The northernmost segment, which closely parallels the shore of Lake Superior on the west side of the Keweenaw Peninsula, is highly scenic.

The two highways join for a short distance before M-26 separates turning northeast to Winona across the Houghton County line.

From there north, M-26 runs generally downhill on approaching the western business district of Houghton and the Portage Lake Lift Bridge from the west.

[2] It enters and runs through the middle of Dakota Heights before re-entering Houghton and continuing to approach the bridge.

Ripley Ski Area before turning north to Dollar Bay on the shore of the heavy polluted Torch Lake.

In the town of Phoenix, M-26 separates from US 41 one last time, turning west for a stretch along the northern shoreline of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

[4] Past Eagle Harbor, M-26 meets the highly scenic Brockway Mountain Drive.

[7] This extension would be reversed in 1933 when the Mohawk to Gay routing was turned over to Keweenaw County control.

The segment between Phoenix and Eagle River along Copper Falls Mine Road was turned over to Keweenaw County at this time.

[12] In 2006, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) opened a bypass around the southwest and southern edge of South Range in order to provide a safer route through the town.

[13][14] As of 4 October 2006, MDOT has transferred jurisdiction of the necessary pieces of roadway to complete the M-26 bypass of South Range.