Exercise Guide - Stinchfield Woods

This is NOT an in-person event.

These Exercise Guides are intended to assist and encourage exploration of parks and natural areas in the Huron Valley Group region. Please enjoy them on your own or with others.

The Exercise Guide you've been waiting for - Stinchfield Woods. 700 acres, approx. 11 miles of trails, around 50 interstections, no trail markings anywhere! Oh, and hills, lots of hills, with lots of conifers. Fun!

If you're inexperienced with using maps in a wood, you might want to try the Bluffs hike first, as a smaller practice field to work up to Stinch.

Below are two maps, one showing almost all the trails in Stinchfield Woods (and indicating where there might be additional, unverified, legs), the second showing our recommended route for a 4.5-mile hike. The map with the recommended route (route in yellow, it will print white on a B&W printer) also has two optional extensions, in yellow dots. Those add 1.7 and 0.7 miles to the hike.

There are two points on our recommended route that warrant special attention. Our route starts and ends at the official Stinchfield Woods parking lot, on Stinchfield Woods Road. From there, head east (left) toward #1 on the map. As you approach #1, go up over the hill and around the tower before turning south. The trail can be a bit tough to see going up and over the hill crest, but it is easy to find the continuation at the bottom of the tower you will see there. Go around the far side of the tower.
Secondly, at the intersection at #2, follow the recommended route, even if you plan to add the longer extension in the NW quadrant of Stinchfield Woods. Not following our recommended route at #2 means missing one of the neater features of Stinchfield Woods (assuming you appreciate science).

While dogs are allowed, they must be on leash at all times. Please respect Univeristy of Michigan policy on this.

Enjoy, take pictures, and share them here.