Backroads forest drive to Victoria and Rockland

This drive on Norwich Road, north from M-28 at Matchwood, turns east onto Victoria Road and goes through a remote area of the Trap Hills, offering an occasional vista. (The North Country Trail's vistas facing south are better than those from the road, however.)

Destinations on this drive are the restored OLD VICTORIA miners' cabins open seasonally) and then a meal at HENRY'S INN in Rockland (check hours). A short segment of the NORTH COUNTRY TRAIL can be hiked by Old Victoria. All this is described in this book's "Porcupine Mountains" chapter.

TIPS: Do not attempt this drive in spring or in under muddy conditions! Victoria Road is not plowed in winter. Plan on over an hour for the drive in good weather, excluding stops. With visits to Old Victoria and Rockland's little museum, and a meal at Henry's, this could be an all-day outing.

It's essential to turn east onto Victoria Road after rounding a hill and passing the sign showing where the North Country Trail crosses Norwich Road. You will be going up into the Trap Hills north of the ridgeline. As you descend the high hills but before you reach Old Victoria, you will be near VICTORIA DAM, a massive electricity-generating project from the 1930s. It's a popular fishing spot. Get there by going right. UPPCO (Upper Peninsula Power) owns the dam, which is on the West Branch of the Ontonagon River, and the property around it. For insight into how electrical power is generated here, visit www.ontonagonmi.org and click on "Heritage Trails" and then on "Victoria Dam." Three other upstream dams enable water to be stored upstream from the Victoria Dam and used in July and August when the river is low.

Only one road, Victoria Road, goes through the area at this time. Logging companies have been eyeing its big hardwoods, and recreationists and environmentalists want to keep this choice area the way it is.

Return to Bergland and Lake Gogebic

BERGLAND AND LAKE GOGEBIC
POINTS OF INTEREST

Bergland Cultural Center. A useful center for visitor information for the million-acre surrounding national forest is also a nice place for a picnic or walk ... more

Bergland-Matchwood Historical Society Museum. Old stuff from the area's farms, schools, and timber cutting past as well as a gift shop with local paintings ... more

Trap Hills hikes. Exceptionally fine day hikes in a remote part of a huge forest which features extraordinary panoramic knobs along high bluffs ... more

Backroads forest drive to Victoria and Rockland. Rugged back road through the Trap Hills to Victoria Dam, Old Victoria mining ghost town, and picturesque Rockland. ... more

Lake Gogebic County Park. Pleasant county park on Ice House Bay has a swimming beach, picnic area, fishing dock, boat launch, and campground. ... more

Lake Gogebic State Park. There's a beach, campground, and a choice hillside nature trail up into large old-growth maples and hemlocks, with outstanding spring wildflowers. ... more

Alligator Eye. Landmark hillside on Lake Gogebic's west shore has a short, steep trail to the top, with a long view east. Beautiful in fall; a snowmobilers' favorite. ... more

Lake Gogebic West Shore Road Parks. A scenic drive punctuated by two parks with swimming beaches and picnic areas, and two memorable hillside hikes. ... more

Lake Gogebic's East Shore Road. 19-mile scenic drive includes birding spots, an elk pen, and a picnic area with a fine view across Lake Gogebic to Alligator Eye. ... more

Best of the Best U.P. Maps

See our U.P. interactive maps that locate the best experiences the U.P. has to offer—from camping & hiking to good eating & vistas! We also have created useful maps to major U.P. TOWNS.

Incredibly Useful!
Hunt's Map Guide to the Upper Peninsula • Favorite hikes, beaches, restaurants, shops, lighthouses, scenic drives, waterfalls, & much more
• 13 detailed U.P. maps
• Full color, on sturdy, water-resistant paper
• Folds out to 12”x38”
• Only $6.95
To learn more & buy online, click here