Waterloo–Pinckney Trail
~3 days · 40.5 mi · moderate · Point-to-point
Quick facts
What the Waterloo–Pinckney Trail is known for
The Waterloo-Pinckney Trail crosses southern Michigan's glacial hills, kettle lakes, and meadows for about 34-38 miles point-to-point between the Waterloo and Pinckney recreation areas. Camping is allowed only at designated campgrounds along the way, which sets the daily stages; most hikers take 3 days.
Elevation profile
Elevation ranges from 2,907 ft to 3,596 ft over 40.5 mi. Measured from OSM geometry (approximate).
- Uphill 11.1 mi · 28%
- Downhill 10.3 mi · 26%
- Flat 18.5 mi · 46%
Ridgefold breaks every route into uphill, downhill, and flat — see the full per-day breakdown in the app.
How hard is the Waterloo–Pinckney Trail?
On the Ridgefold Difficulty Index, the Waterloo–Pinckney Trail scores 14/100, a relative rating across the 569 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 Waterloo–Pinckney Trail take?
Most backpackers hike the Waterloo–Pinckney Trail in about 3 days (2 nights out) over its 40.5 miles, though pace varies with fitness and conditions.
How much elevation gain is on the Waterloo–Pinckney Trail?
The Waterloo–Pinckney Trail climbs roughly 2,323 ft total — about 57 ft per mile, topping out near 1,152 ft.
Related trails
Sources & attribution
Route geometry and stats derived from OpenStreetMap (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) — source relation. 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.