The North Country Trail (NCT)
With long distance trail hiking growing in popularity, you are sure to have heard of the Pacific Crest Trail (PCT) and the Appalachian Trail (AT), but have you heard about the North Country Trail (NCT)? Stretching over 4,600 miles through eight states, it’s the longest of the 11 Scenic Trails in the United States. It even passes through our very own state of Michigan!
Creating this long expanse of trail required a breathtaking amount of collaborations and partnerships. In 1980, three existing trails including the Finger Lakes (New York), Baker (Pennsylvania), and Buckeye (Ohio) Trails became affiliates of the North Country Trail Association, thus forming a large stretch of the envisioned trail. Much like putting together a puzzle, pieces of the trail were slowly connected over time to form one giant picture.
In total, over 160 public lands came together to fulfill the vision of a trail for all. This breaks down to over 57 state parks, 47 state forests, 22 state game areas, 7 state water conservation districts, 10 country forests and parks, and a handful of private land owners that have granted access to their property. As you can imagine, there’s so much to see and do along the way. For the majority of those that don’t plan on thru-hiking, here are a few must-see highlights from several states that you won’t want to miss.
Adirondack State Park – New York
Known for its fall foliage and rapids, Adirondack State Park is a great stretch of the trail to check out. In fact, hikers have shared that you will take in some of the best views of the mountainous region by following the NCT.
Tionesta Lake – Pennsylvania
The NCT will lead you near a six-mile-long lake nestled in the hills of Pennsylvania. If you plan your visit around fall, prepare yourself to take in jaw-dropping fall foliage.
Beaver Creek State Park – Ohio
Located in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, Beaver Creek State Park offers scenic trails, rugged wilderness, and abandoned canal locks.
Chapel Rock – Michigan 
We might be biased, but this is one of our favorite parts of the trail. Walk along Lake Michigan’s coast and take in the blue-green waters and dramatic cliffs of Pictured Rocks. Chapel Rock is one of the main attractions to check out!
Chequamegon National Forest – Wisconsin
Hike the 60-plus miles of off-road NCT in the Chequamegon National Forest. This spot is a national attraction and offers great trails and wildlife scenery. This section also offers the solitude of two federally designated Wilderness Areas for a more quiet stroll.
With over 4,600 miles of trails, it’s impossible to cover all the cool spots you can see. What are some of your favorite areas? Where will you start? We’d love to hear from you! And as always, let’s keep safety in mind. Please make sure to check with local and national parks regarding any COVID-19 restrictions before planning your trip. State guidelines are varying on accessibility. Currently the North Country Trail Association is encouraging users to check in here for up-to date closures.
Sources:
Header Image – https://northcountrytrail.org/the-trail/explore-the-trail/
Information – https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Country_Trail
