINKS:
The North Western State Trail is a 32-mile long paved and unpaved pathway that extends from Mackinaw City to Petoskey State Park in Northern Michigan. The trail was constructed along an abandoned railroad corridor across the forested countryside and alongside Highway 31. The railroad that traveled this route was referred to as "The Fishing Line". The route passes through several small towns and goes past some lovely North Michigan countryside.
Conditions
The surface of the North Western State Trail is paved for 7.5 miles on the south end between Petoskey and Alanson. The remainder of the trail is in a natural state has not been improved with compacted crushed limestone. The northern portion of the trail is not suitable for some types of bicycles.
Communities
The North Western State Trail goes near the following communities: Mackinaw City, Lake Paradise, Levering, Pelston, Brutus, Alanson, Conway, Bay View and Petosky.
Points of Interest
The North Western State Trail goes past the following points of interest:
| Mackinaw Crossings Shopping Area | Crooked Lake |
| North Central State Trail | Oden Hatchery Vistor Center |
| Lake Paradise | Hailand Nature Preserve |
| Levering Communitiy Center | Little Traverse Beach Park |
| Pellston Regional Airport | Fochtman Nature Preserve |
| Pellston Pioneer Park | Round Lake |
| Pellston Middle / High School | South Round Nature Preserve |
| Lossing-Harrington Nature Preserve | Little Traverse Wheelway |
| Kreag Nature Preserve | Petosky State Park |
| Poshewang Nature Preserve | Spring Lake Park |
Nearby Trails
North Central State Trail: the two trails meet at S. Nicolet Street and Cadillac Street near the Mackinaw Crossings Shopping Center in Mackinaw City. This location is the north end for both trails.
Little Traverse Wheelway: the two trails meet along Route 119 near Konle Road. The Little Traverse Wheelway heads to Bay View and Petoskey to the southwest and to Harbor Springs going northwest.
End Points
The north end of the North Western State Trail located at S. Nicholet Street and Mackinaw Crossings Drive in Mackinaw City. There is a large trailhead with parking at this location. This spot is also the northern end of the North Central State Trail that heads to the east toward Cheboygan.
The south end of the North Western State Trail is located near Spring Lake Park and Petoskey State Park on Harbor-Petosky Road. At this point the trail intersects with the Little Traverse Wheelway. Trail users can go north for 5.5 miles to the community of Harbor Springs or head south to Bay View and Petoskey on Little Traverse Bay using the paved Little Traverse Wheelway.
Resources
Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the North Western State Trail in Northern Michigan.
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