People who love to hike are working together to create one long trail through the Northern United States. Right now, parts of the North Country National Scenic Trail stretch through eight different states, including Michigan.  

 

In Calhoun County, it goes by rivers and forests and towns, a large arboretum, a bridge museum, and a big monument dedicated to the Underground Railroad. 

 

How long is the North Country Trail? 

The trail is 4,800 miles long, making it the longest National Scenic Trail in America. It goes through North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, New York and Vermont. 

 

You can find the Michigan map here. It’s not all paved yet, and some of the parts in Calhoun County require walking along roads. But there are also some beautiful stretches in Battle Creek and Marshall. 

 

What is a Trail Town? 

A Trail Town is a community that has been recognized for supporting hikers through the North Country National Scenic Trail. 

 

Calhoun County has three: Battle Creek, Marshall and Albion. Within each trail town, you’ll find a section of trail that has been created and maintained by local municipalities and volunteers. 

 

What are the best places to hike in Calhoun County? 

Battle Creek has two major hotspots: One is the Linear Park trail, which is 26 miles long and takes you out to the Fort Custer Recreation Area. You’ll go past notable tourist attractions, like the Underground Railroad Monument and Leila Arboretum. 

 

The Calhoun County Trailway is 5.6 miles, and you can start at Historic Bridge Park. Admire the outdoor museum of truss bridges along the Kalamazoo River, and then travel through two other parks: Kimball Pines and Ott Biological Preserve.  

 

The Marshall Riverwalk has some lovely outlooks along its 1.6 miles. The raised boardwalk runs alongside a paved biking path following both Rice Creek and the Kalamazoo River.