The Chelsea Michigan “Trail Challenge” began February 1st of this year and continues through the year till the end of November.

Sponsored by Ugly Dog Distillery and coordinated by the Chelsea Area Chamber of Commerce, the Trail Challenge prompts competitors to take to the trails. Whether you like to hike, run, bike, snowshoe, horseback ride, or just plain walk, this community challenge is a great way to get outside and exercise.

The challenge has two parts: first, you complete a trek on one of the eligible trials (listed here) and take a picture of yourself on the trail. Second, enter the challenge by uploading a selfie/photo on the trail and fill in a bit of personal information into a trail log/form.

Every time you submit the form, you are entered into a drawing for the grand prize, a hiking backpack filled with outdoor gear and goods!

As a bonus, after logging ten different trails, you are eligible to pick up a free hiking utility bracelet from the Chelsea Visitor Center. If you walk one trail every month for the duration of the challenge, you have already earned that bracelet. Each entry for the bracelet counts for the grand prize as well.

Each trail is a different length and terrain, creating a unique challenge level for even the most avid hiker. The trails are located all over Chelsea and the surrounding areas. All the trails included in the challenge are listed on the website linked above, or you can go to their website.

Use this opportunity to get outside, enjoy nature, and explore some new terrain!

Trail Challenge Information

• Accept the challenge – run/hike/bike/snowshoe/ski/horseback ride (as able/permissible) any of the trails listed on Chelsea Trail Challenge List (which can be found at the bottom of this page) between February 1, 2022, through November 30, 2022.
  • Take a photo of yourself at the trailhead or on the trail.
  • Upload the pic and log your trail on the form below.
  • Only one submission per trail.
• Every new trail submitted below is an entry into the Grand Prize Drawing (a hiking backpack filled with outdoor goods and gear).
• Log just 10 different trails and you are eligible to pick up a free hiking utility bracelet from the Chelsea Visitor Center.

Eligible Trails

• Border-to-Border Trail – Dexter to Chelsea Corridor
• Border-to-Border Trail – Chelsea to Stockbridge Corridor
• DTE Energy Foundation Trail – Green Lake Loop
• DTE Energy Foundation Trail – Big Kame Loop
• DTE Energy Foundation Trail – Winn Loop
• DTE Energy Foundation Trail – Sugar Loop
• Waterloo Discovery Center Trails – Bog Trail
• Waterloo Discovery Center Trails – Bog Trail
• Waterloo Discovery Center Trails – Hickory Hills Trail
• Waterloo Discovery Center Trails – Lakeview Trail
• Waterloo Discovery Center Trails – Lowland Trail
• Waterloo Discovery Center Trails – Oakwoods Trail
• Waterloo Discovery Center Trails – Old Field Trail
• Waterloo Discovery Center Trails – Spring Pond Trail
• Waterloo-Dry Marsh Trail
• Waterloo-Equestrian Trails
• Pinckney-Crooked Lake Trail
• Pinckney-Equestrian Trails
• Pinckney-Losee Lake Trail
• Pinckney-Potawatomi Trail
• Pinckney-Silver Lake Trail
• Park Lyndon – North
• Park Lyndon – South
• West Lake Preserve
• Baker Woods Preserve
• Trinkle Marsh Preserve
• Miller-Smith Preserve
• Squiers Preserve
• Koenn Preserve
• Brauer Preserve
• Oak Grove Cemetery Loop
• Hospital Trail Loop
• Big Green Square Loop
• Pierce Lake Trail Loop
• School Connector Loop
• Timbertown Loop
• North Neighborhood Loop
• West Neighborhood Loop
• Silver Maples Loop
• Senior Center Leg
• Interurban Rail Leg
• Chelsea Retirement Community Loop
• Chelsea SculptureWalk