Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail

Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail – Jump on the longest designated state trail in the nation as you hike or bike your way between Belle Isle Park in Detroit and Ironwood in the Upper Peninsula. Explore pristine forests, pass cool rivers and visit charming towns, and find out why Michigan is known as “The Trails State.” The 1,273-mile hiking route (69% complete) incorporates a large portion of the existing North Country National Scenic Trail. It traverses the west side of the Lower Peninsula and borders Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula. The 791-mile bicycle route (64% complete) utilizes existing multi-use trails and follows US-2, a designated national bicycling route in the Upper Peninsula. Our local portion of the trail runs from the Depot park, into Hurley WI, and continuing to Bessemer with expansion to Wakefield MI in the near future.


Ironwood to Ramsay

Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail starts (going East) and ends (going West) in Downtown Ironwood at beautiful Depot Park! Enjoy hiking and biking along the miles of trail that run from Ironwood to Ramsay. And, while you are enjoying “mile 0” of the trail, stop into the historic Ironwood Depot Museum or walk a block more and explore historic Aurora street, downtown’s historic main thoroughfare.


Connecting Trail Systems

The Iron Belle trail is the backbone trail of the City of Ironwood trail system.  Use the trail to get to the Miners Memorial Heritage Park Mountain Bike Trails, which connects to many of the surrounding neighborhoods.  This trail makes Ironwood a bike friendly community where you can hop right into adventure!


The Historic Depot

Click here for more on the Depot.

Built in 1892, the Chicago and Northwestern Railroad Depot was designed in the Richardson Romanesque style. It was the hub of an elaborate railroad yard operation in the center of Ironwood. As the mines closed, so too did the fortunes of the railroads, with the last iron ore trains ending in 1967 and passenger trains ending their service at the Depot in 1970. Purchased by the City of Ironwood, the Depot was refurbished by a dedicated group of volunteers, and it is now home to the Ironwood Area Historical Society and the Ironwood Area Chamber of Commerce.

 

Learn more about the Miles: Crossroads performance here.