Shingle Mill Pathway

This loop is just over ten miles and offers a remote and beautiful setting where hikers can enjoy a completely undeveloped forest that's home to elk, bear, bobcat and more. The Shingle Mill Pathway offers a glimpse of the Pigeon River State Forest sharing some of the best terrain of it's larger brother, the High Country Pathway. There are three loop options all of which include river views, towering mature hardwood forests, and pine plantations. This loop includes a stop at Section 4 lake with its deep blue water and storybook scenery. All loops end up back at the trailhead on a quarter mile long boardwalk in dark cool cedar forest that runs along the Pigeon River. You can either hike the complete loop, or shorten it by using the Shingle Mill 6-Mile Cutoff, or the Shingle Mill 10-Mile Cutoff. The trailhead is located on Sturgeon Valley Road across from the Pigeon Bridge campground outside of Vanderbilt, MI by roughly 10 miles. Parking is across from the campground, and the trail start is located within the campground itself. An alternate trailhead is at 9966 Twin Lakes Rd, Vanderbilt, MI. Parking is available next to the forest headquarters building.