Two Leelanau County trails are among six trails being recognized as the first Pure Michigan Trails in the state.

The Leelanau Trail and Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail (pictured) earned the designation along with the Iron Ore Heritage Trail in Marquette County, Polly Ann Trailway in Oakland County, Trail 45/the Charcoal Grade Trail in Luce County, and the William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail in Muskegon and Oceana counties. Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) officials made the announcement this week. Four communities, including the City of Charlevoix, City of Houghton, Village of Newberry, and the City of South Haven, were also named as Pure Michigan Trail Towns.

The trails chosen were “deemed to provide users with a quality trail experience, provide clear information for users, have broad community support, and have a sustainable maintenance and marketing plan,” according to the DNR. In 2014, the Michigan Trailways Act was revised to add the DNR’s ability to designate trails and towns as Pure Michigan Trails and Trail Towns. This designation was designed to “acknowledge Michigan’s position as the preeminent trails state in the nation,” according to the DNR.