Hiking Trails Around Calumet
Hiking trails around Calumet include many old mines and the beautiful Lake Superior coastline.
Black Creek Nature Area Trailhead
Black Creek Nature Trailhead 4.5 miles of flat to rolling trails and considered a moderate trail. Directions to this trail system: follow US-41 on the north end of Calumet and turn west on M-203, and travel about 1.25 miles to Tamarack Waterworks Road and turn right. Travel 2.5 miles on Tamarack Waterworks Road to Cedar Bay Road and turn right again. Follow Cedar Bay Road 2.5 miles until reaching the Black Creek trailhead sign on the right, about 0.2 miles from the end of the public road. Park alongside the road. The trail begins on a flat sandy landscape and eventually makes its way down to Lake Superior and then loops around back to the original trail and back to the trailhead. There are 10 different beaches located on this trail. Excellent for snowshoeing in the winter.
Conglomerate Falls Nature Area
A mile-long hike around Conglomerate falls.
Gardeners Creek Nature Trail
Calumet, MI Trail through woods with local plants, berries, and trees marked & identified for the hiker. West of Calumet on Lake Shore Drive at the Calumet Township Park
1 mile
Gratiot Lake Preserve
Two separate short trails are in this preserve. The Bear Paw Path is 3.6 miles there and back. Little Gratiot River trail is 0.5 miles there and back. The trails are considered moderate over flat to the rolling trails. Directions to the trail: follow US-41 about 17 miles north of Calumet, turn south, (right) at Central onto Gratiot Lake Road for 4.6 miles to Gratiot Lake and then turn right on Iron Gate Road. Follow Iron Gate Road for 4.8 miles to the south side of Gratiot Lake and then turn left on Conservancy Road. This road will take you to the Little Gratiot River Trail. Along this road will be a marker for Noblet Lane, which will take you 0.8 miles to the Bear Paw Path along Gratiot Lake.
Gratiot Lake Overlook Nature Sanctuary
A moderate 1.5 miles roundtrip up a 400-foot gradual rise trail finalizes in a spectacular view of Gratiot Lake. It can be reached by following US-41 for about 17 miles north of Calumet, then turn south (right) at Central onto Gratiot Lake Road for 5 miles to the bottom of the hill. Turn left and drive 0.75 miles to the DNR public access site on Gratiot Lake. Park and then cross the road to reach the trailhead. A short spur allows the hiker to view Eister Falls and the gorge through which it flows.
Gratiot River County Park
A one-mile walk along Lake Superior Shores with moderate difficulty. There are no trails. Getting there, travel north on US-41 from Calumet and turn left onto Five Mile Point Road in the Village of Ahmeek. Follow Five Mile Point Road for one mile to the Ahmeek (Calvary) Cemetery and turn left onto Gratiot River (Shortcut) Road (unpaved) and travel four miles to the Gratiot River County Park at the mouth of the Gratiot River on Lake Superior. The Gratiot River Recreation Area includes 4000 feet of Lake Superior sand, slate, and cobble shoreline and 3000 feet of the Gratiot River, including the mouth of the Gratiot River. A walk upstream from the mouth of the river includes the Conglomerate Hole (a 150-foot gorge) and an upper falls. Primitive camping is allowed.
Swedetown Recreation Area
Swedetown Recreation Area has more than 25 miles of purpose-built single-track mountain bike trails with maps and trail markers. There are some two-tracks suitable for riding as well. Besides mountain biking, this trail system is enjoyed for nature hikes, dog walking, and trail running. The main trailhead is on Osceola Road in Calumet, look for the big welcome sign at the start of the driveway. You will find parking here. Swedetown Chalet lower level is open for fall cyclists and hikers, with restrooms and drinking water. There is another trailhead on Spruce Street in Calumet and a trailhead on M-203, watch for a big sign near Cloverland Road. There is no required membership fee. Donations to support trail improvement are very welcome – the suggested amount is $5 for a weekend, $25 to be a full-season supporter. See the entire trail system for hiking and biking.
