Fresh air does the body good, they say, and Michigan is rife with indispensable nature and hiking trails. Put on some real pants and find solace at these 30 scenic trails, all of which are a short drive from Detroit.

Hines Drive Ramble Westland The park Hines Drive runs through is a soothing retreat in an urban area. There are both paved and unpaved paths, and plenty of places to hang out in this sprawling park. Be careful not to go after a super rainy day! Photo via Instagram user @nealiio, @nealaustinphotography
Bird Hills Trail Ann Arbor Ann Arbor’s largest park and maybe the most densely forested. It’s a hilly trail with plenty of wonderful views, and a serene getaway from the city. Photo via Instagram user @deanna_lynnn
Novi Tree Farm Trail Novi Novi Tree Farm is a popular destination for biking, but is spread out into a variety of trails. The vegetation is lush and the wildlife pleasing. Dogs are welcome and Novi residents get in for free. Photo via Instagram user @tiffsquire24
Potawatomi Trail Pinckney Recreation Area This 17.5-mile round-trip loop is great for a hike and features many streams and lakes, including Halfmoon Lake, Blind Lake, and Watson Lake. Photo via Instagram user @4boysandme_exploring
Lake Erie Metro Park Cherry Marsh Trail Brownstown Charter Township When you’re not enjoying this nature center, beach, or any of the many other niceties offered there, you can take a hike on their marsh trail. Lake Erie Metro Park is more meadow-y than most of the areas listed here and is a popular bird-watching location. Plus, it’s just a short drive from the city. Photo via Instagram user @monsumomo
North Bay Trail Ypsilanti Good for all things water-related, North Bay Park’s trail is super relaxing and leisurely, having water on either side of the loop. The park includes fishing spots and a boardwalk as well. Photo via Instagram user @christinathetraveler
Nichols Arboretum Trails Ann Arbor There are two trails at Nichols Arboretum, both of which offer their own experience. The first is the informative Clean Water Trail, which passes by the Huron River and has signs detailing how water gets polluted and how it is prevented at the Arboretum. The Laurel Ridge Trail is populated by beautiful and carefully-preserved flowers, shrubs, and trees. Photo via Instagram user @nvg_pix
Addison Oaks Mountain Bike Trail Leonard Adventure seekers, hike on over to this trail. Tie on your most comfortable hiking shoes, and pack your thermos of coffee, ’cause this trail is a whopper at 12.3 miles. Biker and hiker friendly, this trail has many bridges, hills, highlands, and low lands that will give you the hike of your life. Photo via Instagram user @ajsoder
Algonac State Park Marine City This park is 1,500 acres and has lots of densely wooded and very lush trails. As an added feature this park has breathtaking views of the St. Clair River. Photo via Instagram user @take_a_hike_brooke
Bog Trail Waterloo, Chelsea One of five trails of Waterloo Recreation Area, the Bog Trail makes for the most unique hike. At 1.5 miles in length, the Bog Trail leads hikers to a floating bog in Cedar Lake. Photo via Instagram user @peterschriemer
Border-to-Border Trail Ann Arbor This extensive trail goes on for about ten miles, following the Huron River. The trail connects Hudson Mills metro park to downtown Dexter. Along the way, you’ll see great views of the river, bikers, hikers, and joggers, and walk by University of Michigan’s medical campus. Photo via Instagram user @meekphoto
Clinton River Trail Northern Oakland County The Clinton River Trail is LONG, precisely 16 miles long, and pretty much passes through every major city in northern Oakland County. Another cool thing about this trail is that it connects to other ones in the area including the Paint Creek Trail and Macomb Orchard Trail so you can hit three of the trails on this list, if you’re brave enough, that is. Photo via Instagram user @roxyandavery
Graham Lakes Trail Lake Orion Also known as the Orange Loop, this trail goes on for 3.6 miles. This trail is the biggest out of the Bald Mountain Recreation Area’s trails. Hikers can expect to see six gorgeous lakes and trek over many hills and ridges, one of the highest points reaching 60 feet. Photo via Instagram user @lisa_in_detroit
Detroit River International Wildlife Refuge Grosse Ile Located along the western shoreline of Lake Erie, this wildlife refuge features many hiking trails that allow visitors to be immersed in nature. The beautiful view of Lake Erie will surely make your Insta feed. Photo via Instagram user @peterschriemer
Lake St. Clair Metropark Harrison Twp. Not only does this park have a one-mile boardwalk and seemingly endless trails through marsh and wetlands, but it is a fun place to bring the whole family for an afternoon of fun. If you’re delicate enough, you might get extra lucky and catch a glimpse of a deer. Photo via Instagram user @amanda.jane_k
Park Lyndon County Park Lyndon Township One of southeastern Michigan’s finest natural area preserves, this hilly terrain has a great view of Lake Genevieve. The trail connects to the state’s Waterlook-Pinkney Trail for a combined hiking experience of almost 50 miles. Photo via Instagram user @kfxb
Lyon Oaks County Park Wixom Maybe your pooch’s new years resolution is to exercise more, too. The Lyon Oaks County Park has a 13-acre fenced in dog park so your dog can run free while you play fetch with it. There are roughly six miles of trails, too, where you can go for a cool down walk with your best fuzzy friend. Photo via Instagram user @moment_capt_by_pj
Macomb Orchard Trail Northern Macomb County Another huge trail. For those who live in Richmond or Shelby Township, you need to hit up this trail. Clocking in at 24 miles, comfortable shoes and high stamina are a must, but the scenic views are well worth it. With multiple entrances in Richmond, Armada, and Shelby Twp. for parking, you can build your hike however you want. Photo via Instagram user @kaydub1023
Maybury State Park Hiking Trail Northville This hiker-friendly trail is a gem for those wanting to escape suburbia. The four mile hike takes you through rolling hills and other trails in the park. If you get winded, there are picnic tables and restrooms clearly labeled and spread throughout the trail so you can stop and check out the beautiful scenery before it’s winter again. Photo via Instagram user @britts_pixels
Bluebird Loop Trail Lake Orion The Bluebird Loop Trail at Orion Oaks is a birdwatcher’s dream come true. Park vehicle permit is required for access to the trail, which are $30 for Oakland County residents and $48 for non-residents. Photo via Instagram user @michael92279
River Bends Mountain Bike Trail Shelby Township This trail that’s a part of Holland Ponds Park’s Great Blue Heron Rookery takes you through 4.3 miles of pure nature. You can adventurously bike or hike your way through these winding woods. Photo via Instagram user @kaitjac
Paint Creek Trail Rochester This trail is 8.9 miles long and was the first non-motorized rail-to-trail in the state of Michigan. It used to be a rail for trains, but was converted into a nice trail for runners or people who want to walk their dogs. The trail is gorgeous and goes through Rochester, Rochester Hills, and Lake Orion. Photo via Instagram user @chyubecca
Rolling Hills Park Ypsilanti This park has five miles of paved trails, and three miles of hiking trails that have stunning views and observation decks for that perfect Instagram post. Oh, and there are sections that are accessible for people that are handicapped. The trails are dog friendly, so don’t leave Fido at home on this one. Photo via Instagram user @papajoethebuffalo
Stoney Creek Metropark Shelby Township Stoney Creek is probably among the more popular metroparks in Michigan. When hiking on one of the parks many trails, you might run into a fellow hiker or two. Just dress breezy and start hiking! Daily fee: $10 per vehicle. Photo via Instagram user @daveandgretch
Waterloo-Pinckney Recreation Hiking Trail Waterloo Township Bring snacks and make sure to stretch, this is a long one at 18.6 miles. The Waterloo-Pinckney takes hikers along a back trail through woods for a great winter scenic walk. This hike is canine friendly but it is not for beginners. You have been warned. Photo via Instagram user @t3nd3r4oot
Bald Eagle-Blue Heron Hike Sumpter Township A distance of up to 4.5 miles, this trail is a part of the Crosswinds Marsh County Park. You’ll walk on boardwalks, and maybe even see an eagle or two. Photo via Instagram user @mrsrioux
Mother Earth Trail Ray Like Disneyworld, the Wolcott Mill Metropark combines four parks in one. A historic site, golf course, and nature park, Wolcott Mill is also home to the Mother Earth Trail, a beautiful hike just along the riverbanks and walk through land that was used by Native Americans. Photo via Instagram user @infamousbillmurray

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