Want to lose yourself in nature without actually getting lost? Take a hike through lush flora, rich history, and unique rock formations at Mount Bohemia Adventure Resort in the northernmost portion of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, where some of the most stunning elements of the natural world are packed into one mountain.

Whether you leisurely stroll the flats, or trek up the hillside, be sure to note the wilderness beside, below, and above you. Running streams, lush forests, chirping birds, and looming boulders beg for your attention as you pass through. Bring along guidebooks for Michigan’s wildflowers, trees, birds, mushrooms, insects, or rocks, and you can learn about the earth for hours.

Bohemia’s 12-mile network of trails offers terrain on wide paths through the woods and old gravel logging roads. Marked for beginner, intermediate, and advanced hikers, you can follow their map and signs to flank the mountain on the flat loops, or stick your toes in to reach the peak. The views from the top are remarkable every season of the year.

The Keweenaw Peninsula is home to a vast variety of wildflowers for your visual and olfactory enjoyment. For your palate, you can eat blueberries, raspberries, blackberries, bilberries, and thimbleberries in the summertime. Make sure you know what you found before you eat it, though! Mount Bohemia hopes to offer guided nature tours in the future, so your guide can identify these treasures of nature for you.

The geology of the area is stunning as well. In short, magma started to form a long rift 1,100 million years ago. From there, earthquakes and reverse thrusting faults formed the cliffs that jut out of Lake Superior, according to mindat.org. The rocks and minerals you find along the shores vary greatly in just a short distance. This is apparent in the color and texture changes you will notice in them as you traverse the ancient shores and hillsides.

If you are a guest at the resort, and you’ve hiked all the trails, one of Bohemia’s guides can show you the way to other areas of interest.

Montreal Falls is a short drive from your cabin. At the base of the Montreal River, you can watch the falls pummel into Lake Superior. This is especially stunning during the spring melt or after heavy rains. You can also hike up beside the river, though some bushwhacking is currently required.

Bare Bluff is another popular destination. As the most prominent protruding structure on the Keweenaw’s south shore, the top of this bluff offers a panoramic view of Lake Superior. The view from up there is unrivaled in my opinion. The hike itself, however, is a tough one. Steep cliffs, slippery slopes, and loose rocks will make sure you are paying attention every step of the way. So just be on your game, and bring enough water to drink. You’ll be fine–even better than fine when you inhale the beauty at the top of that bluff.

So far, Montreal Falls and Bare Bluff are the two main off-the-property journeys that Mount Bohemia Adventure Resort is able to guide you to. As their staff and transportation expand, they hope the places they can go will expand too.

The Keweenaw Peninsula offers such a variety of terrain and sites to see, that you might even want to venture out on your own–especially if you have hiked all the options listed above. You can find hiking guidebooks to the Upper Peninsula and the Keweenaw online. They are also available at many of the regional gift shops and bookstores.

Though Mount Bohemia offers hiking poles for their guests, curious travelers are welcome to stop by, pick up a map of the trails, and go out for a hiking adventure on their own. If you chose to do this, please be prepared with your own hydration, sense of direction, and safety measures.

Hiking all over this mountain and its surrounding landforms will leave you with many treasures, including a camera full of breathtaking pictures, a sense of peace, and wonder for the world you live in and a backside firmer than the day you left home.

When you can get all of that in one spot just a few hours from where you live, the answer is simple: Mount Bohemia Adventure Resort. Learn more about it now at www.mtbohemia.com.

Image by Amanda Wais