It’s no secret the Marquette area has its share of scenic trails. However, probably many people take them for granted.

This week – Michigan Trails Week, which runs through Saturday – is a prime time to get reacquainted with local trails, or if people are already familiar with these natural areas, to simply get out on them again.

Michigan Trails Week is a collaboration of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Michigan Recreation and Parks Association, Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance and Pure Michigan. Many events are being offered to celebrate Michigan’s extensive trail network.

For example, author and naturalist Lon Emerick will lead a guided nature hike along the Songbird Trail at 1 p.m. Friday. This gem of a trail at the Little Presque Isle Recreation Area, located along County Road 550, winds through trees, blueberry patches and wildflowers, and affords a wilderness view of Harlow Creek emptying into Lake Superior.

Did you know the North Country Scenic Trail runs through Marquette? Do you need a T-shirt? Free T-shirts are being offered to the first 100 hikers at the “Celebrate Walking in Marquette” event, set for 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday along the trail. Participants will begin at the RTI Surgical parking lot and walk to the Shiras Steam Plant.

The route will take people along the city’s multi-use pathway, which also is the North Country Scenic Trail on this stretch.

The entire trail, though, runs from New York to North Dakota, so there’s plenty more to see, particularly on the local segments.

Of course, trails can be enjoyed anytime during the year.

If you like what you see along the multi-use pathway stretch, try hiking other, more remote sections of the North Country Scenic Trail, such as Beaver Pond to Silver Creek Bridge or the Tourist Park trailhead to the Forestville trailhead.

If you like a hiking challenge, get a membership for the Noquemanon Trail Network (www.noquetrails.org).

You’ll support efforts to manage the network’s trail system, which includes its signature Mount Marquette Loop.

If you want to work in a history lesson with brisk walking, take to the Iron Ore Heritage Trail, which runs from Chocolay Township to Republic Township. A variety of interpretive methods help travelers learn about the area’s iron history.

Bring a walking stick and backpack, or just come with the clothes on your back. You don’t have to be a hard-core wilderness trekker to enjoy local trails, so take advantage of Michigan Trails Week to learn more about these one-of-a-kind attractions.