North Eastern State Trail

About the Trail

Rural Michigan like no other

The North Eastern State Trail (NEST) is a beautiful rural trail like no other as it traverses farmlands and former lumber towns across the region. It is surfaced with crushed limestone, and its flat terrain makes for easy cycling through rural landscapes and forgotten places. Highlights include the Metz and Millersburg historic sites, beautiful river crossings, and views of Tower and Kleber ponds as well as Mullett Lake. The trail towns of Alpena, Posen, Millersburg, Onaway, and Cheboygan provide amenities for trail users, and scenic stops in Metz, Hawks, Tower, and Aloha offer excellent rest areas. If you want to experience the quiet of rural Michigan, with more wildlife than people, this is the trail for you.

The improvements to the former railroad corridor were completed in 2011 through a true collaboration between two state departments, local governments, and a nonprofit organization. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources owns and manages the trail; the Michigan Department of Transportation completed the engineering and project oversight; and the Top of Michigan Trails Council helped create the funding package — 60% through a Federal Transportation Grant, 20% from MDOT, 15% from the DNR via the Michigan Natural Resources Trust Fund, and 5% from local units of government.

All non-motorized users (including horses) are welcome year-round, and snowmobiles from December 1 to March 31. Note: at times this rural trail has limited cell coverage — be prepared to perform simple repairs, since some areas are very remote with limited road access.

Segments, south to north

Alpena to Posen — 16.6 miles. From the Alpena trailhead on Woodward Street (which connects directly with the 18-mile Alpena Bi-Path into downtown), the trail heads northwest through farm and forest lands to the Village of Posen, passing the former lumber towns of Cathro and Bolton. Look for a sinkhole north of Maple Lake Road; there is a winery near the trail off Truckey Road and a bar/restaurant in Bolton.

Posen to Metz — 5.6 miles. Mostly wild land with some cultivated farm areas. Bends in the trail and small grade changes make this section interesting to ride. Metz Historic Trailside Park is a great destination with an interpretive display about the 1908 fire.

Metz to Hawks — 4.3 miles. Metz has a full-service trailhead on County Road 441 with parking, water, a playground, a picnic pavilion, and a historic interpretive site about the 1908 Metz Fire. The trail continues to meander through farmlands, wetlands, and forest.

Hawks to Millersburg — 8.9 miles. The trail passes through wetlands, hunting lands, and the former Big Cut quarry before reaching the Village of Millersburg and its historic depot and park.

Millersburg to Onaway — 9.2 miles. Millersburg’s modern trailhead is a destination in itself; the depot is the last remaining on this trail and houses a local history museum. Just west of Millersburg the trail crosses the Ocqueoc River, then crosses rivers and wetlands with wonderful views before reaching Onaway and the unique Awakon sculpture park.

Onaway to Tower — 3.6 miles. A short segment through wetlands and forest before crossing the Black River at Tower Pond — a beautiful location with a small dam north of the bridge.

Tower to Aloha — 13.9 miles. Crossing through nine miles of Mackinaw State Forest, this segment is remote and beautiful, running along and across sections of Kleber Pond and its tributaries, with hardwood forest, creek crossings, wetlands, and beaver ponds, before entering Aloha State Park.

Aloha State Park to Cheboygan — 7.8 miles. Heading north from Aloha, the trail runs along the east side of Mullett Lake with outstanding views, crosses the Cheboygan River on a historic trestle bridge, then heads through farmland into the City of Cheboygan. From the Cheboygan trailhead you can continue on the North Central State Trail northeast to Mackinaw City or south to Indian River and Gaylord.