Despite what your thermometer or your weatherman says, Michigan winters can be as spectacular a season as any other to spend outside. Well, at least for the first two months of the season, anyway, when it’s all still new—and it’s great when there’s actually snow. None of that 20-below, nothing-on-the-ground nonsense that makes us wonder why anyone lives here at all. No, there’s perhaps nothing more refreshing in the midst of the long Michigan winter than a step out into the hardwoods or the conifers for a day hike. So here are five treks to consider next time the snow falls and the cold lets up enough to make going outside a deliberate choice rather than a necessity.

Porcupine Mountains

There’s plenty to see in the Upper Peninsula’s Porkies, but in the winter, the views of an iced-over Lake Superior from the 17-mile Lake Superior Trail are hard to beat. The rocky terrain can be challenging to navigate in ice and snow, but cliffside views are a tantalizing reward. For a longer loop, link the Lake Superior with the Big Carp River Trail and the Escarpment Trail, which overlooks the small but stunning Lake of the Clouds.

Sleeping Bear Dunes

So you may not be able to do dig your toes into the fine, frozen sand, but you can still climb up the snow-capped dunes at the Dune Climb near Glen Lake and take in the blue view of Lake Michigan at several spots on the 14.7-mile Platte Plains Loop. Hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing are all permitted on the trail, and with access points to nearby Otter Creek, Bass Lake, and the White Pine Backcountry Campground, a longer stay is an option if you’re willing to brave the winter winds coming off the lake.

Yellow Dog Plains

For winter waterfalls without the tourists and typical tourist amenities, head northwest of Marquette to the remote region of Champion, Michigan where the Yellow Dog River and the Salmon Trout River cut through stands of white pine, eastern hemlock, and miles of remote U.P. wilderness in the Yellow Dog Plains. Several marked and well-trodden trails alongside the river provide easy access for photo opportunities and chances to pan for gold, if you’re so inclined. Maps of the surrounding McCormick Wilderness can help find the specific trail you’re looking for.

North Country Trail

Of the seven states that the 4,400-mile North Country National Scenic Trail passes through, Michigan has the most mileage at about 1,500. There are numerous access points throughout both peninsulas that make it easy to hop on and off this behemoth of a trail and turn it into a quick day hike. If you’re in the Lower Peninsula, try starting from either the Marilla or High Bridge Trailhead in Manistee County and follow the NCT as it rambles alongside the Manistee River for a peaceful winter ramble.

Tahquamenon Falls

The state park at Tahquamenon Falls provides an authentic “Pure Michigan” experience any time of the year, but the Tahquamenon River and its two major sets of falls put on a truly incredible display come wintertime. Take your pick from the seven-mile long Wilderness Loop, the 3.5-mile long Giant Pines Trail, or the four-mile-long River Trail to get a glimpse of the freezing root-beer-colored falls and their wall of icicles. Snowshoes aren’t necessary, but they’ll help if you’re one of the first on the trail after a fresh snowfall.

Images courtesy flickr users savethewildup and katerha via Creative Commons