The Pictured Rocks Trail Is The Single Most Dangerous Hike In Michigan

Beauty and danger can go hand in hand. One of the most spectacular trails to hike in all of Michigan can be deadly, if you aren’t careful. The North Country National Scenic Trail stretches 4,700 miles, from North Dakota to Vermont. In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, a 41-mile section of the trail skirts the cliffs of the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

While the beauty of this trail is stunning and thousands of hikers safely navigate the trail every year, the potential hazard posed by the cliffs should not be taken lightly – in 2018 a hiker fell to her death after taking a selfie along the trail. Here’s a look at what makes this gorgeous hike so dangerous.

The cliffs along the trail tower 200 feet above the cold waters of Lake Superior. That’s the equivalent of a 20-story building. But if you step out onto the rocks, there will be no guardrail.

AllTrails / Osvaldo Fernandez

Despite the danger, the cliffs are alluring and the sweeping views result in incredible photos. The caves and rocks have been sculpted by the elements into shallow caves, arches, and turrets.

AllTrails / Aaron Schwieterman

But if you step too close to the ledge, the danger is real. Clifftops are covered by loose sand and gravel and there are soft sandstone overhangs that can break.

Alltrails / Meg Pope

Rockfalls are common, posing a danger to hikers above and boaters below.

Alltrails / Jerry Snuggs

A fall from these heights could be deadly.

AllTrails / Chris Mayer

The trail passes through some remote country and the trail can become very muddy and slippery.

AllTrails / Rick Francis

Falling is not the only risk to be aware of. There are black bears in the area - they generally want nothing to do with people and usually pose no risk, but be very careful if you see a mother bear with cubs.

National Park Service

According to the National Park Service, hypothermia is another concern to be aware of, due to the unpredictable weather near Lake Superior. While summer days are often warm, cold and rainy weather can arrive quickly. Don’t count on your cell phone working – many areas of the trail have no cell service. So what do you think of this trail? Have you hiked it before? Share your thoughts in the comments section and here’s a link to the National Parks Service safety information.