Horseshoe Bay Trail

Like I’ve said so many times before, I love a shoreline hike, and this Horseshoe Bay Trail gave me the opportunity to hike the shoreline of Lake Huron instead of my usual favourite Lake Superior.

Round trip: 10 km
Difficulty: Moderate
Location: St. Ignace, MI

Click Here for Google Map of this Hike

From St. Ignace drive 3.8 miles North on I-75. Take exit 348 onto business I-75 then quickly left onto the Mackinac Trail. Drive 2.4 miles north and turn right into the Foley Creek Campground of the U.S Forest Service. Drive to the north end of the campground loop to the trail sign for the Horseshoe Bay hiking trail. Park in the spots near the trailhead sign. When the park is closed park instead of on the side of Mackinac Trail road about a quarter-mile past the campground entrance near two large boulders and follows the trail that starts between the boulders a short distance into the trailhead sign.

From the trailhead sign hike north on the trail through the woods to the shore. At the shore facing the lake, head left (north) along the beach. There is a creek that you will need to wade across or cross by making a driftwood bridge in the colder weather. Continue to hike north along the shore which is hard-packed enough to be easy walking for a beach. At about 4km you will have another shallow creek to cross by wading or making a little bridge. At 4.6 km the shore heads toward the East to the first of the points, and at 5 k you will reach the second and larger point. There is a nice bay to explore just past the second point but Martineau Creek, which is larger and more difficult to cross, empties into the bay here making the second point a logical place to turn back.

If you are in the area check out these other nearby Michigan hikes Lake Michigan Beachwalk, Fossil Ledges, and Marblehead.