The Great Lakes Way receives Pure Michigan Trail designation

The Great Lakes Way, an initiative of the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan, was among three paths in 2026 that received a Pure Michigan Trail designation, an annual recognition highlighting the state’s top trails.

The Great Lakes Way is a set of 160 miles of greenways and 156 miles of blueways that connects communities stretching from southern Lake Huron through western Lake Erie. The trail, which was developed in collaboration with dedicated community partners, reflects the Community Foundation’s commitment to investing in parks, trails and climate-smart infrastructure that improve environmental health and quality of life in southeast Michigan.

“We’re delighted that The Great Lakes Way has received a Pure Michigan Trail designation,” Community Foundation Vice President of Community Impact Sarah Baltman Wedepohl told the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. “It provides residents and visitors (in southeast Michigan) with access to world-class fresh water, wildlife, recreation and heritage right in our backyard. 

 The Pure Michigan Trail and Trail Town Designation Program is a partnership between the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the state’s Pure Michigan tourism campaign. The program is designed to help boost the state’s position as the “Trails State.” 

 The Michigan Air Line Trail — which travels through Wixom, Walled Lake and Commerce Township — and the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park — a 92-mile, paved pathway linking more than a dozen communities between Grand Rapids and Cadillac — also received the prestigious trail designation. 

 The announcement was made during the Pure Michigan Governor’s Conference on Tourism from April 7-9 at the Grand Traverse Resort and Spa near Traverse City.