Iron Ore Heritage Trail

Overview

The Iron Ore Heritage Trail will be a 48-mile, multi-use, year round trail that connects, preserves, and interprets the significant sites, structures, and stories of Marquette County's 160+ years of iron mining heritage.

The trail, reaching from Republic to Kawbawgam Road in Chocolay Township, will be a combination of pavement and aggregate surfacing depending on location. Users of the trail system will include: walkers, hikers, runners, bikers, roller bladers, wildlife viewers, equestrians, ATVers, and snowmobilers. However, not all portions of the trail will be available to all users.

A Heritage Preservation Project

An Iron Ore Heritage Recreation Authority has been established to work with the State of Michigan, the governments within Marquette County, and private landowners to gain long term easements for the preservation of this major east west corridor through our County.

While conserving corridors for present and future recreational use, the Authority and its Citizen Advisory Committees will also work to preserve mining sites and structures while utilizing various methods to interpret these sites, artifacts, and stories that exist along the 48-mile trail.

The Marquette Iron Range has a unique history due to the ore beneath our feet, the magnificent natural resources surroundings, and the immigrants who shaped our culture.

We will use this trail along with the existing sites and museum to keep our story alive for all of us to share with future generations and visitors.

We have a story of national significance and a population that wants access to recreational lands and corridors, and we are committed to working across boundaries to develop the Iron Ore Heritage Trail.

Your Investment Needed

As with all major projects, there must be partnerships. This multi-million dollar trail system will require local financing commitments for leveraging local, state and federal money as well as private foundations.

Funds will be used for trail surfacing, bridges, signage, mile markers, artwork, and trailhead facilities.

Please join us for the preservation, conservation, recreation, and educational opportunities the Iron Ore Heritage Trail will provide.

For more information, please visit: http://www.ironoreheritage.com