Manistee River Trail Loop
~2 days · 19.3 mi · moderate · Loop
Quick facts
What the Manistee River Trail Loop is known for
Classic Lower Michigan overnight loop near Hodenpyl Dam in the Manistee National Forest, combining the Manistee River Trail on the east bank with the North Country National Scenic Trail on the west bank (about 19-23 miles depending on connectors and spurs). The river is crossed on the Little Mac suspension bridge at the north end and at Red Bridge on Coates Highway to the south, with bluff-top river views and dispersed campsites along the way.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 2,251 ft to 3,691 ft over 19.3 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 7.1 mi · 37%
- Downhill 7.4 mi · 38%
- Flat 4.8 mi · 25%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Manistee River Trail Loop?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Manistee River Trail Loop scores 10/100, a relative rating across the 1,243 trails we've mapped, blending distance, elevation gain, and steepness. It is a comparison within our set, not an official rating.
Frequently asked questions
How many days does the Manistee River Trail Loop take?
Most backpackers hike the Manistee River Trail Loop in about 2 days (1 nights out) over its 19.3 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Manistee River Trail Loop?
The Manistee River Trail Loop climbs roughly 1,667 ft total — about 86 ft per mile, topping out near 1,125 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry from OpenStreetMap, © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0. Stats are approximate and may differ from official surveys; permit rules and conditions change — verify with the managing authority before your trip. Last reviewed July 2026.