The mission of the north country trail association ncta is to develop, maintain, protect and promote the north country national scenic trail as the premier hiking path across the northern tier of the united states through a trailwide coalition of volunteers and partners. As the story of their adventures unfolds, blue blazes provide the reader with interesting and useful facts about the north country trail. The terminus sign was absent, having been blown down during a semi recent storm, not with a whimper, or a bang, but a more of a sigh as i meet my father, and. North country national scenic trail hiker journals. North country trail attractions visit butler county. Blazing a new wilderness trail in modern america, and the pacific northwest trail guide. This comprehensive guide provides descriptions and resources for the 775 miles of trail in minnesota, with detailed maps and descriptions for the 163. The north country trail is the longest of americas eleven congressionally designated national scenic trails. Hiking all of the north country trail in pennsylvania. The north country trail is a scenic hiking trail that stretches 4,600 miles from north dakota to new york.
North country national scenic trail allegheny site. National scenic trail that runs through 7 states north dakota, minnesota, wisconsin, michigan, ohio, pennsylvania and new york in the northcentral and northeastern u. The trail is blazed white instead of the normal nct blue during this stretch. Trail maps and downloads north country trail association. Built and maintained primarily by volunteers of the north country trail association, its planned route of 4,625 miles will make it the longest of the countrys eight national scenic trails. North country trail is a childrens book about four friends who are members of the north country trail association and love to hike the north country national scenic trail. North country trail south kent county line to newaygo. Winding through seven statesnew york, pennsylvania, ohio, michigan, wisconsin, minnesota, and north dakotathe ncts 4,600 miles attract more than one million visitors annually. The north country trail spans over 4,600 miles and 7 states. North country trail south kent county line to newaygo of kent and newaygo county, michigan. North country trail northern michigan trail maps first. Sample and savor the north country national forest.
Additional miles follow shared paths, and some road walks yet remain. Midstate trail, which is a nice trail crow hill, mt. Founded in 1965, north country books publishes and distributes quality books and gifts for new york state and northern new england. Falls river trail is a short footpath beginning near the lanse waterfront park thatleads to a fishing area and series of small waterfalls on the falls river. A paved, multiuse pathway that parallels the bronx river parkway brochure and map map. The dense trees and ground cover create a wonderful backdrop for a spectacular experience in nature.
The north country trail national scenic trail crosses eight northern states, from new york to north dakota. Trail standards are fairly consistent across the nation, and these referrals were made with a certain degree of confidence. Minnesota nct guidebook release north country trail association. Land managers also have more information and sitespecific maps. On the other side of the state, the north country trail enters minnesota near jay cooke state park, thus joining the superior, border route, and kekekabic trails. The north country national scenic trail stretches from adirondack park in eastern new york state to lake sakakawea in western north dakota. The north country national scenic trail running from north dakota to new york is one of the nations bestkept secrets. All distances are full for the 2019 race, but fill out the wait list form and be notified when 2020 registration opens later this year. North country trail in manistee county, mi trail map and. The trail is the longest national scenic trail in the united states. Fewer than 20 people have completed the entire north country trail.
The title of this book refers to a national scenic trail the north country national scenic trail, which stretches from north dakota and ends in port henry, ny, crossing north dakota, minnesota, wisconsin, michigan, ohio, pennsylvania and new york. The midstate hooks up to the wapack trail which goes on the pack monadnock in nh. He is the author of seven books, including a memoir, pathfinder. North county trailway map south county trailway at old. Catch the trailhead from the bike rental parking lot. North country trail manistee county tourism manistee, michigan. Forest service as the ncts largest land manager, work together under a memorandum of understanding and are usually referred to as the triad of groups. In 1981 the north country trail association ncta was founded, as a nonprofit, to work with the national park service nps to build, maintain and promote the trail.
Go to the north country trail association website to plan your adventure. Wampum chapter north country trail association home. North dakota, minnesota, wisconsin, michigan, ohip, pennsylvania, new york. Trail map of the north county trailway from south county trailway at old saw mill river road elmsford to putnam trailway at ny 118tomahawk st. This site is part of the north country national scenic trail that when finished will stretch more than 4,000 miles from new york to north dakota. North dakota, minnesota, wisconsin, both peninsulas of. I have heard the trail is not well maintained on the west side of the park, so that will be made tougher with the snow of course. Ron strickland is a noted trail developer, author, and conservationist. Stefanik requests all inmates be tested for covid19 before transfers story from, may, 9. Welcome to the north country national scenic trail nct. Check out our long distance hiking page for details on our long distance hiking recognition. North country trail manistee 2020 all you need to know. Across prairies, the north woods, and the wilderness paperback june 15, 2018 by linda d. It begins fairly level with soft limestone, passing an optional diversion highly recommended on the butterfly loop trail in the first mile.
The north country trail the university of michigan press. The north country trail is part of the national scenic trail system and is a work in progress. But every year, many hikers challenge themselves to attempt longer and longer distances on the nct, many of them checking off newtothem sections, accumulating more and more unique miles. The online trail shop is under construction temporarily. North country trail out and back hiking trail, prospect. Currently around 27% of the trail completed and itching for a challenge. This book is the definitive guide for nct hikerswhether firsttimers, seasoned backpackers, or any level in betweenwho wish to maximize their experience on. If you can, please visit our headquarters trail shop in lowell, michigan for ncta gear. It travels across 7 states, beginning at lake sakakawea state park in north dakota stretching all the way to crown point state historic site in new york at the vermont state line.
The trail is being constructed by the volunteers of the north country trail association. Winding through seven statesnew york, pennsylvania, ohio, michigan, wisconsin, minnesota, and north dakotathe ncts 4,600. New clarion loop trail spur added to north country trail best trails and viewpoints for fall foliage in the pennsylvania great outdoors top 10 fall adventures in the pennsylvania great outdoors part two. The trail continues southward in mason county and to the north in wexford county.
North country trail map pennsylvania currently under construction, this major national scenic trail will some day run 3,200 miles, stretching from new york to north dakota. He is one of only two living founders of national scenic trails. Once you hit the lake its back onto regular roads, tracking alongside the lake with a couple miles of trail leading into lake sakakawea state park for the end of the north country trail. The north country trail university of michigan press. Guide to the north country national scenic trail in. Guide to hiking the north country trail in minnesota. The north country trail enters new york in allegany state park and follows the finger lakes trail for almost 380 miles as it winds its way eastward through the southern part of the state. The north country trail has hundreds of miles running right through the heart of northern michigan. Handbook for trail design, construction and maintenance. Of these north country trail finishers, even fewer have thru hiked the trails 4600 miles battling winter on both ends. I have been considering that 47 mile trek to be completed over 23 days.
The north country trail is one of 11 national scenic trails in the united states, sharing the designation of the famous appalachian and pacific crest trails. North country trail handbook download, complete north country trail handbook for trail design, maintenance and construction. North country trail friendsweve just announced an rfp to create the first comprehensive ncnst trail guide book. The butterfly loop trail is marked and is a short, scenic grass trail that ends back on the main trail.
The worcester amc chapter section hikes the midstate trail every year. However, completed sections of the north country national scenic trail are significantly different in terms of trail standards, signing, location in the areas landscape, and maintenance. About north country trail northern segment hikers will find maps, directions and routes for the northern michigan section here from approximately elmira to mackinaw city. There are several hundred continuous offroad miles which can be hiked within the manistee national forest and northward. I hope to hike the north country trail before im too old. The mission of the north country trail association ncta is to develop, maintain, protect and promote the north country national scenic trail as the premier hiking path across the northern tier of the united states through a trail wide coalition of volunteers and partners.
The north country national scenic trail is a premier hiking and backpacking trail that travels for more than 4,000 miles through seven northern states from lake sakakawea state park in north dakota to crown point, new york. This book is dedicated to the hundreds of volunteers and partner agencies whose invaluable efforts made this trail possible. A paved, multiuse path that spans north through the heart of westchester for 22. The north country national scenic trail, generally known as the north country trail or simply the n. This beautiful trail is part of the national parks trails system and when completed, the 4,600mile national scenic trail will be the longest continuous hiking trail in the united states, traversing through eight states, from vermont to north dakota. I have run on the north country trail during a half marathon and full marathon, so ive traveled at least 30 miles of this moderately technical trail.
The trail will stretch for about 4600 miles linking communities, forests, mountains, and prairies across seven northern states. The ncta is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that partners with the. Nestled in the manistee national forest you will find hundreds of miles of marked trails for those who. As always, i welcome this transition, but each time i do so with a small dose of seemingly incurable apprehension. The book includes 42 new maps produced by matt rowbotham of the north country trail association. This is just one segment of a 4400 mile national scenic trail. The best walks, hikes, and backpacking trips on americas longest national scenic trail by. Already, more than 2100 miles have been certified offroad. The pennsylvania portion will be about 180 miles long, traversing the northwestern part of the state, an area of rolling hills and valleys. Ncnst trail guide book north country trail association. Our selection includes history, biography, folklore, nature, field and trail guides, art, photography, and more. The official guidebook for long distance and day hikers. It passes through 12 national forests with much of our region being contained within the huronmanistee national forest.