Lake Huron Shore

East of I-75, the Upper Peninsula [1] narrows and dribbles off into a series of peninsulas, points, and islands. The area has a simple, pretty feel, the kind of place where casual biking, beachcombing, and picnicking set the pace for a summer day, though there are few true “destinations.” In fact, the whole area is often overlooked by guidebooks—which is just fine with the locals and summer cottage owners.

M-134, between I-75 and Drummond Island [2], is a lovely stretch. This pretty and unusually peaceful road skims along the Lake Huron shore, past coastal villages, rocky bays, and pine-studded islands. DeTour Village marks the end of the road and the end of the U.P. mainland. This small village has long served an important navigational role for ships heading up and down the St. Mary’s.

Many ships squeeze through DeTour Passage here, the narrow waterway between the point and Drummond Island. They make a turn, or detour, to chart a course from the St. Mary’s River to the Straits of Mackinac. When Detroit [3] was still a blank spot on the map, DeTour Village was busy guiding ships, with a navigational light as far back as 1848. It remains a pleasant place to watch the ship traffic.

Getting to the Lake Huron Shore

From St. Ignace [4], you can drive north on I-75, then east on M-134. You can reach the Les Cheneaux Islands [5] via private boat. To reach Drummond Island [2], take the Drummond Island ferry (906/235-3170, $14), which departs often from DeTour Village May–March.