No matter your hiking ability, no matter what time of year, there's a hiking trail in Michigan perfect for getting outside and exploring. Trek along a trail by the sandy shores of the Great Lakes or take a walk through the woods -- the diverse landscapes here provide a gorgeous backdrop for adventure. And if you love to hike, here are 18 of the best hikes in Michigan.

Best Hikes in Michigan

The best hikes in Michigan may also be considered among the most beautiful. Located in Pictured Rocks Natural Lakeshore and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, you'll get jaw-dropping views along the shores of Lake Michigan.

1. Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop

• Location: Munising
• Mileage 10.2-mile loop trail
• Difficulty: Moderate
• FYI: This hike at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore has an elevation gain of 754 feet and will take nearly 4 hours to complete. It's best to use this trail between April and November. Leave your pup at home as dogs are not allowed. The roads leading to the trail close seasonally in winter as they are not plowed.

If views and scenery are your jam, the Mosquito Falls and Chapel Falls via Chapel Loop Trail is for you! This is one of the best hikes in Michigan for a good reason -- any trail with an overlook, a forest, rock formations, and a waterfall is one that everyone loves. Set aside more time than you think you need to hike this trail in order to spend more time at the beach along Lake Superior where you'll find Chapel Falls.

2. Empire Bluff Trail

• Location: Empire
• Mileage 1.5-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Moderate
• FYI: This Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore hike takes less than an hour to complete with an overall elevation gain of 170 feet. March through November are the best times to visit this trail. Leashed dogs are welcome. The Lakeshore charges a fee to enter -- $25 per vehicle, $20 per motorcycle, and $15 per person.

The Empire Bluff Trail offers boardwalks with benches along the way for those who want to rest or sit and admire the views. Hikers can also take in views of Lake Michigan from an observation deck. And if you're looking for a great sunset spot, this is it!

3. Chapel Falls and Chapel Beach

• Location: Shingleton
• Mileage 6.8-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Moderate
• FYI: Another hike at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, this route takes nearly 2.5 hours and has an elevation gain of 410 feet. April through October are the best times to visit. Dogs are not allowed, so leave them at home. Find the Chapel Beach trailhead at the end of Chapel Road. Get here early as the parking lot fills quickly.

The Chapel Falls and Chapel Beach hike starts out along the bluff and eventually leads to the sand. Once you hit the beach, take your shoes off and feel the sand between your toes. The mouth of the Chapel River can be seen from the beach as well as Chapel Rock. You'll agree that this is one of the best hiking trails in Michigan.

Best Short & Easy Hikes in Michigan

Whether you're a beginner at hiking or want to take children out on the trails, a short and sweet hike is your best bet. But just because these trails are short doesn't mean they are any less beautiful than longer trails. Here are a few of the best short and easy trails for hiking in Michigan.

4. Chapel Falls

• Location: Shingleton
• Mileage 3-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: This easy trail at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore will take just over an hour to complete with an elevation gain of only 167 feet. Dogs aren't allowed on the trail so leave them at home.

As you can see, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is one of the best places to hike in Michigan. Now, this particular trail is for those looking for an easy hike. It leads to through the woods with plenty of shade and offers three lookouts with waterfall views. You'll love this trail!

5. Miners Falls Trail

• Location: Munising
• Mileage 1.2-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: If you love easy waterfall hikes at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, here's another one. May through October are the best times to visit this trail which takes about a half hour to complete with an elevation gain of 154 feet. The trailhead is located off Miners Castle Road.

Miners Falls Trail leads to viewpoints over both Miners Basin and Miners River. You'll also see a gorgeous cascade from a viewing platform. It's simply breathtaking!

6. Miners Castle Trail

• Location: Munising
• Mileage 0..5-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: An even shorter and easier hike at Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, this trail is kid-friendly. It's also partially paved so wheelchair and stroller-friendly as well, at least part of the way. Leashed dogs are also allowed.

Miners Castle Trail is a perfectly easy family-friendly hike that leads to spectacular Lake Superior views. If you don't want to hike, there's a viewing platform close to the parking lot. This is also a wonderful spot to view the sunset!

Hardest Hikes in Michigan

For more of an avid trekker who's up for a challenge and adventure, a longer, more strenuous trail may be ideal. Between Isle Royal National Park, the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, and Manistee National Forest, you'll have plenty of ground to cover on the following trails that make for some of the hardest hikes in Michigan. Just make sure you prepare well ahead of time for one of these challenging treks.

7. Mt. Ojibway to McCargoe Cove via Greenstone Ridge Trail

• Location: Rock Harbor
• Mileage 18.1-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Hard
• FYI: This challenging hike at Isle Royale National Park takes over 7.5 hours to complete and has an elevation gain of 2,326 feet. May through September are the optimal times to visit this trail. There's a park fee of $7 per person.

Isle Royale National Park is comprised of a set of islands in Lake Superior so you'll need to get here by ferry. Hiking the Greenstone Ridge Trail is a challenge, to say the least, but the trek can be broken up over the course of two or three days if you're up for a camping adventure as well. Throughout the hike, you'll see plenty of wildlife and views. It's certainly worth the effort!

8. Government Peak Loop

• Location: Ontonagon
• Mileage 14.7-mile loop trail
• Difficulty: Hard
• FYI: Located in Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, this difficult hike takes over 6.5 hours to complete with an elevation gain of 2,181 feet. April through October are the best times of year to visit. Leashed dogs are welcome on this trail. A Recreation Passport must be purchased to access this park by motorized vehicle.

Located within Michigan's largest state park, the Government Peak Loop at Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park is a popular route for hiking, camping, and backpacking. While you can certainly do the trek in a day, you may want to consider spending the night. That will also allow you to spend even more time exploring this park in the Upper Peninsula.

9. North Country Trail: Manistee River Section

• Location: Wellston
• Mileage 19.2-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Hard
• FYI: This lengthy Manistee National Forest trail takes nearly 8 hours to complete and has an elevation gain of 2,099 feet. March through October are the best times to use this trail. Dogs are welcome and can go off-leash in some areas.

Prepare for a challenge with this hike in the Manistee National Forest. Take plenty of water, food, and other gear -- you'll need it! Consider camping overnight to break the hike up and enjoy more time in this gorgeous part of Michigan. It's a great idea for a weekend getaway in nature!

Best Waterfront Hikes in Michigan

Surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes and with nearly 3,300 miles of shoreline, there are endless opportunities to hike along the water in the state. Here are some of the best places to hike in Michigan where you'll have water views.

10. Bond Falls Loop

• Location: Bruce Crossing
• Mileage 1-mile loop trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: This easy and popular trail at Bond Falls Scenic Site is dog and kid-friendly as well as wheelchair and stroller-friendly. A Michigan Recreation Passport is required to enter the park.

If you love waterfalls, this trail to Bond Falls is short and sweet and picturesque. Remember to bring your camera! You'll want to snap plenty of pics to remember your time here.

11. Kalamazoo River Valley Trail

• Location: Kalamazoo
• Mileage 30.6-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Moderate
• FYI: This paved trail is popular for hiking and biking. Leashed dogs are welcome. Free parking is available.

The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail is over 30 miles long but you can pick and choose what part of the trail to start on and do as many miles as you'd like. Along the trail, you'll go through wooded areas as it runs alongside the Kalamazoo River. What a wonderfully long path to spend some time on!

12. Mackinac Island Outer Loop

• Location: Mackinac Island
• Mileage 8-mile loop trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: Mackinac Island State Park is accessible via a ferry from the mainland. This long path is paved and, therefore, wheelchair and stroller-friendly.

If you've never been to Mackinac Island, you're missing out. One of the best ways to experience this gorgeous destination in Michigan is via this easy loop trail that circumnavigates the island. This trail is popular among hikers and bikers and is covered by a tree canopy for much of the way.

Best Winter Hikes in Michigan

Michigan may get to sub-zero temperatures during the winter but that doesn't mean you have to spend the entire season indoors. There are several hikes that are perfect for the winter months. Here are some of the best winter hikes in Michigan.

13. Eben Ice Caves Trail

• Location: Eben Junction
• Mileage 2.2-mile out-and-back trail
• Difficulty: Moderate
• FYI: This trail is located in the Rock River Canyon Wilderness. If hiking in winter, make sure you have the proper footwear including microspikes to make this hike easier.

You'll enter a fairytale once you visit the Eben Ice Caves. The hike here is a must if you're looking to hit the trails in the winter. Between the frozen waterfalls and massive icicles, it's an awe-inspiring place to see with your own eyes.

14. Mackinac Cut and Wild Turkey XC Ski Trail

• Location: Higgins Lake
• Mileage 1.9-mile loop trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: A Michigan Recreation Passport is required to enter Au Sable State Forest where this trail is located. The Wild Turkey XC Ski Trail is popular for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The Wild Turkey XC Ski Trail is closed seasonally from April through December.

Spend some time in the Au Sable State Forest this winter. Take a hike or bring your skis or snowshoes to explore this winter wonderland!

15. Rolling Hills, Trappers Cabin, and Manitou Loop

• Location: Roscommon
• Mileage 5.1-mile loop trail
• Difficulty: Moderate
• FYI: Another trail at Au Sable State Forest, this is also popular for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Use of this trail is best from December through March. You can pick up this trail system at the Cross Country Ski Headquarters.

Get outside this winter for some epic cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, or hiking. Au Sable State Forest is one of the best places to hike in Michigan in the winter. Covered in a blanket of white, it will be like spending time in a snow globe.

Best Hikes near Lansing

Lansing is the capital city of Michigan and offers wonderful parks and green spaces for residents and visitors to enjoy. If you don't have time to leave the city but want to immerse yourself in nature for a while, here are some of the best hikes near Lansing.

16. Hawk Island Loop via Scott Woods

• Location: Lansing
• Mileage 2.4-mile loop trail
• Difficulty: Easy
• FYI: This loop trail in Lansing's Hawk Island County Park is paved and good for wheelchairs and strollers. At the north end of the trail off Clifton Avenue is a parking lot with one designated accessible parking spot. The park charges a vehicle entrance fee.

Known as an epic spot for snow tubing in the winter, Hawk Island County Park is a wonderful park to spend some time no matter what season it is. This 100-acre property is a newer park in Lansing that offers trails, a playground, a concession stand, a swimming beach, and a dog park. Plan on spending the day here!

17. Anderson Park Green and Red Trails