Udell Trailhead

Going North - From Udell Trailhead to Upper River Road Trailhead, particularly in the Dilling Road area, visitors will traverse many hills. After crossing Coates Highway, visitors will climb up a hill to a flat, forested area.

Difficulty going north from Udell -

• Udell Trailhead to Highbridge River Access - Easy
• Highbridge River Access to Dilling Rd. - Easy
• Dilling Rd. to Upper Branch Trailhead/Red Bridge River Access - Difficult

Dilling Road to Udell Trailhead -

• Bicycles Allowed?: No
• Miles: 10

Going South - Heading south will take you to the Freesoil Trailhead. The trail from Udell Trailhead to Freesoil Trailhead traverses the Udell Hills. After the trail crosses the Little Manistee River the terrain changes form mixed hardwoods to wetlands. The trail heading north was formerly a narrow gauge railroad that was elevated above the wetlands in the early 1900's by lumberjacks. The trail winds through the wetlands and swamp in this section. However, about 3.5 miles north of the trailhead a boardwalk has been put in through the wetland areas. Mountain bikes are allowed going south from this trailhead. There is no connector to the Big "M" Cross-Country Ski Trail, however the two trails do cross at several points.

Difficulty going south from Udell -

• Udell Trailhead to 6-Mile Rd. - Intermediate
• 6-Mile Rd. to 3-Mile Rd. - Easy
• 3-Mile Rd. to Freesoil Trailhead - Easy

Udell Trailhead to M-55 -

• Bicycles Allowed?: No
• Miles: 10

M-55 to Bowman Lake Trailhead -

• Bicycles Allowed?: Yes
• Miles: 41

Brochure with map: This brochure is set to print on 11 x 17 paper, landscape (wide) orientation. To print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper set the print area to "shrink to printable area", this will make the text on the page smaller.

Flickr Photo Album

From Manistee -

• Travel east on M-55 for 12.5 miles.
• Turn right and travel north on Fire Tower Rd. to the site.