State: MI Length: 8 miles Surface: Dirt
Bass River Recreation Area is an 1,100 acre site in central Ottawa County. There are two trail loops, one entirely on the south side of the road and one starting on the north side and ending on the south side. The south loop is very tight, requiring good bike handling skills. Entirely single track, there are almost no straight areas where higher speeds can be attained. There are some mounds of sand (not higher than 6 feet) with descents that require care due to turns and loose sand. The entire trail is in dense woods; approximate length of trail is 3-4 miles. Tight turns, narrow gaps between trees, and sand mounds make this trail slightly more difficult than easy for inexperienced riders, but it is challenging and fun to ride. The north loop is also 3 to 4 miles in length. Single track most of the way, it starts on an open double track for just a short distance before switching to single track and emerging into dense woods for the rest of the way. There is one area where the pines are so thick that no vegetation grows under the pines. This loop is much straighter than the south loop and has many stretches where higher speeds can be attained. This course is rated easy, but enjoyable to ride just to be in the woods. These trails are maintained in part by volunteers of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA).
Rail-Trail
State: MI Length: 22 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Battle Creek Linear Park Trail covers 22 miles of interconnected paved path in and around the city of Battle Creek, which is situated at the confluence of the Kalamazoo and Battle Creek rivers. A former railroad line is the spine of the trail system, which hugs the river banks. Several pathways depart and rejoin the main corridor form distinct trail loops. Despite its urban setting, the trail takes you over winding waterways and past woodlands before heading straight through the heart of downtown Battle Creek. The trail provides education as well as recreation. Dozens of signs indicate the surrounding animal and plant life, as well as the area's history and culture. To fully experience this trail system, start at the westernmost point, off Dickman and Brady roads. Here, the trail passes through a country setting as it winds east through neighborhoods and parks, and past schools and museums. Just a mile from the start the trail begins to travel along the banks of the Kalamazoo River. Before you cover too much ground, pick up a trail map and brochure from one of the boxes along the path. These brochures detail the four distinct loops (color-coded on the map) into which the system is divided. The map will help you plan a self-guided tour. When you reach downtown you'll find numerous points of interest, such as a bronze statue paying tribute to the Underground Railroad and the W.K. Kellogg House, the former home of the founder of the cereal company that still dominates this city. Bailey Park, at the trail's northeast corner, offers picnic areas, a ballpark and playgrounds, and restroom facilities. From here, you can follow the winding trail back to your starting point at Dickman and Brady roads.
State: MI Length: 2.50 miles Surface: Asphalt
Following the north side of the creek, the Buck Creek Trail provides a pleasant route through the city's neighborhoods and, with a new extension, connects the downtown area with a network of trails along the Grand River and up to Grand Rapids via the Grandville River Trail and Kent Trails. The pathway was built on a gypsum mine, which travelers can read about on two historical displays. A highlight of the trail is Wedgwood Park, offering many recreational amenities, including a baseball field, volleyball court, horseshoe pits and picnic grounds.
State: MI Length: 2 miles Surface: Asphalt
This is a nice short trail that follows an electric tower easement. It runs along a creek for a while and has some nice bridges at the crossings. It is mostly behind houses and runs through a couple of neighborhoods and schools.
State: MI Length: 58 miles Surface: Dirt
Fort Custer Recreation Area features 22 miles of hiking trails, 20 miles of mountain bike trails and 16 miles of bridle trails. Trails are open for cross-country skiing in the winter. The park also rents 2 mini cabins and 3 rustic cabins, with one rustic cabin along the banks of the Kalamazoo River. In terms of mountain biking trails, Fort Custer Recreation Area is composed of three loops: Red 7.2 miles, Green 5.6 miles, and Yellow 5.6 miles. The trails traverse hills, ravines, bogs, and streams. Maps are available at local bike shops or send SASE and 25 cents each to: Maps, PO Box 23, Augusta, MI 49012. Please see the Trail Website for more information. These trails are maintained in part by volunteers of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA).
State: MI Length: 6.80 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail is situated between two natural treasures: Lake Michigan to the west and the Manistee National Forest to the east. The pathway, built on an inactive section of the Chicago and West Michigan Railroad, provides an important connection between the communities of Muskegon, Fruitland, Dalton and Whitehall. Mid-way along, just north of Riley-Thompson Road, the sights and sounds will become quite different than the rest of the trail. Here, the Shivering Timbers roller coaster, one of many rides at Michigan's Adventure, the largest amusement park in the state, towers over the trail, so you might hear the rumble of the high-speed cars on its wooden tracks and the screaming of thrill-seekers for a short while. The rest of the trail will take you through peaceful forests and occasional meadows. At White Lake Drive, the trail meets with the White Lake Pathway that continues about 3 miles north through Whitehall and, in turn, connects to the Hart-Montague Trail. Future plans include extending the trail south to the Muskegon Lakeshore Trail and the Musketawa Trail.
State: MI Length: 6.50 miles Surface: Asphalt, Woodchips
The Fred Meijer Flat River Trail connects two mountain bike trails and five city parks in Greenville. The trail follows the winding Flat River, offering scenic views and incorporating forest and wetlands. Trail users can access parks, Community Center events, shopping, historic sites, the Flat River Museum and schools. A unique feature of the trail is the tunnel under the busy M57 highway that features a mural in mosaic depicting the local history. The Fred Meijer Flat River Trail connects to the Fred Meijer Heartland Trail (north to Alma) at Waterworks Park. Once the Fred Meijer Flat River Valley Rail-Trail (south to Lowell), the Fred Meijer Grand River Valley Rail-Trail (Lowell to Ionia) and the Fred Meijer Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee Rail-Trail (Ionia to Owosso) have all been developed, this trail will be a link in a 125-mile-long trail network.
State: MI Length: 41 miles Surface: Asphalt, Ballast, Gravel
The story of the 41-mile Fred Meijer Heartland Trail is one of generosity, dedication and can-do attitudes. Fred and Lena Meijer helped purchase the abandoned corridor in 1994, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy held it for safekeeping and a very active citizens group took over the trail's operation and development in 2000. Since then the corridor has blossomed into a scenic asphalt trail from the northern edge of Greenville to Edmore. From Lake Road in Greenville to the Village of Edmore, you will find a peaceful 22-mile stretch through prime agricultural lands, woods, meadows, wetlands and small historic towns. You can turn right on Sidney Road and head east about 1.5 miles to the Heritage Village at Montcalm Community College, a cluster of 20 historical buildings with artifacts depicting life in Michigan at the turn of the 20th century. While the grounds are open year-round, visitors to the annual Heritage Festival in August, and other special events throughout the year, can enter many of these buildings, including a one-room schoolhouse, a blacksmith shop and a town jail. Costumed reenactments make history come alive at those times. A historic 1887 trestle bridge (former road bridge) gets you over Fish Creek at Mile 6, halfway between Sidney and Stanton. Just two miles from Stanton, at Mile 5.5, the trail passes through the first of two wildlife areas along this trail, the Stanton State Game Area. In the warm months, the trail is abloom with many native wildflowers, all of which are documented and on display at the herbarium exhibit at Montcalm Community College. Another trailside attraction paying tribute to the past is the Railroad Worker Memorial in Stanton at Mile 7.5. Stanton, the seat of Montcalm County, offers a variety of eateries, from fast food to home cooking, and a few local shops that carry clothing and other supplies. Back on the trail, you run right up to the Mid-Michigan Motorplex Dragstrip at Mile 9.5, where you may be able to catch a glimp
State: MI Length: 9 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Fred Meijer M-6 Trail runs for 9 miles paralleling Michigan Highway 6/Paul B. Henry Expressway south of Grand Rapids (a.k.a. the M-6). As such, it's not the most quiet of trails, but it still offers a great alternative to driving. The paved trail alternates from running along both the south and north sides of the freeway. To get around the cloverleaf interchange that links M-6 and US 131, take the sidewalk. Use extreme caution at all road crossings, as motorists are not always aware of pedestrians using the trail at crossings. The Fred Meijer M-6 Trail connects the Paul Henry Thornapple Trail to the Kent Trails.
State: MI Length: 8.50 miles Surface: Asphalt, Crushed Stone
Millennium Park provides paved, all-purpose trails along the Grand River for cycling, walking, running and in-line skating. Public access is available. Motorized vehicles are prohibited on the all-purpose trails. All-Purpose Trails Rules & Regulations For everyone's safety, please observe the following rules: * No carrying of firearms or concealed weapons * Pets must be leashed maximum 6' length * No ponies or horses * Please don't post signs * No motorized vehicles
State: MI Length: 5.50 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail is the last trail of a dozen trails in western Michigan to be named after philanthropist and Rail-Trail Champion Fred Meijer. When complete, the trail will be an important connector between two long-distance rail-trails: the Musketawa Trail, stretching 25 miles from Marne to Muskegon, and the White Pine Trail State Park, running 93 miles from Grand Rapids to Cadillac. Currently, the paved trail spans two counties (Ottawa and Kent) as it travels from the southern terminus of the Musketawa Trail in Marne and heads southeast toward Walker, a suburb of Grand Rapids. It ends at the quaint, tree-lined Fred Meijer Park (across from Meijer headquarters), which features a bronze statue of the trail's namesake, benches, and a bike rack. The final phase of construction -- to Comstock Park to connect with the White Pine Trail -- is expected to be completed in 2013.
Grand Haven's Waterfront Trail is scenic route from the shore of Lake Michigan inland along the Grand River a short ways. You'll find shops and eateries, as well as plenty of boats, on the Grand River, as well as nice places to sit and enjoy the view from one of the landscaped parks. At the 3rd Street bridge, the trail crosses the river to Harbor Island.
State: MI Length: 5.40 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Grand River Edges Trail runs in loops on the east and west banks of the Grand River near downtown Grand Rapids. At the south end, the trail crosses back and forth over the river via pedestrian bridges, linking many city attractions, including several parks, some museums, the university and the planetarium. Shops, hotels and the convention center are also nearby. This southern segment runs between Fulton Street W. and Coldbrook St. NW. A disconnected northern segment runs between Ann Street and N. Park Street, just north of US 96. From here the trail crosses the bridge to the west side of the river to link up with the White Pine Trail State Park. There are plans to extend the Grand River Edges Trail both north and south of its current end points and to join the two disconnected segments.
State: MI Length: 3 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete
The Grand River Trail provides an important connection between Ottawa County and Kent Trails. With bridges over Rush and Buck creek and an underpass of 28th/Wilson street, this is the safest way to travel between Georgetown Township and Grand Rapids, avoiding Chicago Drive and railroad tracks completely. The route continues onto Indian Mounds Drive as a "split road" with the North lane dedicated to bidirectional bicycle/foot traffic, and the South lane is a one way Eastbound only automobile traffic street with a 25 MPH speed limit. A connector is planned for 2010 to extend the Buck Creek trail to the Grand River http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2010/03/grandville_dda_to_fund_most_of.html
State: MI Length: 22.70 miles Surface: Asphalt
The paved Hart-Montague Trail State Park is one of Michigan's great rural rail-trails. The trail is located in Oceana County, the "asparagus capital of the world," and the town of Hart hosts an annual asparagus festival complete with a parade, floats and an Asparagus Queen. Agriculture may have a hold on this area today, but Montague, Mears and Hart all have museums showcasing the time when the railroad and lumber industry reigned. The trail begins in Montague; from the trailhead a connecting trail—the 4-mile White Lake Pathway—heads south, crosses the White Lake River and continues through the city of White Hall. For the Hart Montague Trail, head north. Whichever way you go first, this is the spot to see the world's largest weathervane, a 48-foot structure depicting a Great Lakes schooner that went down in a 1901 storm. The southern segment of the trail is straight and flat. Christmas tree farms and orchards line the trail. Look for cherries, peaches, apples and even apricots and plums. Be on the lookout for deer milling around in the fields and orchards, especially in the morning and evening. Springtime features a colorful and fragrant trip past the blossoming fruit trees, while autumn brings the crunch of leaves of spectacular reds, oranges and gold. The trail moves north through the small towns of Rothbury, New Era, Shelby and Mears. Near Rothbury, a four-mile section between mile-markers 16 and 20 is available for horseback riders. Between Rothbury and Mears there are viewing platforms with picnic tables, offering scenic views of the wooded areas. The village of New Era is near the halfway point of the trail, and during the summer you can stop for homemade ice cream at the trailside dairy bar. In Mears, which has plenty of places to stop for food and water, you can spot remnant prairie grasses along the trail. The gently rolling terrain offers nice country vistas, w
State: MI Length: 12.20 miles Surface: Dirt
Ionia Recreation Area has rolling hills, open meadows, forested ridges, a deep lake nestled in the hills and a river winding through woods and fields. In terms of mountain biking, the trail consists of 3 loops: 2 green loops, and a brown loop. The brown loop is the smallest, at 2.8 miles, The green loop is really one big loop split into a 3.6 mile loop, and a 5.8 mile loop. This trail is intermediate but it is pretty technical and throws a lot of stuff at you like dips, hills, logs, sand, and tight turns. It goes through woods and is pretty rural with streams and railroad tracks. It is very scenic and very cool, and is very well keep up. It is a beautiful trail and is highly recommended. These trails are maintained in part by volunteers of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA).
State: MI Length: 34.50 miles Surface: Crushed Stone
The nine towns that once stood between Kalamazoo and South Haven were connected by train traffic from 1870 to 1970. Some of those towns have faded into the past, but the old railroad corridor linking Kalamazoo and South Haven still hums with activity as the 34.5-mile Kal-Haven rail-trail, itself a state park. Begin your adventure at the eastern trailhead on 10th Street in Kalamazoo. A refurbished caboose serves as the trail office and information center. The beginning of the trail is paved—though the majority of the route is crushed slag and limestone—and slopes gently downward. Trees flanking the trail offer many miles of shade before you enter the open fields of Mentha. Almost nothing remains of the old Mentha Plantation that built this area's reputation for producing some of the world's finest peppermint oil. Continuing west you pass on the south edge of Kendall and Gobles. The restored Bloomingdale Depot stands as the halfway point of the trail and houses a museum filled with railroad and local history. In Grand Junction a pedestrian walkway will carry you over active train tracks. About 1 mile before reaching Grand Junction, the bridle trail starts and follows the trail until 1 mile beyond the town of Kibbie. Just 2 miles past Grand Junction you will cross the Camelback Bridge, name by its unique curved camelback style, over Barber Creek. In early spring the trail here is lined with a white carpet of wild trilliums. The covered bridge over the Black River signals that you are nearing the end of the trail, and you begin winding uphill to the South Haven staging area.
State: MI Length: 14 miles Surface: Asphalt
When complete, the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail will run for 35 miles throughout the county. As of early 2012, 14 miles of the trail are complete in two disjointed segments. One segment runs between D Avenue in Cooper and Sutherland Park in Kalamazoo (9.2 miles), while the other runs east–west between the 10th Street trailhead of the Kal-Haven trail and Westnedge Avenue (4.8 miles). The north–south section features Verburg Park, Markin Glen County Park and the Kalamazoo Nature Center. You can link the two segments by an on-road route, which is signposted through downtown. Plans call for extending the trail south from the city to Portage Bicentennial Park and east to Battle Creek Linear Park.
State: MI Length: 15 miles Surface: Asphalt
Stitched through the fabric of the state's second largest metropolitan area, the Kent Trails system weaves together a resource that is both scenic and valuable. Resulting from the collaborative effort of six governmental entities, this system provides a unique opportunity for individuals and families to enjoy the outdoors close to home. As the trail threads through the urban patchwork, it passes industrial sites, winds along and over the Grand River, runs beside and under Interstate 196, and meanders through the rural countryside. All of this, tied together by the abandoned railroad, road corridors, surface streets and easements donated by private landowners to create the linear trail. For more information please see the Trail Websites.
State: MI Length: 20 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Lakeshore Connector Path runs along the eastern shore of Lake Michigan, between Grand Haven and Holland, a distance of nearly 20 miles. The paved path parallels Lakeshore Drive and offers access to beachfront parks along the way, including Kirk Park and Tunnel Park. You can also get to the lake at James Street and Riley Street. These areas have no facilities. Because the trail crosses private driveways, trail users must watch for traffic entering and exiting. Bikes are cautioned to keep their speed down, and families with small children should keep them near hand.
State: MI Length: 29.20 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Lakeside Trail includes a loop of nearly 30 miles of paved paths through the villages of Fruitport, Ferrysburg and Spring Lake. The main loop circles Spring Lake (the lake) and encompasses spur trails through the towns of Spring Lake and Ferrysburg. The trail links scenic parks with waterfront vistas, charming neighborhoods and village amenities. You can also connect to the Grand Haven Waterfront Trail and Linear Trail Park. In Ferrysburg there are widened shoulders on North Shore Road, which you can use to reach North Beach Park and North Pier Park along the Lake Michigan.
State: MI Length: 16.90 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Linear Trail Park trail winds its way through the town of Grand Haven paralleling several of the town's main thoroughfares. It connects on the west side at two points to the Lake Shore Connector Path.
State: MI Length: 14 miles Surface: Asphalt, Concrete
Muskegon's Lakeshore Trail provides scenic views of Lake Michigan and Muskegon Lake, while also passing among beautiful sand dunes, lively parks and the city of Muskegon itself. Small sections of the trail follow designated on-road bike lanes but easily link the segments of this lovely trail. The trail follows part of the old corridor of a rail that once served the former Sappi paper mill. Native plant landscaping along the trail has replaced brownfield sites and enhanced the natural aspects. And you'll have access to the historical sites, maritime attractions, the beach, restaurants and seasonal festivals. The Lakeshore Trail loops around Pere Marquette Park, where you can take in South Pier Light Station and the Muskegon Channel. The trail also links to longer regional trails, allowing you to extend your journey.
State: MI Length: 25 miles Surface: Asphalt
The 25-mile Musketawa Trail provides a patchwork of scenery from Muskegon to Marne, neatly divided by its four trailheads. From west to east the trailheads are in Muskegon at Broadway and in Ravenna, Conklin and Marne. Grand Rapids is only 4 miles east of the Marne trailhead, making it the most heavily used of these facilities. Leaving Muskegon on the paved trail you pass through light industrial and residential areas and skirt the county prison and the fairgrounds. Then sprawling hay fields and crops of blueberries, corn and cucumbers dominate the rest of the way to Ravenna. Ravenna, at mile 13, is considered the midpoint of the trail. Look closely at the old railroad water tower along the trail; the base was repaired and restored, and a replica wooden tank was installed to mirror its appearance during the era when the Grand Rapids and Indiana Railroad ran this line. The Ravenna business district, located about 0.5 mile north of the water tower and trailhead, is a good place to stop for a rest or to eat or stock up on snacks. The Crockery Creek trestle, just ahead, rises 45 feet above Crockery Creek. The eastern portion of the trail is more heavily shaded, passing through long stretches of open farmland and wooded landscapes of pines and maples. At the small village of Conklin, about halfway between Ravenna and Marne, there is another trailhead with no amenities. Despite its proximity to Grand Rapids, the Marne trailhead is in a rural area. Nevertheless, it is a hopping spot in every season. Bicyclists, runners, walkers, inline skaters and even horseback riders head here in warmer months, while snowshoers, cross-country skiers and snowmobilers taking to the trail when the snow flies. The Musketawa Trail will only get busier, as long-term plans call for extending it east to connect with Grand Rapids trails and west from Muskegon to meet the Hart-Montague Trail.
State: MI Length: 0.30 miles Surface: Dirt
Threading its way across our landscape, the North Country National Scenic Trail (NST) links outstanding scenic, natural, recreational, historic, and cultural areas in seven of our northern States--New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota. There are 581 miles of trail in Michigan which are certified--more than in any other state.
State: MI Length: 42 miles Surface: Asphalt, Cinder, Crushed Stone
When complete, the Paul Henry - Thornapple Trail will be a 42-mile, multi-use recreation trail, extending from Grand Rapids to Vermontville; it eventually may be extended to Jackson. The trail is being constructed on or near a former railroad corridor. Some sections have been completed, while others are either in development or proposal stage. The trail passes through farmlands, woodlands and small towns, coursing along and over rivers and creeks. Indeed, some people call it the most beautiful rail trial in Michigan. Part of its beauty is its proximity to the Thornapple River. Currently, paved sections of the trail include 2.5 miles through the heart of Kentwood. The southern 1.25 miles in Kentwood (Wing to Stauffer) runs through a rural area. The northern spur (Stauffer to Kalamazoo/44th) runs through neighborhoods and commercial sections of Kentwood. Three and a half miles of the Paul Henry - Thornapple Trail is paved between Middleville and Irving. Kent County Parks hopes to have another mile paved by the end of summer 2011, which will complete the paving between Dutton and Caledonia. The Thornapple Trail Association anticipates opening another trail section in 2012, linking Caledonia to Middleville, as well as paving a section through Hastings. For the most up-to-date information on the progress of this trail, or to get involved with this trail's development, visit the Thornapple Trail Association.
State: MI Length: 2.70 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Plaster Creek Trail provides a non-motorized way to access Grand Rapids neighborhoods via a pleasant, tree-lined route. The path meanders along a tributary of the Grand River from Ken-O-Sha Park to just past the Salvation Army Kroc Center at Division Avenue. The trail follows along city sidewalks at 28th Street SE/Route 11 (eastbound to Eastern Avenue) and Eastern Avenue (westbound to 28th Street). Plans call for the trail to continue northwest from Division Avenue, connecting with the Oxford Street trail, which connects to Millennium Park, a gateway to many other trails.
State: MI Length: 4 miles Surface: Asphalt
The Portage Bikeway trail system is a 17.5-mile network of multi-use trails throughout the city of Portage, south of Kalamazoo. The 4-mile segment through Portage Creek Bicentennial Park is cleared of snow in winter, as is a segment of the Portage Bikeway between Romence Road and Constitution Boulevard north and west to Hampton Street. The bikeway trails connect neighborhoods, parks, businesses and entertainment venues. In addition, you can boat in Portage Creek Bicentennial Park. Trail users may want to check out the Milham Avenue activity area and the Celery Flats Interpretive Center and Historical Area.
Portland, Michigan, is known as the City of Two Rivers, and the 8-mile Portland Riverwalk could well be called the Trail of Two Rivers. The paved rail-trail serves as a spine for a series of connecting trails, loops and city paths that circle Portland for approximately 15 miles. Locally, the trail is also called Rivertrail Linear Park. The trail is suburban by location but quiet enough to make you think you are in the country. Built and maintained by the Portland Parks and Recreation Department, the path connects schools and five parks, and follows the Grand and Looking Glass rivers. Be sure to bring your camera because there are four historic bridges, one railroad trestle bridge and three steel-truss bridges over the rivers and through the woods along the river. A good place to start is at Portland High School, where a slight downhill carries trail users through a canopy of maples and pines. After only 0.75 mile you can choose to turn onto a spur trail that enters the Bogue Flats Recreation Area of soccer and baseball fields, and then follows the Grand River for a short distance, with many scenic turnouts overlooking the river. Stop, sit on a bench and listen to all that nature has to say. Returning to main trail, 0.5 mile farther along than where you left it, a lovely old railroad bridge takes you over the Grand River. This is the first of three bridges, all of which allow fishing; you will likely see anglers casting for smallmouth bass, perch or trout from the structures. On the far side of the bridge another spur loops through a residential area and back to the trail; a spur from that loop heads into the historic part of town for shopping, restaurants, banks and insurance offices. Back on the main trail, you follow the Looking Glass River for a short distance and pass an observation deck and gazebo, where you can relax. As the trail continues at the south end of town, you pass under the interstate, where the trail turns right and leaves the old r
State: MI Length: 3.20 miles Surface: Asphalt
The White Lake Pathway provides an important connection between two neighboring towns that face each other across the beautiful White Lake. The trail traces a former railroad bed for just over 3 miles, offering picturesque views of the water and natural woodland and wetland settings along the way. The trail begins in Montague, where those interested in quirky and unique attractions can visit Ellenwood Park to check out the world's largest weathervane, which sits 48 feet tall and weighs 3,500 pounds. From Montague, trail-goers will cross a bridge over the White River and come to Covell Park, a favorite fishing spot with a boat launch and grassy picnic areas. History buffs may take interest in the park's World War I memorial and an interpretive marker describing the old saw mill on which the park was built. A little further south and you will reach Goodrich Park, the site of the White Lake marina and local events such as the Maritime Festival and Boat Show. The trail continues to its end in downtown Whitehall, with plenty of places to stop to eat or enjoy the sights. To extend your journey, pick up the Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail State Park in Montague to travel another 28 miles north through scenic rural landscapes. Or, in Whitehall, you can take the tree-lined Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail nearly 7 miles south to the town of Dalton.
State: MI Length: 92.10 miles Surface: Asphalt, Ballast, Crushed Stone, Gravel
The White Pine Trail is Michigan's longest rail-trail, following the former Grand Rapids and Indiana rail bed for 93.5 miles through five counties. This massive trail showcases a variety of landscapes, from swamps to forests to open farmland, plus numerous towns and cities. You will run across existing and in-development trails, too, as this corridor is the backbone of the state rail-trail system. The trail surface is a mix of ballast and blacktop, so a mountain bike or a hybrid bicycle is best to tackle the distance and terrain. When there are four or more inches of snow on the trail, snowmobiles are allowed from Russell Road (north of downtown Rockford) to the trail's north endpoint in Cadillac. The southern tip of the White Pine Trail is just north of Grand Rapids in Comstock Park. Heading north from here you'll have 21 miles of paved trail through mostly rural terrain. Several historic railroad trestles along the trail's length have been renovated for stream and river crossings. Just 8.2 miles from the trail's start, the town of Rockford has a scenic overlook of the Rogue River Dam, with plenty of picnic tables and benches from which to stop and enjoy the calming sound of the flowing, beautiful water. Heading north from Rockford you pass through small towns, such as Cedar Springs, Pierson and Morley. Big Rapids is located at mile 53.1 and has the distinction of housing the trail's longest bridge. Whites Bridge spans 319 feet over the Muskegon River. Big Rapids is also home to Ferris State University, which boasts an 880-acre campus with state-of-the-art facilities. Just north of Big Rapids is Paris; here the trail runs directly through Paris Park, which features camp-in-cabins, a canoe launch and a fishing concession along the banks of the Muskegon River. Heading north to Reed City, trail users can catch a view of the Yoplait Yogurt factory. A covered bridge is your ticket over the Hersey River in Reed City. Reed City is also on the east-west r
State: MI Length: 13 miles Surface: Dirt, Sand
In southwestern Michigan, 30 miles from Grand Rapids, you'll find 13 miles of trail for mountain biking; parts of the hilly, wooded route are shared with hikers. If you take the first shortcut for a 5 mile ride you will avoid most of the most challenging part of the trail. It is a very wooded area and full of ravines. A lot of the trail rides along the peaks of the ravines and a crash could end up in a long fall. If you finish the trail you will feel like you have made quite an accomplishment and if you are unexperienced you should be able to tackle most trails in Michigan. The trail includes a good variety of steep uphills and downhills with plenty of sand, rocks, logs, and roots to get in the way. Mastery of this trail requires great technique, skills and endurance. For the unexperienced, you can push your bike up some hills, carefully walk down others, take breaks, and allow more experienced riders to pass. Biking season: All year (sunrise to sunset). Other activities include bicycling, boating, camping (reservation), canoeing, fishing, hiking, historic site, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, water skiing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling. Lodging on site (cabins) and in Wayland. Dining in Hastings and Wayland. Bike shop in Kalamazoo (Break Away Bike). These trails are maintained in part by volunteers of the Michigan Mountain Biking Association (MMBA).