Lakelands Trail State Park:
Michigan
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Description:
Stretching 26 miles through central Michigan, this rail-trail has two personalities: rural and suburban. Twenty miles of soft limestone surface from Stockbridge to Pinckney offer a pastoral backdrop and 6 miles of smooth asphalt carry you through rapidly growing Hamburg Township. The trail is an easy drive from the major population centers of Detroit, Lansing, Jackson and Ann Arbor, which contributes to its popularity.
Heading east from the Stockbridge Trailhead amid working farms, wide open fields, and woods, you will understand why equestrians feel right at home on this trail. A diverse collection of wildflowers and butterflies flourish here. The small town of Gregory, followed by the equally quaint Pinckney, add charm to this quiet agricultural area and are good stopping points to enjoy lunch or ice cream or to stock up on supplies.
Mountain bikers and walkers have a seamless transition to the trail's recently paved 6-mile section, where they join skinny tires and strollers to continue through the swiftly developing suburb of Hamburg Township. The woods grow thicker and frequently arch into a canopy as the trail meanders to Zukey Lake, a popular destination for swimming, boating and fishing.
Trail traffic increases as you head east, but the corridor remains a peaceful getaway. Just before reaching Pettysville Road at mile 15.5, there is a tunnel under State Route 36, transporting you safely under the road. At that point there is a large trailhead. A little farther along, the trail skirts along behind shops, restaurants and snack stops in Hamburg Township.
Locals are looking to expansion plans that would take the Lakelands Trail another 16 miles to Jackson, where it would link into Jackson's urban pathway system and provide a journey from sweeping rural vistas to urban conveniences.
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Parking & Trail Access:
To access the Stockbridge trailhead, take State Route M-106/M-52 south through Stockbridge, crossing Main St in downtown Stockbridge. After crossing Main Street, the trail is approximately 0.5 miles ahread on the left.
To access the Hamburg Township trailhead, take Interstate 23 to exit 54. Head west on State Route M-36/Nine Mile Road. Turn left on to head south on Merrill Road. The trailhead at Manly W Bennett Memorial Park is on the left.
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Reviews: [0 trail ratings]
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Needs funds and action
By Knobby Kabushka on June 24, 2010
The paved part from Hamburg to Pinckney is great! What is needed though is more forward thinking leaders and citizens in this state, so that a complete state wide paved trail system could be a happening... Wouldn't it great just to get on your bike or even walk from say Grand Rapids to Port Huron and not worry about cars/trucks. etc,...
Paved Part of Trail is Fine
By cesart2342 on May 31, 2010
I was a little hesitant to take this trail based on the reviews. However since we were in the area we went to check it out. We found about 5.5 miles paved in the Pinckney area. It stretched from mile marker 2 to 7.5. We parked near the tunnel at the intersection of M36 and Pettysville road. This part of the trail was nice. It was fairly shaded and there is many places to stop for food and a school playground (mile 3.0). This was enjoyable for an 11 mile round trip.
Not for leisure biking
By gthomas on July 15, 2009
We tried to bike the trail and gave up after a total of three miles--this trail is definitely not for leisure biking. The gravel is deep and most of the trail is marred by horse "pot holes". We travelled the rest of our trip on the shoulder of the main roads. If the trail was widened and there was a separate "lane" for horses (and riders respected the divide), more people may be able to enjoy the beautiful trail.
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