Marquette Area Outdoor Activities : Hiking, Waterfalls, Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking

The Western end of Marquette County offers, arguably, some of the finest, if not the finest, mountain biking in the U.P. With the development of the Range Mountain Biking Club Trail System during the summer of 1997, the area has about 35 miles of marked, mapped trails open for biking, with more to come. The SUNTRAC (Suicide Bowl-Hill Street) trail system provides the bulk of the trails at this time, offering trails with all levels of difficulty, from beginner to expert. Hill Streets Lookout Loop, a beginners level trail, offers a couple of scenic overlooks, which give some breathtaking views of Lake Angeline. Sandi's Trail provides some serious ups and downs for the expert level biker, along with a panoramic view of some of the local mining operations. The Suicide Bowl Trails will also offer some very challenging situations to the serious mountain biker.

The Al Quaal Recreation area offers some nice rides on its Red and Blue trails. The Red trail, which starts at the ski lodge, is an intermediate level trail providing a rollercoaster type ride. The Blue trail, which starts near the tow rope building, is a beginners level trail, providing a mellow ride along scenic Teal Lake. The North Teal Lake trail, which is being developed, will offer intermediate to expert level biking along the rugged North shore of Teal Lake.

Harlow Lake
If you have time for only one ride in the Marquette area, this is the one. Although Marquette County is riddled with unmarked singletrack, most of the trails are confusing to the uninitiated. This popular trail system welcomes both newcomers and seasoned locals with its fairly well-marked trails. Combining sections of the North Country Trail, Harlow Lake Trails, and Song Bird Trail, the route boasts some of the best views in the Marquette area. Jumping in and out of forest, up to a rocky lookout, and then back down to Lake Superior, the trail challenges riders with sandy sections and an extremely rocky, rooty 1-mile portion toward the end near Wetmore Landing. The occasional frustration, however, is worth it for the awesome views of Lake Superior and Little Presque Isle. Tread: 7.8 miles of narrow and wide singletrack, 1.3 miles of doubletrack, 0.7 mile of dirt road .

For more information on Mountain Biking in the Marquette Area or the Upper Peninsula please refer to this website to UP Michigan Mountain Bike Trails:


Hiking Trails
Several outstanding hiking trails are available in the Marquette area. Sugarloaf Mountain is a 600 ft. mountain just north of Marquette on County Road 550. Hogs Back Mountain is just about ½ mile on up 550 to the trail entrance up to the Mountain. Check out these pictures from the Top Of Sugarloaf Mountain

The North Country Trail goes trough Marquette from the east up to Little Garlic Falls then westward completely across the county. For more information about the North Country Trial go to this website:


Marquette County Waterfalls
12 beautiful and unique waterfalls within the county are yours to hike into and see. Click on the link below to get a preview and directions to each one.
Marquette County Waterfalls