Flat state, big trails.
Michigan gets underestimated as a hiking state, and southeast Michigan gets it worse. But within 30 minutes of Ann Arbor, you can be on trails that run through old-growth remnants, along kettle lakes, through wetlands, and across rolling terrain that doesn’t feel like the Midwest at all.
Here’s the real list – organized by difficulty so you can match the trail to your legs.
Easy: For When You Want to Move, Not Suffer
Saginaw Forest Loop
Distance: 1.7 miles. Elevation gain: 88 feet. Time: 30-60 minutes.
Saginaw Forest is an 80-acre University of Michigan property about 5 miles west of campus on Liberty Road. The loop trail passes through a pine plantation, past two ponds (one crossed via bridge), and along Third Sister Lake.
The trail is dirt – not paved, not groomed – so expect some roots and muddy patches after rain. No strollers. No restrooms. No entrance fee. Dogs on leash are welcome.
Park on Westview Way across from the main entrance. This trail is short enough for a lunch-break hike and quiet enough that you might not see another person.
Gallup Park to Furstenberg Loop
Distance: ~2 miles round trip. Elevation gain: minimal. Time: 45-60 minutes.
Start at Gallup Park and walk east into Furstenberg Nature Area. Gallup gives you paved riverside paths and bridge crossings to small islands. Furstenberg shifts to boardwalks through wetlands and floodplain forest. The combination is flat, easy, and covers two completely different landscapes in under an hour.
This is the hike for people who don’t think they like hiking. The river views and the boardwalk through the marsh will change their mind.
Parker Mill County Park
Distance: ~1 mile loop. Elevation gain: negligible. Time: 20-30 minutes.
Parker Mill is a tiny county park off Geddes Road between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti. A short loop trail runs through floodplain woods along Fleming Creek, past a restored 19th-century cider mill.
The trail is flat, short, and shaded. Good for a quick escape. The historic mill buildings are worth a look, and the creek crossing adds just enough interest to make it more than a stroll.
Moderate: Real Hikes, No Suffering Required
Bird Hills Nature Area
Distance: 3.8 miles (full trail system). Elevation gain: moderate rolling hills. Time: 1.5-2 hours.
Bird Hills is 160 acres on Ann Arbor’s west side, and it’s the closest thing to real backcountry hiking within city limits. Unpaved trails through wet forest, marshland, and gentle hills. No pavement anywhere.
The full loop is the most popular running trail in Ann Arbor per AllTrails – 4.5 stars, 2,600+ reviews. Expect mud after rain. The canopy is dense, so even summer hikes have shade. Park at the lot off Newport Road.
This is the trail that makes you forget you’re five minutes from a Whole Foods.
Barton-Argo Loop Trail
Distance: 2.4 miles. Elevation gain: minimal. Time: 1 hour.
The most popular hiking route in the Ann Arbor corridor. This trail follows the Huron River between Barton Dam and Argo Nature Area, connecting through floodplain forest with solid birding.
The path is a mix of paved sections and packed dirt. The river is always in view or earshot. Stop at the Argo Cascades to watch kayakers and tubers navigate the human-made rapids – free entertainment.
Good year-round. The winter version, with ice along the river and bare canopy, is underrated.
Nichols Arboretum Loop
Distance: 2.7 miles. Elevation gain: 206 feet. Time: 1-1.5 hours.
Nichols Arboretum isn’t just a garden – it’s a real hike with hills. The main loop travels through the central valley, across open prairie, along the Huron River, and past collections of trees from around the world.
The 200 feet of elevation gain is distributed in rolling ups and downs that add up. Side trails branch off the main loop and can easily add a half mile. Late May brings the peony garden. Fall brings some of the best color in the county.
Enter from Washington Heights. This trail is the best bang-for-effort hike in the city.
Delhi Metropark
Distance: 2-3 miles of trails. Elevation gain: moderate. Time: 1-1.5 hours.
Delhi Metropark is about 5 miles west of downtown on Delhi Road, sitting on a wooded bluff above the Huron River. The trails here climb through hardwood forest with views down to the river. Some sections are steep enough to feel like a real hike.
The park also has river access for canoeing and kayaking. A Metroparks vehicle pass ($40/year or $10/day) is required. The combination of river bluff trails and water access makes this one of the more complete outdoor experiences close to town.
Dexter-Huron Metropark
Distance: ~2 miles of trails. Elevation gain: gentle. Time: 45-60 minutes.
Dexter-Huron Metropark sits where Mill Creek meets the Huron River, about 10 miles northwest of Ann Arbor. Wooded trails run along both waterways. The forest is mature and the understory is thick – good wildflower hiking in spring.
Less crowded than Delhi. Same Metroparks pass required. This is the park for when Delhi is too busy and you want the same river-bluff feeling with fewer people.
Challenging: Half-Day and Full-Day Hikes
Pinckney Recreation Area – Potawatomi Trail
Distance: 17.5-mile loop (or 5-mile Silver Lake shortcut). Elevation gain: significant. Time: 3-7 hours depending on route.
Pinckney Recreation Area is about 25 miles northwest of Ann Arbor, and the Potawatomi Trail is the main event. The full 17.5-mile loop circles through hilly terrain, past kettle lakes, across boardwalks over wetlands, and through dense forest. The 5-mile Silver Lake shortcut gives you the highlights without the full commitment.
This is a proper hike. The hills are real. The terrain changes constantly. Bring enough water, real shoes, and a trail map – cell service is spotty. A Michigan Recreation Passport ($17/year) is required for vehicle entry.
The Potawatomi Trail is shared with mountain bikers, so stay alert on blind corners, especially on weekends.
Waterloo-Pinckney Trail
Distance: 33+ miles point-to-point. Elevation gain: 2,200+ feet cumulative. Time: 2-4 days.
The big one. The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail runs from the Waterloo State Recreation Area to the Pinckney Recreation Area – 33 miles through the largest state park in Michigan’s Lower Peninsula.
The trail passes through 20,000 acres of kettle lakes, swamps, open meadows, eskers, and forest. Several campgrounds along the route allow 2, 3, or 4-day thru-hikes. The terrain is rolling, sandy in spots, muddy in others, and shared with horses in some sections.
This is southeast Michigan’s closest thing to a backcountry experience. Bring a water filter, a real pack, and a plan. The Lakelands Trail State Park connects to the system if you want even more miles.
Independence Lake County Park
Distance: 3+ miles of trails. Elevation gain: moderate. Time: 1.5-2 hours.
Independence Lake is about 15 miles north of Ann Arbor, and the trails here loop through wooded hills and along the lakeshore. The terrain is hillier than most county parks in the area, and the lake views break up the forest nicely.
Summer brings a swimming beach and splash pad. The trails are good year-round. Less known than Pinckney or Waterloo, which means fewer people on a Saturday morning.
Before You Go: Practical Notes
Michigan Recreation Passport: Required for state parks and recreation areas (Pinckney, Waterloo). $17/year when you renew your vehicle registration, or $7/day at the gate.
Metroparks Pass: Required for Delhi, Dexter-Huron, and other Huron-Clinton Metroparks. $40/year or $10/day.
City Parks and Nature Areas: Free. No pass needed for Bird Hills, Gallup, Nichols Arboretum, Saginaw Forest, or any Ann Arbor city park.
Trail Conditions: Michigan trails get muddy. After rain, Bird Hills and Saginaw Forest are the worst offenders. Waterproof boots aren’t overkill from October through April.
Ticks: Real concern from April through September. Check yourself after every hike, especially if you’ve been through tall grass or brush. Tucking pants into socks looks ridiculous and works perfectly.
Pick Your Trail
30-minute escape: Saginaw Forest or Parker Mill
After-work river walk: Barton-Argo Loop
Saturday morning workout: Bird Hills or Nichols Arboretum
Half-day adventure: Potawatomi Trail at Pinckney
Multi-day backpack: Waterloo-Pinckney Trail
For the full list of parks, trails, and nature areas in the Ann Arbor region, check out miannarbor.com.
