If You Like to Hike Here is One of Michigan’s Most Beautiful Places!

We are blessed in Michigan to have some beautiful parks, walking trails, and serious hiking trails available to us year round. But, if you're looking for what many would consider the MOST scenic hiking trail, I'd have to put my money on Clay Cliffs.

Birding, hunting, fishing, nature at its best, snowshoeing in the winter, and of course hiking.

The Leelanau Conservancy, in partnership with Leland Township, protects 1,700 feet of shoreline on both Lake Leelanau and Lake Michigan.

It's not a long trail, only a 1.5 mile system on flat and hilly terrain, but oh, man, is it gorgeous!

You'll see eagles that nest here and swoop over the lake in search of prey. There are  steep, forested slopes that are so beautiful in the slanting light of dusk,

especially when the trillium are in bloom.

You'll walk through a meadow located midway along the trail featuring sparkling views of Lake Leelanau.

Clay Cliffs’ hardwood forest shelters one of Leelanau’s most prolific wildflower sites.

As you reach the top of the area and your hike, there is a viewing platform above the bluffs, with breathtaking views from 200 feet above Lake Michigan.

On the trail to the bluff there are views of Lake Leelanau to the east.

It is a beautiful hike through a stunning part of Michigan, and it's a very young, preserved area, as natural habitats go.

Clay Cliffs Natural Area, which was preserved in 2013, and is officially owned by Leland Township. The land was purchased from the Crary family, who wished to see it preserved forever.

It's just another Michigan gem that shouldn't be missed!

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