Beaver Island Michigan

I visit Beaver Island almost every year but one time six or seven years ago while exploring the island I found a boardwalk with many steps and stairs winding through the forest with a large watchtower at the head of the trail. It looked straight out of Lord of the rings, it was really neat. Does anybody know where this is? I've failed to find it on more recent visits. Also is it private? Does anyone know how to get permission to walk it?

The trail that fits this description is the 7 Bridges trail. It starts from East Side Dr. where the Fire Dept. station is located, across from the campground. There is a large tower at the fire station. This trail is on public land so you are free to use it. It can be a bit confusing when you get past the forest into a meadow, but the Beaver Island Archipelago Trails Association is working to install signs and maps that will improve this situation before the summer is over.

Was the location in the west side Bonners Bluff area near Protor's Tomb?

If the trail to which you are referring is on the west side of the island near Protar's tomb, it is on private property and not open to the public. It was open to the public years back but not now. If you are interested in walking or biking trails on the island, here is a link for hiking trails: https://www.beaverisland.org/wp-content ... vised2.pdf. If you are interested in motorized travel on DNR forest roads, here is a link for roads open to ORV use: http://www.midnr.com/Publications/pdfs/ ... levoix.pdf. Many of the island's hiking trails are single tracks not open to ORV traffic, including the Seven Bridges Trail mentioned in an earlier reply post. At one time trails not open to ORVs had signage stating so, but many of the signs have disappeared over the last year or two.

Slight thread drift.....is any of the old fire tower still standing?
Have not been through that part of the island in years.
Thanks
Dave

"............Bonners Bluff area near Protor's Tomb?" - Correct Private.
The very best way to know the difference is the Wojan / Cashman map, available at the Chamber & McDonough,s to name a couple of locations.