[itinérant]

Hello. I love to go hiking, especially in the fall when it cools off some. I live in downtown Detroit. I would like to go hiking on the weekend. I like day hikes where I can park my car and walk the loop for 4 - 8 hours and drive home. I am willing to drive to the trail. The shorter the drive, the better, but I am willing to drive for as long as 6 hours to find some good trails.

i prefer to hike in areas where hunting is NOT allowed, though I'll consider some areas where they allow hunting.

Any recommendations?

Thanks.

[detwahDJ]

For one, Waterloo recreation area.
http://www.michigandnr.com/publicati...terloo_map.pdf

http://www.michigantrails.us/index.html

[detwahDJ]

Forgot - state game areas have nice trails, including cros country skiing - of course there will be hunters later on.
Places designated as "natural areas", metroparks, state parks, and "nature preserves" usually have trails and restricted hunting.
http://www.michigandnr.com/Publicati...aybury_map.pdf
List of nature centers in Michigan - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
On the Trails
Southeast Michigan Land Conservancy Groups : SMLC

[michigan83]

Originally Posted by itinérant

Hello. I love to go hiking, especially in the fall when it cools off some. I live in downtown Detroit. I would like to go hiking on the weekend. I like day hikes where I can park my car and walk the loop for 4 - 8 hours and drive home. I am willing to drive to the trail. The shorter the drive, the better, but I am willing to drive for as long as 6 hours to find some good trails.

i prefer to hike in areas where hunting is NOT allowed, though I'll consider some areas where they allow hunting.

Any recommendations?

Thanks.

So you are willing to drive up to 6 hours? That gives you LOTS of options. If you want to stay on the east side of the state, you could drive approximately 3 hours to the Au Sable River area. There is a great scenic drive that goes along the river, beginning in Oscoda. There are lots of hiking opportunities within easy access of the road.

http://www.oscoda.com/wp-content/upl..._trail_map.pdf

[itinérant]

Thanks. I hope others respond as well.

[detwahDJ]

Notice on this map for instance the area designated "closed to hunting". Some places have these "safety zones".
http://www.michigandnr.com/publicati...ry_SGA_map.pdf

But I know there are trails there.
http://www.michigandnr.com/Publicati...prings_map.pdf

More resources.
http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/parkmap.aspx

Here' are some not far away.
http://www.michigandnr.com/Publicati...nckney_map.pdf
http://www.michigandnr.com/Publicati...d_lake_map.pdf

[leroythelion]

Originally Posted by itinérant

Thanks. I hope others respond as well.

Try Maybury State Park in Plymouth. The trail is short (less than 5 miles) but very nice. I also like the Pickney and Island Lake parks but they often share a path with bikers. Someone mentioned Waterloo, which I think is the area's best hiking trail, but parts of it is open to hunting.

[michmoldman]

I second the Au Sable River area...just got back and is one of my favorite areas in the state. The dunes you see waaay off in the distance to the right past the island are about 300 ft. high and the views are unbeatable around most of the river.
Closer to you, Pickney and Waterloo areas are real nice.

[DTWflyer]

There are many places in Southeastern Michigan for shorter hikes and maybe put together could make a nice afternoon hike around multiple loops. Huron-Clinton Metroparks and State Parks and State Recreation areas have the most options in the region. Most of the State Recreation areas allow hunting, so I would recommend avoiding the areas around dusk. We hike in them often on the established trails during hunting season, but wear bright clothes and be out well before dark.
Some areas have trails that are shared or intended specifcally for mountain biking. I would avoid those trails - particularly the mountain biking trails at Pontiac Lake, Island Lake, or Brighton.

Best Hiking Trails in SE Michigan:
- Waterloo/Pickney State Recreation Area (west of Chelsea)
- Brighton State Recreation Area (Brighton) - there are some trails that are hiking only, no-bikes
- Proud Lake State Recreation Area
- Holly State Recreation Area
- Bald Mountain State Recreation Area

Stoney Creek Metropark has some loops in the Nature Center area and the Osprey trails that are nice too.

[DTWflyer]

Farther from home - for up to a 6 hour drive, you can easily hit the areas up north or on the west side of the state. I am more familar with options up north.

Jordan River Pathway / Deadman's Hill - west of Gaylord / near Mancelona is one of my favorite fall hikes. It is a 3+ hour drive from Metro Detroit but would be good to get on a fall weekend getaway up north. Time it right for amazing fall colors.