Old Victoria Road Forest Service Loop

This forgotten mining district road winds through the heart of the Keweenaw Peninsula’s copper country, connecting the ghost town of Victoria to a network of abandoned mine sites and Lake Superior overlooks. The route follows old logging roads and mining haul routes through dense mixed hardwood forest, passing the ruins of stamp mills, mine shafts, and company housing foundations. Key waypoints include the Central Mine ruins at mile 8 and the dramatic cliff-top views of Copper Harbor from the northern terminus.

This moderate route requires high-clearance 4WD for rocky sections and seasonal creek crossings, particularly around the Central Mine area. Best tackled May through October when snow clears, though black flies are brutal in early summer. No permits required on National Forest land, but carry extra fuel as the nearest services are 25 miles away in Copper Harbor. The payoff is stepping into Michigan’s copper mining history while camping among towering pines overlooking the world’s largest freshwater lake.