Pathways, where another has traveled before, while many have not. Leaving the vistas with the same appearance very near the same as the first. This pathway may be walked, hiked, snowshoed, cross-country-skied, or paddled as designated "Quiet Trails". Some "trails" are designated motorized or ridden by car, 4 - wheeler, or snowmobile. Abide by the designations and take out of the trail only that which you brought in.

In this post, you'll find a listing of designated foot paths and water trails. Motorized trails are listed in a separate post. Enjoy the trail.

FOOT PATHS

NORTH COUNTRY SCENIC TRAIL is a national trail that traverses eight states and 4,600 trail miles maintained by local chapters. A portion, 16 miles, is routed through the Tahquamenon Falls State Park the balance in the eastern upper peninsula is maintained by the Shore-to-Shore North Country Trail Chapter with deep appreciation within the community.

NORTH COUNTRY SCENIC TRAIL M-123 to NAOMIKONG OVERLOOK, a section of the North Country Trail located in the Hiawatha National Forest, south of the Tahquamenon River mouth that follows the shoreline of Lake Superior's Whitefish Bay. As a NCT designated trail identified with the familiar blue blaze, this portion of the trail as well as the balance of the eastern UP is maintained by the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter. You'll often find organized hikes with the group as well as opportunities to join the group in maintaining or blazing new trails.

NORTH COUNTRY SCENIC TRAIL TAHQUA ROAD is one of my favorites and often hiked by the Hiawatha Shore-to-Shore Chapter members on January 1. A trail head can be located along Tahqua Trail Road south of Paradise, just north of the Tahquamenon Falls State Park's roadside park north of the Tahquamenon River mouth. This trail follows the shoreline of the Tahquamenon River and offers breathtaking vistas of the wilderness river.

MICHIGAN IRON BELLE TRAIL uses existing trails and traverses some 2,000 across the state from the Western tip of the Upper Peninsula to the Detroit. Promoted as two routes, this one great trail is displayed by the Michigan DNR on their website. A portion of this great trail moves through the Paradise region.

PARADISE PATHWAY: North Loop (3.2 Miles) The Paradise Pathway trail head is located just 1/4 mile west of the blinking light in Paradise on route M-123, the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway. Paradise Pathway consists of three paths. You'll find a local group of volunteers, Tahquamenon Country Pathways Association that maintains the Paradise Pathways. Clearing brush and fallen debris and grooming them for snowshoe and cross-country skier alike. Paradise Pathways are within the Tahquamenon Falls State Park region.

PARADISE PATHWAY: North Ridge Loop (3.4 Miles) North indicates its location North of M-123. The trail head parking lot is located south of M-123. You'll find a map of these three loops at this link: paradise_trail.pdf (state.mi.us)

PARADISE PATHWAY: South Loop (1.6 Miles) The shortest and yet most popular path, located south of the Tahquamenon Scenic Byway.

TAHQUAMENON FALLS - Giant PinesLoop (3.8 Miles) Known for two specific giant white pine trees, hemlocks, bubbling streams, and wildlife, this is a popular cross-country ski trail.

TAHQUAMENON FALLS - Clark LakeLoop (5.2 Miles) Through pine forests with views of Clark loop begins at the parking lot on Clark Lake Road. There are several areas of silver and green lichens, ferns, blueberries, jack pine uplands and moss-carpeted lowlands. It is possible to connect with the Wilderness Loop from this trail.

TAHQUAMENON FALLS - WildernessLoop (7.0 Miles) Assessable to the North Country Trail, Clark Lake Loop or the Giant Pines Loop, this trail crosses through pine ridges, peat lands, and hold growth hemlock forests. This trail is designated as one of the more difficult, primitive trails.

TAHQUAMENON FALLS - Nature Trail (0.5 Miles) a breath of fresh air in a short distance. This trail is utilized in February for the park's lantern lit trails but in the summer months you'll find it blanked with ferns.

TAHQUAMENON FALLS - River Trail (4.0 Miles) This trail is one of the most popular in scenic trails in the park. It traverses through American beech, sugar maple, eastern hemlock and yellow birch trees as you hike between da Falls (the Upper and Lower Tahquamenon Falls). Due to roots and unlevel pathways, this trail can be challenging.

TAHQUAMENON FALLS - Emerson Foot Trail (1.0 Miles) At the time of this writing, this trail is in development phase, but it is ideal for birdwatching as the trail meanders along the banks of Tahquamenon Bay.

WATER TRAILS

LAKE SUPERIOR East Water Trail is a paddling trail from Grand Marais to Whitefish Point, to Lake Superior's South Shore. Historically valued in the early times by native Americans, voyageurs, and early European explorers.

TAHQUAMENON RIVER is very nearly a wilderness river. The Woods, Tahquamenon River Canoe and Kayak Rentals has been offering guided tours and paddling recommendations for years. They offer short- and long-term excursions. Remember kayaking on Lake Superior can be dangerous, even the most experienced in the area respects the quick swells that can develop seemingly out of nowhere.

MOTORIZED TRAILS

Sometimes a person doesn't want to cover more ground in a short amount of time. The Paradise area offers scenic driving routes, 4-wheeler options, and seasonal popular snowmobile routes. Learn more about Motorized Trail Options at this link: Motorized Trails