Best Hiking Challenges by Difficulty Level

With 50,000 acres of parks and 123 miles of trails, the Brighton Howell Area is perfect for your next outdoor adventure.

Explore the area for a leisurely, casual stroll under the colorful canopies of trees, or take a heart-pumping climb through rolling hills. Lace up your boots and discover the best hiking challenges by difficulty level.

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Easy Trails

Appleton Trail

Brighton Recreation Area

Nestled in the woodlands of the Brighton Recreation Area lies the Appleton Trail. This 2.6-mile loop is considered easy and takes about 53 minutes to complete. Off the beaten path, it is the perfect place to enjoy solitude and fully immerse yourself in nature.

Wildwing Trail

Kensington Metropark

Starting at the Kensington Metropark Visitors Center, the Wildwing Trail runs 1.9 miles around Wildwing Lake. The lakeside trail offers the opportunity to experience plenty of wildlife while taking in the gorgeous fall colors. It is relatively flat, making it the perfect hike for beginners or those looking for a leisurely stroll.

Mike Levine Lakelands Trail

The Mike Levine Lakelands Trail, which extends 33 miles throughout the Brighton Howell Area, is a great option for those looking for an easy hike. The straightforward path is perfect for a long, uninterrupted walk.

Trailhead locations:

1. Stockbridge Trailhead (M-52 and S. Center St, Stockbridge, MI 49285)

2. Gregory Trailhead (188 Main St, Gregory, MI 48137)

3. Pinckney Trailhead (499 Pearl St, Pinckney, MI 48169)

4. Pettysville Trailhead (Pettysville Road and M-36, Hamburg, MI 48139)

5. Hamburg Trailhead (10699 Hamburg Road, Hamburg, MI 48139)

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Moderate Hikes

Settlers Park

Hartland

Spanning 100 acres in the heart of Hartland Township, Settler’s Park offers a rewarding hiking experience for moderately strenuous walkers. The park features a well-planned trail system consisting of three loops connecting with multiple trailheads. 1.4 miles of the paths are paved, which is ideal for a smooth, accessible walk, with the remaining 6.5 miles being natural surface that wind through wooded areas, open meadows, and gentle hills.

Penosha Trail

Brighton Recreation Area

The Penosha Trail is a classic Michigan hiking spot popular among seasoned hikers. The 5-mile loop winds through rolling hills and dense woodlands through the Brighton Recreation Area. Various connector trails branch off the Penosha Trail, allowing hikers to extend their adventure and explore more of the park’s vast trail network.

Area Parks

No matter your experience level, the Brighton Howell Area has a trail for you. Before planning the ultimate outdoor recreation getaway, snag a visitor’s guide and sign up for our monthly newsletter to help aid you!