Top of the World Lookout
Marquette’s Top of the World Lookout is a short hike from a dirt road that offers panoramic views of the northern portion of Marquette. This includes Little Presque Isle, Sugarloaf Mountain, and Hogback Mountain. Though the hike is short, it isn’t an overly crowded area most of the year. Still, when the weather gets warm and kids get out of school, you might see some other people here.
On your way to the trailhead, it’s worth stopping at the big rock at Harlow Lake for a picnic or to dip your toes in the water. The road from here to the Top of the World Lookout can sometimes be rough but manageable in a sedan.
While hiking up the lookout, watch out for mountain bikers, who are common in the state forest around the area. Fires aren’t allowed on the lookout, but there was evidence of them on my last visit. If you choose to break the rules, do so safely.
In the fall, the view from the overlook has to be spectacular. If you bring a long enough lens or good binoculars, you can watch people walking around on the top of Hogback and Sugarloaf, which is unique.
On my first visit to the overlook, the trip up to the top, walking around to take photos with my dog Scrappy, and trek back down was .35 miles with 64 feet of elevation gain. If that isn’t enough for you, there are a ton of trails in the area to make your hike more rewarding!
