About five miles north of the small town of West Branch, Michigan you’ll find the Ogemaw Hills Pathway trail system, an approximately 15 mile long network of trails through the AuSable State Forest open year round to hiking, cross-country skiing, snow shoeing, and biking.
The Pathway has served our family well over the years from Scout hikes to family day hikes and also served as the starting point for transitioning our family to a focus on outdoor activities and hiking.
The Pathway offers a network of trails, allowing you to pick and chose which trails you want to hike and how long a distance you may want to walk. We started with easy one and two-mile hikes when the kids were younger (five and ten years old) and slowly built up our mileage.
The trails are well-groomed and maintained by the Ogemaw Hills Pathway Council, a community volunteer group dedicated to maintain the trails for cross-country skiing.
How to get started hiking Ogemaw Hills Pathway
Map
A map of the Ogemaw Hills Pathway is available at the West Branch Visitors Bureau website.
Gear
The Ogemaw Hills Pathway trails are well graded and easily walkable in standard athletic shoes. Remember to check the weather before heading out and bring rain gear if rain is in the forecast. Dress for the weather and wear layers so you can remove layers if you get too hot.
Bring a water bottle for each hiker as there is no water available at the trailhead and snacks for your hike always make the kids happy. Check out our 10 Essentials blog post for more items that are important to bring out outdoor trips.
Safety
It is extremely important to let someone know your hiking plans, where you’re going, and when you plan to return. Cell phones have very limited coverage in the woods of the Ogemaw Hills Pathway and may not connect if you are in an emergency situation. Plan ahead and be prepared by letting someone know where you’re going.
