Mackinac Island Hiking Guide: Trails, Hiking Tips & Packing List
Discover the best Mackinac Island hiking trails, plus tips for visiting.
Mackinac Island is one of the best places to visit in Michigan. This unique island is known for its beautiful views, scenic nature, and interesting history. It is also one of the only places in the US where people get around by walking and biking instead of by driving cars.
More than 80% of the island is a part of the Mackinac Island State Park, which consists of
shoreline, forests, and about 70 miles of hiking and biking trails. The island is incredibly scenic, and one of the best things to do is go for a hike along one of the many Mackinac Island hiking trails.
As a Michigander, I personally love visiting Mackinac Island during the summertime. There is nothing better than enjoying some fresh air and beautiful views while on one of the Mackinac Island hiking trails.
This comprehensive hiking guide for Mackinac Island explores some of the best trails to take, as well as how to get to Mackinac Island and when to visit. Additionally, I’ll share some tips for visiting and a hiking packing list so that you are ready to head to the island!
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5 Incredible Mackinac Island Hiking Trails
With over 70 miles of trails on Mackinac Island, it can be difficult to decide which hike to go on.
Below, you will find the best 5 hiking trails on the island that are perfect for exploring. These trails will take you around the island and include some top sights to see like Arch Rock.
1. The Mackinac Island Loop
DISTANCE: 8 miles | TIME: 2.5-4 hours | DIFFICULTY: Easy
The most famous hiking path on the island is the Mackinac Island Loop. This 8-mile path circles the entire island and offers great views of Lake Huron and the Mackinac Bridge.
Walking or biking around the Mackinac Island Loop is one of the best things to do when visiting Mackinac Island. The path is completely paved and there are no cars, which makes it a stress-free and relaxing walk around Mackinac.
This trail is popular for walking, running, and biking, so you will likely see other people around, especially in the summertime. Many people make stops along the way to admire the views or even go for a swim in Lake Huron.
Once you complete the 8-mile loop around the island, make sure to try some of the famous Mackinac fudge back in town!
2. Trail to Arch Rock
DISTANCE: 2.1 miles | TIME: 1 hour | DIFFICULTY: Easy
Arch Rock is one of the most famous natural sights on Mackinac Island. Arch Rock is a natural limestone arch that is on the Lake Huron shoreline. It stands an impressive 146 ft tall and is a unique geological formation worth seeing.
There are a few ways to get to Arch Rock, but one of the most popular is this 2.1-mile
out-and-back trail.
The trail is paved and is relatively easy to walk or bike through a wooded area. At the end, the trail to Arch Rock will lead you to a viewing platform where you can get great views of the beautiful Arch and Lake Huron.
Along the trail, you will find several informational signs that showcase a variety of plants in the area. There are also benches available, which are perfect for sitting down and listening to the birds or admiring the natural beauty of Mackinac Island.
3. Tranquil Bluff Trail
DISTANCE: 6.1 miles | TIME: 2 – 3 hours | DIFFICULTY: Moderate
For a moderate-level hike in Mackinac Island, check out the Tranquil Bluff Trail. This 6.1-mile out-and-back style trail is located in the Mackinac Island State Park.
Along the hike, you will go through forested areas and be able to enjoy the peaceful nature of the island. This hike has about 321 feet of elevation gain, and at certain points, you will have breathtaking views of Lake Huron.
At the end of this trail, you can decide to go back the same way or take the easier Mackinac Loop back to downtown Mackinac.
4. Mackinac Island Inner Loop
DISTANCE: 7.6 miles | TIME: 2.5 – 3.5 hours | DIFFICULTY: Moderate
Similar to the first hike on this list, Mackinac Island Inner Loop goes around the entire island. However, this trail is further inland and slightly shorter than the main Mackinac Island Loop.
Mackinac Island Inner Loop goes through much of the forested area on the island. Part of the trail is paved for bikes and another portion is a regular hiking trail. It is a great option for seeing a variety of plants and wildlife, as well as for birdwatching.
The Mackinac Island Inner Loop is typically much less crowded than other parts of the island, especially because many people choose to take the paved outer loop instead. Therefore, you can enjoy some peace and quiet while hiking around Mackinac.
The hike can be slightly hilly and does have elevation gains of around 439 feet. Throughout the hike, there will be some beautiful viewpoints where you can see Lake Huron.
5. Anne’s Tablet Trail
DISTANCE: 0.5 miles | TIME: 20 minutes | DIFFICULTY: Easy
Anne’s Tablet Trail is a short hike located near downtown Mackinac. To get to the trail, simply head up Huron Road until you reach the Anne’s Tablet Trail sign.
The trail will take you to Anne’s Tablet, which is a 1916 Art Nouveau sculpture. The sculpture was built as a memorial to Constance Fenimore Woolson, who was an author in the late 1800s. Constance used to spend every summer living on Mackinac Island, and it served as an inspiration for her novels.
In addition to Anne’s Tablet, there is also the picturesque gazebo that was featured in the 1980 movie “Somewhere in Time.” This is a perfect spot to relax, especially on a sunny day.
Anne’s Tablet Trail is a great option for a short hike on Mackinac Island, especially if you are limited on time. At the top of the hike, there are stunning views of Lake Huron and you can also see downtown Mackinac and the iconic Grand Hotel in the distance.
Mackinac Island Hiking Top Tips
✅ Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated. There are some drinking fountains in the downtown area and visitors center, so make sure to fill up your water bottle before heading out on a hike.
✅ There aren’t many places to get food or drinks outside of the main town so it is good to bring some snacks like protein bars with you.
✅ Wear sturdy, comfortable tennis shoes, hiking shoes, or hiking boots.
✅ Dress in layers as Michigan weather can change quickly! Even for a warm day in the summer, you may want to bring a light jacket or rain poncho just in case the weather changes.
✅ Wear plenty of sunscreen, especially during the summer months.
✅ You may want to wear bug spray as there can be mosquitoes, especially around the water.
✅ Have your phone charged before heading out on the hike, especially if you want to take
some pictures!
✅ To go to Mackinac Island, you must take the ferry. You can purchase ferry tickets in advance or at the dock. Just make sure to check ferry hours before going as times vary depending on the season.
✅ In addition to hiking, you can also go biking on many of the trails. To go biking you can either bring your bike or rent one from the downtown area on the island.
How to Get to Mackinac Island
To visit Mackinac Island, you must take a ferry from either St. Ignance or Mackinaw City. The ferry journey takes around 20-40 minutes on average. Ferries run pretty regularly, but the exact schedules depend on the time of year.
The ferry companies are Shepler’s Mackinac Island Ferry and Mackinac Island Ferry Company, and to buy tickets or check ferry schedules you can visit their websites. You can also get tickets directly at the ferry dock.
When to Visit Mackinac Island for Hiking
Mackinac Island can be easily visited from mid-April to the end of October, as this is when most restaurants, shops, and hotels will be open for the season. During this time of year, the ferries also operate regular schedules between the island and Mackinaw City or St. Ignance.
The best time to visit Mackinac Island for hiking is during the summer months, as the weather is nice and warm during this time. Average summer temperatures are around 57° to 76° F, which is perfect weather for enjoying the outdoors.
Another benefit of visiting in the summer is that from June through August, the ferries tend to run more frequently and have longer hours. This means you will have more time to go hiking and explore Mackinac Island.
Fall is also a pretty time to visit the island due to the vibrant fall colors. The ferries don’t run quite as much as they do in the summer, but there can be fewer crowds during the fall time which is a bonus.
Mackinac Island Hiking Packing List
Below is a quick list of essentials to bring while hiking on Mackinac Island. While there is a small town on the island, you will want to bring everything you as things can be more expensive if you buy them on the island.
✔️ Refillable water bottle
✔️ Hiking boots or tennis shoes
✔️ Light jacket or rain jacket
✔️ Backpack
✔️ Bug spray
✔️ Sunscreen
✔️ Sunglasses or sun hat
✔️ Binoculars
✔️ Snacks
✔️ Charged phone
✔️ Camera
✔️ Ferry tickets
Mackinac Island Hiking: FAQ
The hike directly to Arch Rock is about 2.1 miles and takes an average of 1 hour for most people to complete it. The trail that goes to Arch Rock is paved and relatively easy. At the end of the trail, you will reach a viewing platform that will provide incredible views of the Arch.
Yes, it is possible to walk to everything on Mackinac Island. The island is small and only has about 3.8 square miles of land. Additionally, there are no cars on the island so the only way to get around is by walking, biking, or riding a horse, or going in a horse-drawn carriage.
There is lots of hiking available on Mackinac Island! There are more than 70 miles worth of hiking trails on the island which makes it a perfect place for hiking and enjoying the outdoors. Some of these trails are paved pathways which are also great for biking on the island.
The walk around Mackinac Island is 8 miles long. It takes most people around 2.5 to 4 hours to walk around the island, depending on how many stops you make along the way. Another popular activity is to bike around the island, which takes about 1 hour on average.
Mackinac Island Hiking: Conclusion
Mackinac Island is truly an incredible place to visit in Michigan, especially during the summer months when the weather is warm and sunny.
The best way to explore Mackinac Island is to hike around and enjoy the scenic views. Most of the island is a part of a state park and it has around 70 miles of trails, so there are numerous Mackinac Island hiking opportunities available.
Some must-do hikes include hiking to Arch Rock or around the Mackinac Island Loop to see the entire island.
Biking is also possible on many of the hiking trails, and riding a bike on Mackinac is one of the most popular activities to do on the island. Whether you decide to go hiking or biking around the island, you are sure to have an amazing time exploring Mackinac.
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