This shuttle hike starts with views of Norwich Bluff and serves up continuous eye candy for nearly its entire 13-mile length. Start at the Norwich Road trailhead and hike 1.3 miles on the North Country Trail to a rock slab with fine views of the Porcupine Mountains and Lake Superior. Take some time to explore Norwich Bluff’s cemetery and mine site, then camp near rock balconies and more dazzling views across an ocean of trees. On day 2, continue east on the NCT; you’ll pass more ledges east of Whisky Hollow Creek, then arrive at a short side trail to Gleason Falls at mile 5.5. The NCT continues east in a steady rolling rhythm—down into mossy nooks and fern gardens, then up to ledges and more views. Finally, Lookout Mountain offers one final sumptuous vista of sparkling Victoria Reservoir before the trail descends to Old Victoria, a restored mining village, at mile 12.7.
Info: (906) 932-1330; www.northcountrytrail.org/pwf
-Hike provided by Eric Hansen, author of Hiking Michigan’s Upper Peninsula (FalconGuide)

Waypoints

NCT001

Location: 46.6808605, -89.3897438

Trailhead