Detroit-to-Ironwood hike and bike trail gets name

The Michigan DNR has decided on a name for its new Detroit–to–Ironwood hiking and bicycle trail.

It’s Michigan’s Iron Belle Trail. The DNR took name suggestions for the trail last fall and received nearly 9,000 of them.

Michigan DNR director Keith Creagh chose the winning name.

detroit-ironwood-trail

The Iron Belle Trail is named that way because it connects Ironwood with Belle Isle Park in Detroit. It follows the existing North Country National Scenic Trail for most of its length.

The Iron Belle Trail is a recent creation. It was first suggested by Governor Rick Snyder in late 2012.

In 2013, Chris Hillier, a hiker from downstate Taylor, became the first person to hike the entire trail. We spoke with him during the Marquette leg of his journey.