Overview
The North Country Trail Munising Segment runs 7.5 miles through the interior of Hiawatha National Forest, south of the Lake Superior shoreline that draws most visitors to the area. This point-to-point route is part of the North Country National Scenic Trail, which ultimately spans more than 4,600 miles from North Dakota to Vermont: one of the longest hiking trails in the country.
The Munising Segment passes through the quiet forest interior where the drama is subtler than the cliff-top spectacle at Pictured Rocks: cedar swamps buzzing with warblers in spring, inland ponds reflecting birch stands in autumn, and the deep quiet of mixed boreal forest with minimal other foot traffic. This section sees far fewer hikers than the nearby Chapel Loop, making it appealing for those seeking solitude.
The Route
Miles 0.0 to 2.0: Southern Trailhead to First Lowlands
From the southern trailhead on Forest Road 2258, the trail heads north through second-growth maple and birch. The first mile is on firm upland terrain before the trail begins to drop into the first cedar swamp crossing at mile 1.8. Log bridges and puncheon sections span the wettest areas, though some logs are slick after rain. A small pond visible to the right at mile 2.0 is reliable moose habitat in early morning.
Miles 2.0 to 4.5: Lake and Upland Views
The trail climbs onto a low ridge offering filtered views of a small unnamed lake to the west. The upland section here has some of the tallest yellow birch on the route, with trunks reaching 2 feet in diameter. The trail follows the ridge for roughly a mile before descending again. At mile 3.8, a blue-blazed spur leads 0.3 miles east to a dispersed camping area near a small stream: a good turnaround point for out-and-back hikers.
Miles 4.5 to 7.5: Northern Approach to M-28
The northern half of the route crosses a second large cedar lowland before climbing to a drier hardwood upland approaching M-28. This section has the most consistent blazing and is the easiest navigation. The trail ends at a small dirt lot near M-28 on the outskirts of Munising. The North Country Trail continues west from here toward Pictured Rocks and east toward Tahquamenon Falls.
When to Hike
June through August works well, though the cedar swamps can be wet and buggy into early July. Mosquitoes and black flies peak in June. By mid-July conditions improve significantly. The upland sections are pleasant throughout summer.
September and October are ideal: fall color is at its best, bugs are gone, and the trail is typically dry. The route can hold snow by late October most years.
Winter brings deep snow to the Upper Peninsula, and the North Country Trail corridor is used by snowshoers in season. The low sections can have breakable crust on top of soft snow, making gaiters useful.
What to Bring
Many hikers carry 2 liters of water from the trailhead, supplementing with treated stream water on longer trips. Bug repellent is strongly recommended from June through mid-July. Gaiters help with wet swamp crossings in spring and early summer. The trail is marked with blue blazes on trees; a downloaded offline topo map adds confidence in the lowland sections where the blazes can be harder to spot.
Trailhead Access
The southern trailhead is off Forest Road 2258, which is unpaved. Most passenger cars reach the trailhead without difficulty in dry conditions. The northern trailhead parking near M-28 has slightly better road access. No fees and no permits required for day hiking or dispersed camping (as of 2026). Dogs are welcome on leash.
Nearby
The Chapel Loop is the most popular trail in the Munising district and a natural complement to a quieter day on the NCT. The Au Train Lake Trail offers a lakeside loop 20 minutes west of Munising. Check road conditions and any seasonal closures before your visit using our guide to checking conditions before you go. Review Leave No Trace principles before camping in the dispersed areas along this route.