Follow the North Country Trail from Kalkaska county through Antrim, Charlevoix and Emmet Counties.

Trail description from South to North

Trail Crossing #1
Starvation Lake Rd (C-38)

Camping along the trail

Starvation Lake Rd to Mancelona Rd (C-38), 4 miles

The southern part of this section of trail travels over sandy ground with scrubby trees and short berry bushes. Further north there are jack pine and scrub oaks.

Trail Crossing #2
Mancelona Rd (C-38)

Large Hollow Pine Stump

Mancelona Road (C-38) to Harvey Road and US-131 Corner, 6.9 miles

Starting on Mancelona Rd the trail wanders past potato fields and through pine forests. There are a few open areas with sweet fern and blueberry bushes. It passes Five Lakes, which has a water pump and a pavillion on the opposite side of the lake that the trail is on. From the lake the trail is a road walk for five miles by following Doerr Road, Corey Road and Harvey Road to Landslide Lookout. Corey Road changes its name to Harvey Road at M-131.

Trail Crossing #3
Harvey Rd and US-131

Warner Creek

Harvey Road and US 131 to M-32, 17.9 miles

This section goes through the famous Jordan Valley. The best places to park if you want to hike this section are at Landslide Lookout, or Deadman's Hill, or M-32 trailhead parking lot. From Harvey Rd to Landslide, the trail is mostly on dirt roads. At the Landslide parking lot there is an outdoor privy. The trail going through the valley is hilly and scenic. There are several streams to walk beside and cross over. Pinny Bridge campground is a walk-in campground with pump water and an outdoor privy. Pinny Bridge is the only place people are allowed to camp in the valley. From the campground the trail follows the Jordan River going in an easterly direction. It passes at the foot of Deadman's Hill and continues north to O'Brien's Pond and Warner Creek. Following an old railroad grade, it ends up at the M-32 Trailhead parking lot.

Trail Crossing #4
M-32

Sandy Two Track to Oil Wells

M-32 to Thumb Lake Rd, 14.2 miles

Through grassy valleys with oil fields and hardwood forests with lumbering operations, this trail brings you to the Chandler Hills. When the trail is on the road, it crosses over several rivers and streams. These water sources are not always noticed by a person in a car, but they are very noticeable to the thirsty backpacker.

Trail Crossing #5
Thumb Lake Rd (C-48) and Slashing Rd

Chandler Hills in Spring

Thumb Lake Rd (C-48) to Maxwell Rd, 13.6 miles

This is a very pleasant hike through hardwood forests. It is a hilly area that is well worth the effort. Springs and small streams abound in this section for water filtering. There is a scenic vista on a side trail.

Trail Crossing #6
Maxwell Rd and Taylor Rd

Cows at Farm Along Road

Maxwell Rd to McDougal Rd, 9.4 miles

Over hill and over dale to the edge of Petoskey and the campus of North Central Michigan College. The trail climbs up to a high ridge and stays there for a good part of this hike. When it comes off the hills it goes through an interesting section; a forty acre field dotted with communication towers. The last three miles are on roads, but after hiking in the woods for so long it is almost refreshing to have a wide open view.

Trail Crossing #7
McDougal Rd

US 131 Bridge over Bear River

McDougal Rd to Kipp Rd, 11.7 miles

The trail goes through the campus of North Central Michigan College then continues on through Petoskey by following the Bear River. I call it the peaceful passage through Petoskey, because all the traffic and business of the large city is muted by the river valley that you traverse on your way to Little Traverse Bay. The walk along the bay on the bicyle path is most pleasant. A detour can be made opposite the large clock to downtown Petoskey (watch for large overhead sign). After going through a residential area the trail goes behind a grocery store. It then goes past a side trail to the State Park. Crossing M-119 it travels north along an old railroad grade and through Conway. At the north end of Conway the trail goes behind a very nice resturant.

It's not down on any map; true places never are. ---Herman Melville