Our Best Walks in the County
Walking Washtenaw is all about finding the new favorite walks in our local area. Here’s our top list for the whole county. Check our local lists for Ann Arbor, Chelsea/Dexter, or Manchester if you want to find something specific to your area.
Baker Woods Preserve – Chelsea, MI
Today I explored a new find, Baker Woods Preserve. The preserve covers 70 acres of old forest, open grasslands, and rolling hills and features well-maintained a trail system. Its varied ecosystem supports a large variety of birds and animals.
Lillie Park – Pittsfield, MI
Lillie Park sits in 124 acres of restored land in Pittsfield Township. Once a gravel pit, the area has been transformed into play areas and beautiful walking trails.
A Special Place in Sharon Hollow – Nan Weston Preserve
In an area highly altered by agriculture, logging and development. The Nan Weston Preserve serves to protect the remaining native ecosystems and provide stopover habitat for migrating birds.
Fall Color Trek in The Bird Hills Nature Area
Beautiful birdsong and glorious fall colors combine to make a visit to Ann Arbor’s Bird Hills Nature Area a walk to remember. The Bird Hills Nature Area rises above a great bend in the Huron River west of Ann Arbor. Encompassing 146 acres, it is the largest natural area in the city’s park system. With a variety of pathways, hikers will find a sanctuary in this hilly woodland.
A Ramble Through Beautiful Brauer Preserve
Brauer Preserve, a 226-acre tract that protects diverse habitat types, from sandy knolls and upland oak/hickory forests to rich wetlands.
The Lively Lagoon at North Bay Park
North Bay Park is a hidden treasure. The park features a network of trails, a raised boardwalk, an observation tower, fishing platforms and a fitness trail. These are all built around a central lagoon that is abounding with waterfowl, turtles and lotus flowers. It is absolutely one of the prettiest parks in the county.
