Concord MichiganHIKING TRAILS & PLACES TO HIKE
Listed below are the best hiking trails and places to hike near Concord, Michigan.
1. Falling Waters Trail
SCENIC RAIL-TRAIL ADVENTURE
The Falling Waters Trail is a 10.5-mile paved pathway connecting the Village of Concord with the City of Jackson, built on an abandoned stretch of the Michigan Central Railroad. Ideal for walking, running, or biking, this popular rail-trail destination travels through natural springs and lakes that form the headwaters of four major Michigan rivers. Visitors can enjoy spectacular scenery including wetlands filled with abundant wildlife, the picturesque Lime Lake, and seasonal changes that make this trail worth visiting throughout the year.
2. Hickory Ridge Hike & Ski Trail
VERSATILE SEASONAL PATHWAY
Hickory Ridge Hike & Ski Trail offers outdoor enthusiasts a versatile pathway system near Concord that accommodates both hiking and cross-country skiing depending on the season. The trail winds through diverse landscapes featuring mature forests, rolling hills, and open meadows providing excellent opportunities for nature observation. Hikers can enjoy well-maintained paths that offer varying difficulty levels suitable for both beginners and experienced outdoor adventurers.
3. Shields Trail
PEACEFUL WOODLAND ESCAPE
The Shields Trail offers hikers a peaceful woodland escape near Concord with well-maintained paths winding through diverse forest ecosystems. Visitors can enjoy the tranquility of mature woodlands while observing local flora and fauna in their natural habitat. The trail features gentle terrain making it accessible for hikers of various experience levels looking to connect with nature without venturing too far from town.
4. River Trail
WATERSIDE NATURE IMMERSION
The River Trail in Concord follows the gentle curves of waterways, offering hikers intimate views of riparian ecosystems and the soothing sounds of flowing water. This scenic path provides excellent opportunities for wildlife viewing, particularly birds and aquatic species that make their home along the water's edge. The trail's relatively flat terrain makes it an enjoyable option for families and casual hikers looking to experience the natural beauty of Michigan's waterways.
5. Orange Loop
COLORFUL FOREST CIRCUIT
The Orange Loop trail near Concord offers hikers a well-marked circular path through diverse woodland settings with distinctive orange blazes guiding the way. This moderately challenging loop showcases seasonal variations in the landscape, from spring wildflowers to brilliant autumn foliage. Hikers can enjoy the convenience of returning to their starting point while experiencing different terrain and ecological zones throughout the journey.
6. Bluffs Nature Trail
ELEVATED WILDERNESS VIEWS
The Bluffs Nature Trail treats hikers to elevated perspectives of the surrounding landscape from scenic overlooks positioned along natural bluffs near Concord. This interpretive trail features educational signage highlighting the unique geological formations and ecological communities that thrive in this distinctive environment. Visitors can enjoy panoramic views while learning about the natural processes that shaped this captivating landscape over thousands of years.
7. Delta East/West Trail
DUAL DIRECTIONAL PATHWAY
The Delta East/West Trail system offers hikers two complementary routes that can be explored individually or combined for a more extensive adventure near Concord. These interconnected paths traverse varying terrain including wetlands, meadows, and forested areas, providing diverse ecosystems to explore in a single outing. Strategically placed rest areas and interpretive stations enhance the hiking experience by offering both comfort and educational opportunities along the way.
8. Beech Tree Loop
MAJESTIC HARDWOOD EXPLORATION
The Beech Tree Loop showcases magnificent American beech trees that create a cathedral-like canopy over this circular trail near Concord. Hikers can admire the smooth, elephant-gray bark and sprawling root systems of these impressive hardwoods while walking on a well-maintained path through the understory. The trail is particularly enchanting in spring when ephemeral wildflowers carpet the forest floor and in autumn when the beech leaves turn a brilliant golden-bronze.
9. Foot Trail
RUSTIC WILDERNESS PATH
The aptly named Foot Trail offers hikers a more primitive and natural experience with minimal development, preserving the wilderness feel of the landscape near Concord. This narrow path meanders through varied ecosystems, requiring careful footing but rewarding visitors with a more intimate connection to the natural environment. Wildlife sightings are common on this less-traveled route where animals are accustomed to the relative quiet and limited human presence.
10. Cascades Park Trails
WATERFALL VIEWING ROUTES
Cascades Park Trails connect hikers to one of Jackson County's most beloved natural attractions with paths designed to showcase the illuminated waterfalls and surrounding landscapes. Visitors can enjoy both paved and natural surface trails that wind through manicured gardens and more natural wooded areas within this historic park. The trail system links seamlessly with the Falling Waters Trail, allowing hikers to extend their adventure beyond the park boundaries.
11. Best Michigan Hiking
PREMIER OUTDOOR ADVENTURES
Michigan's best hiking trails offer incredible diversity, from the towering dunes along Lake Michigan to the ancient forests of the Upper Peninsula. Hikers can experience dramatic elevation changes, pristine lakes, rushing waterfalls, and abundant wildlife across well-maintained trail systems throughout the state. Four distinct seasons provide ever-changing landscapes that reward repeat visits to famous routes like the North Country Trail segments and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore paths.
12. Michigan Shoreline Hiking
GREAT LAKES COASTAL PATHS
Michigan's shoreline hiking trails showcase the state's unique position as a peninsula surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes, offering unparalleled coastal hiking experiences. These scenic paths range from sandy beach walks to dramatic cliff-top routes with panoramic views of seemingly endless blue horizons. Hikers can explore lighthouse access trails, fossil-rich shorelines, and massive dune systems while enjoying the rhythmic sounds of freshwater waves lapping at the state's 3,288 miles of coastline.
13. Michigan Hidden Hiking Gems
SECLUDED WILDERNESS ESCAPES
Michigan's hidden hiking gems offer solitude-seekers peaceful trails where encounters with other humans are rare but wildlife observations are frequent. These lesser-known paths wind through remote forests, alongside undeveloped lakes, and across protected wetlands where moose, black bears, wolves, and eagles maintain their natural behaviors. Adventurous hikers willing to explore beyond popular destinations are rewarded with pristine environments and the profound silence that can only be found in truly wild places.
14. Michigan Autumn Hiking
VIBRANT FALL FOLIAGE TOURS
Michigan's autumn hiking trails transform into corridors of spectacular color as maples, aspens, oaks, and beeches display their brilliant seasonal hues against evergreen backdrops. Peak fall foliage typically progresses from north to south across the state between mid-September and late October, creating a moving target for leaf-peepers seeking the perfect autumn hiking experience. The crisp air, reduced insect activity, and comfortable temperatures make autumn an ideal season for longer hikes, with trails through hardwood forests offering the most dramatic displays of color.
15. Ottawa National Forest
PRISTINE WILDERNESS EXPLORATION
The Ottawa National Forest encompasses nearly one million acres of pristine wilderness in Michigan's western Upper Peninsula, offering hikers over 100 miles of maintained trails through diverse ecosystems. Visitors can explore ancient hemlock groves, trek alongside tumbling waterfalls, and discover remote lakes while traversing paths that range from accessible boardwalks to challenging backcountry routes. The forest's extensive trail system includes segments of the North Country National Scenic Trail and numerous loop options that showcase the region's rich mining history, diverse wildlife, and spectacular natural features.