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The Iron Ore Heritage Trail traverses 47.8 miles across the Marquette Iron Range in Michigan’s beautiful Upper Peninsula. The rail trail, which was designated as a National Recreation Trail in 2018, shares and celebrates the area’s rich mining history with interpretive signage, artwork, and connections to museums along the way. Along the journey, trail users can see many relics from a bygone era: mining shafts, forges, furnaces, and other historical structures.
In the winter, a 2.5-mile section between Jackson Miner's Park in Negaunee and 3rd St. in Ishpeming is groomed for cross-country skiing. Snowmobiling is allowed between Republic and Ishpeming between December 1st and March 31st and other sections of the trail offer parallel snowmobile trails that follow alongside the route.
About the Route
Currently, more than half the trail—28 miles from Ishpeming East to Chocolay Township—is fully complete, half of which is paved and half crushed granite and/or limestone. This section is non-motorized in warm weather and a snowmobile trail from December 1 to March 31 each year.
From Ishpeming West to Republic, the route is an unimproved dirt trail open for hikers, equestrians, mountain bikers, and ATV users. This section of the trail travels west from Ishpeming through the townships of Clarksburg, Humboldt, and Champion. In the community of Republic, the trail follows along the northern edge of a pond to its endpoint at a parking lot off Republic Ave.
The western terminus of the upgraded section is the ski town of Ishpeming. The trail is paved through town and a short spur takes trail-goers along Lakeshore Drive up to the Cliffs Shaft Mine Museum, a former mining site featuring buildings and structures from the early 1900s, as well as artifacts, photographs, and mineral collections.
From Ishpeming, the paved trail continues 2.5 miles east to Negaunee, crossing an area that was fenced off by a mining company for decades. This area has the very first iron ore mine of the Lake Superior region, the Jackson Mine, dating back to 1845. On the east end of town, be sure to take the spur to the Iron Industry Museum, which overlooks the Carp River.
The trailhead in Negaunee offers a picnic shelter, bathrooms with running water, and a filtered water refill station. A part of Jackson Mine Park, the trailhead's improvements also included the Jim Thomas Pavilion—named after a Negaunee native who was a dedicated advocate for the Iron Ore Heritage Trail.
From Negaunee, the trail continues its eastward journey 12 miles to Marquette. This section of the trail includes Pete's Pass, which is a paved, multi-use underpass that takes the Iron Ore Heritage trail under US-41 and provides a safer highway crossing. Marquette is the largest community on the trail and a major port on Lake Superior. The trail continues southeast along the waterfront to reach its eastern end at Kawbawgam Road in Chocolay Township.
Connections
At the trail's western end in Republic, trail users can continue along the Republic/Champion Grade Trail.
In Marquette, trail users can connect with the Marquette Multi-Use Path
The Iron Ore Heritage Trail is part of the Iron Belle Trail, two routes that cross over 2,000 miles, and both peninsulas of Michigan.
Trail History
The Iron Ore Heritage Trail follows several former railroads, some dating back to the 1850s, built to carry the iron ore from the mines to the Lake Superior harbor: the Marquette and Western Railroad; the Duluth, South Shore, and Atlantic Railway; the Soo Line; and the Lake Superior and Ishpeming Railroad.
The Iron Ore Heritage Trail runs between Republic Ave. (Republic) and 101 Co Rd BI (Marquette), with parking available at both ends.
Parking is also available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
We rode the trail on a July morning--68 degrees and sunny, perfect for biking--from downtown Marquette to Ishpeming and back, a total of about 37 miles, with a side trip to the Michigan Iron Industry Museum. This trail totally exceeded my expectations in terms of scenery and historical information. It had a terrific asphalt surface for 75% of the way and the gravel sections were smooth and easy. The first six miles out of Marquette are quite steep and there are many up and down sections along the whole trail. This only added interest and fun (compared to some flat, straight rail trails). We ride Class 1 e-bikes so we had assist when we needed it. Lots of benches and a few restrooms along the way. Encountered a charming group of children on decorated bikes parading through Negaunee along the way. Perfect!
Highly recommend the Midtown Bakery and Cafe in Check out the Herbed Lemonade--right along the main street across the street from the Love and Bicycles bike shop downtown. (One member of our group of 6 needed a wheel repair and the bike store had this done in two hours.). On the way back, we took the marked cut off to the Michigan Iron Industry Museum--an easy 1 mile track through the woods to an well-designed museum where we spent an hour learning lots about the region. Many well-composed trail signs along the way also offer historical information.
Marquette itself was a beautiful city with friendly people and many good restaurants and an easy-going vibe. We rode the Marquette Multi-Use Path along Lake Superior up to spectacular Presque Isle Park the next day, stopping at galleries along the way. Totally recommend this Michigan Upper Penninsula riding experience!
We camped in Tourist Park and biked to the trail from one of the city trails. The first day, we biked up to Presque Isle Park on the city trail before heading south along the lake to the actual trail. You’re biking along Lake Superior on both the city and Iron Ore trails. The Iron Ore continues along the lake for quite a few miles before going into wooded area. We turned back when reaching Harvey. The next day we biked downtown on the city trails, then headed west on the Iron Ore Trail, a gradual incline trail. I eventually used my e-assist when the pavement changed to a crushed stone, not knowing how much longer I would be climbing. It wasn’t much further, becoming a less strenuous ride. We stopped in Negaunee at the Upper Peninsula Brewery for some refreshments. The return trip was all downhill, allowing lots of coasting. Our second stop was at Barrel & Beam, before coasting back to town where more breweries await!
I've Ridden this trail in Sections Several Times during my Visits to Marquette. If You want to ride along the water, which is gorgeous, you can start on the IOHT south of town. There is a Parking lot off the to the left side of the main Hwy. You can then ride all the way up to Presque Isle Park and Back. I Highly Recommend This Route!.
The second Route Starts at the same place then stay on the IOHT when it splits off to the left once you get to town. To be Honest, I lost the Trail due to construction but picked it up again by the Stay Bridge Suites Hotel. It goes straight west out of town. As Mentioned by others, you experience and incline gradient at least until you get to the train trestle. Stop there for a moment because it's pretty neat. A lot of old Iron Ore Pellets are all over the ground. There are a number of Historical Markers and Art Works along the way after that. I highly recommend this and the other trails in the Marquette area. Thanks BN
Awesome trail. Both paved and good gravel sections. We are five relatively fit men and women ages 64, 65, 66, 67, and 70. Our 70 year old rode a fat tire e-bike, but the rest of us had regular road bikes. We parked in Harvey and rode the trail to Negaunee and back, a 30-mile round trip. The constant uphill climb from Marquette into a breeze from the west was a challenge but the scenery is wonderful! We rested and ate lunch at a sweet café in Negaunee, the Midtown Bakery and Café, and then headed back. Since our return was pretty much all downhill, we finished 30 minutes faster than the first half of the ride. I really recommend this trail.
I rode the Iron Ore trail from downtown Marquette west on a rented hybrid bike. I was unprepared for the constant upward grade. Once the trail turned from paved to gravel, it got more challenging. After about an hour, covered with sweat, I was still short of Negaunee, so I turned back. I coasted every one of many miles back, never pedaling, and always with the brake ready. If you're looking for a workout, this trail is for you. It isn't what I wanted on a hot July day.
I did appreciate the historic signage along the trail. It seems that the grade was deliberate. Iron ore would be loaded, first on a plank road, then on rail cars, and easily transported downhill to the port. Then empty cars would go back uphill for another load. Makes sense!
Rode from Ishpenning to the Iron Ore History Museum and back. The trail is paved, well maintained, shady and secluded with little traffic on a Tuesday morning in July. There is one long, moderate grade from the museum back toward Ishpenning but doable with good gears even for this elder amatuer. Signage for jogs through towns could be better but Google maps will set you straight.
West End Ski and Trail in Ishpenning were great for renting bikes. Excellent bikes and service and a friendly, home town, experience.
Rode from ishpeming to iron museum. Glad I read the reviews. Going up the steep section would've required dismounting. There was some confusion on signage since there were mtn bike and orv trails that intersected ioht. Loved the trail markers and the kiosks and interpretive signs were great. There is more parking than indicated in this writeup. Also more trailheads. Pleasant trail all around.
Starting from the Republic end...not signed or marked, encountered off road vehicles and trucks w beer drinkers, beaver flooding make it nearly impossible.
These folks need to know that designating and maintaining a trail for non motorized use will bring in people. The way it is it's not worth the drive.
As a former resident of Marquette and mining company employee, I was really curious about what the trail would show me. It turned out to be things I never knew existed.
I began my ride in Marquette knowing that it is a near constant climb toward Negaunee, where I began my return trip. I had ridden between the two towns a number of times on US 41/M-28, but that was 35 years and about 70 pounds ago. It really is not any easier on the rail trail.
Near Midway the trail separates from the original rail bed and goes alongside no longer using the earthen trestles and rock cuts. It gives the trail a bit more character and certainly some opportunities to coast. Most hills are short and not overly steep.
The return trip was much easier in that from Midway, I was able to coast into Marquette at twice the speed as my climb to the west.
The trail surface pavement was in excellent condition, the information plaques interesting, and the scenery varied from industrial sites to wetlands and wooded areas. The gravel surface was harder to ride in that the aggregate could have been finer and there were a few wash outs and loose gravel.
I would most certainly go again.
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