North Country Trail: M-20 Trailhead to Five Mile Road

Dogs Off-leash

E-Bikes Unknown

Start off with a beautiful stream crossing soon after the trail begins and enjoy a ride through the Manistee National Forest. It winds north through hardwood and pine forests that are beautiful all year long. Watch for sandy spots in the late summer and keep your eyes open for wildlife.

Keep your eye open for wild blueberries in the summer, but leave some for me.

This trail follows part of the North Country National Hiking Trail. From the M-20 parking lot, go north across M-20 and follow the trail from there (it's prohibited to go south) The start of the ride begins with a climb, but there's payoff in less than a mile as you cross a bridge over a creek and climb out from there.

It's singletrack all the way to 5 Mile Road, with some ATV trail crossings, so be careful as you cross roads and ATV trails. The trail is marked with blue hashes on the trees, so it's easy to follow. When you get to Five Mile, you can turn around and return to the parking lot. The rolling terrain is faster on the return.