The Escanaba to Hermansville Rail-Trail runs 25 miles in Michigan's Upper Peninsula following the former Soo Line Railroad built in 1901. The multi-purpose trail can be used by hikers, mountain bikers, equestrians, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) riders, and snowmobilers. It's also part of the state-spanning Iron Belle Trail network, which travels from the UP's Ironwood to Detroit.
On the west end of the trail, in Hermansville, history buffs may want to visit the IXL Museum, which is located just three blocks from the start of the trail and is open seasonally in the summer months. There are a couple of historical buildings on its grounds, including a restored train depot and the former headquarters of the Wisconsin Land & Lumber Company, which was built in the 1880s and is on the National Register of Historic Places.
From Hermansville, the rail-trail rolls northeast through Menominee County and into Delta County. It's heavily wooded and includes three bridges with scenic overlooks. The trail ends in Escanaba, near the Upper Peninsula State Fairgrounds.
The rail-trail was developed by the Michigan DNR in partnership with the American Transmission Co., which placed an electric transmission line within the trail corridor. The company helped fund the trail's construction and will support its maintenance.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!