Our Stories

Tanya Bromley: NCNST Long Distance Hiker

Tanya Bromley

Central patch + 1000 Miles and Mackinac Bridge

My relationship with the North Country Trail began in the early 2000s when my future husband and I lived in Marquette, Michigan. We would go on day hikes together by Lake Superior, in the McCormick tract, or if we were feeling adventurous, in the Porcupine Mountains. At that point in time, I was in my early twenties and had no understanding of the expanse of the North Country Trail, but still I always gravitated to it. The hikes I shared with my partner filled my need to be outside and calmed my soul. In August of 2003, I was surprised by being offered a ring on the beaches of Wetmore landing, with the trail watching in awe.

Fast forward just a few years. A marriage, two children, and a move that brought us to the Grand Rapids area; to my surprise that trail was still right there within my reach. It wasn’t until about 2020 that I actually started paying attention to my mileage on the trail. This was the first year that I participated in the Hike 100 Challenge. I used this time hiking as a stress relief and therapy time. Not only was there a full-blown pandemic happening, but life in general was extremely hectic with two teenagers at home.

I started my journey by actually helping my husband and his running friends follow the trail. I would drop them off, bring them snacks and water along the route, and pick them up at the end. I added in my own short hikes while waiting for them to be done with their runs. My hikes got longer and longer, and we finally came to the conclusion that that we all needed to support each other. I would drop them off at their planned start, drive to where they wanted to end; park the car and walk toward them. They in turn would drive and pick me up at the closest parking. It was brilliant. Honestly our little group is a pretty well-oiled machine! Along with heading out with our group I have done many solo hikes, utilizing our wonderful trail angel system. Without this group of volunteers, hiking a trail like this would be daunting to say the least. They are a very caring and very informative group of people that love to see hikers accomplish big goals!

With all of the help from friends, family, and volunteers, as of today, I have hiked all of Michigan’s lower peninsula, the Mackinac Bridge, as well as portions of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. My goal from here forward is to keep adding unique miles. I love the adventure of seeing all of the new places the North Country Trail takes me as well as learning the immense history of the North Country!

Learn more about long distance hiker recognition at explorenct.info/NoCoLo/index.htm.