Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Kalamazoo, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
As of June 2024 trail is now fully open.
First- many kudos to the people who care for this trail. Thank you!! We rode the trail from Shipshewana to Gohshen yesterday and my wife and I found ourselves saying Wow at nearly every turn. Although there are quite a few road crossings none were problematic. This is not a trail to get on and go flat out for exercise rather it is a trail to go at a relaxing pace and enjoy the scenery and the many people who are also enjoying the trail. We will do the trail again in the fall.
I look forward to doing a marathon training long run on trail starting between Shipshewana and Middlebury towards Goshen every year! Such a great and scenic trail.
I've been running a couple different out and back stretches between McPherson Ave and Greenville about three times a week from spring to fall for about 4 years now.
I can see how the surface might not be good for skinny wheel bikes in areas, but for runners. the surface is pretty great. Not only is it a softer impact surface than asphalt, even better, no crown in the path is needed to shed water. No crown means a perfect flat surface across the path. I can run on the sides, out of biker's way, and not have one leg travelling farther than the other to make up for the drop in the crown, screwing up my hips and back.
Sounds amazing underfoot, too.
Not to mention the nature and surroundings.
I ran by a fawn sleeping right in the middle of the path a couple days ago. Eagles, Sand Hill Cranes, Fox, all kinds of water birds. It's amazing.
Please never pave this path. Touch it up here and there, but no asphalt.
We enjoyed this trail very much. We started out in Goshen and headed west to Middlebury. I wish we could have ridden all the way to Shipshewana, but will have to save that for another time! Farmland for as far as you can see to the left and the right on the path. The path is true to its name as it winds through farmland. We saw groups of Amish playing baseball. We enjoyed a special treat when we arrived in Middlebury as we toured the Krider nursery replica of the World's Fair exhibit. BEAUTIFUL in May, so I'm sure when the roses bloom it will be incredible for the senses!
We rode this trail from Concord to Jackson. The trail began crossing the Kalamazoo River. The ride was not really that exciting, except as we got to Jackson, there were several sculptures on display and even for sale! The wind from Jackson back to Concord was brutal. All in all, it was a nice ride and the weather was spectacular!
One of my favorite trails to longboard on. The segment by Spring Arbor that perfectly cuts through the lake is especially beautiful in the summer. Some bikers can be going fast so just be mindful of your surroundings, but it's a great trail beginning to end.
We ride this path a lot, and Grand Haven’s bike path is horrible. They did resurface part but need to fix the ENTIRE thing. Holland’s is ok definitely rideable. The scenery is great and to end up at the beach which is beautiful.
If you like water, wildlife, serenity, and long, straight, flat trails enveloped by a canopy of trees, then this is the trail for you.
I started at the Concord trailhead, and as I made my way past the north branch of the Kalamazoo River, along the trail beneath the canopy of trees, and eventually to the causeway across Lime Lake before another canopy of trees to Jackson, I kept thinking to myself how great it must be to live nearby and to enjoy this trail year-round and its four seasons.
I experienced it on a brisk, early October morn and enjoyed the beginnings of fall color and the golden brown, leaf covered path. As a visitor from suburban southern California, I don't really get to enjoy that Autumn color back home.
I especially appreciated the clean air, picturesque scenery, solitude, modern whimsical sculptures near the Jackson trailhead, and the outgoing and friendly locals utilizing the trail.
The bike ride was only a twenty-two mile round trip, but it was certainly worth the journey for me from SoCal to enjoy this idyllic setting!
In my quest to ride my bike in all fifty states,I drove over 2,000 miles from southern California to ride thirty-four miles on this trail in early October. I was not disappointed! This is truly a five star trail, the quintessential Rails-to-Trails experience! There aren't enough superlatives to describe this trail!
In simplest terms, this curvy trail through the Indiana countryside made this sixty-eight year old guy happy. I realized I was actually smiling as I pedaled through the woods upon a carpet of golden brown leaves. The corn fields are amazing, as are the farms and their pastures of grazing horses, cows, and sheep.
I especially enjoyed my interactions with the friendly Amish community. Whether on their bikes, walking, in their yards, or passing by and waving from their horse drawn carriages, they comprised at least 75% of the people I encountered. I think the trail should be nicknamed "The Amish Trail" in their honor. There sure as heck aren't any pumpkins!
Elkhart County, you are to be commended, and your trail deserves Hall of Fame status!
This is my new favorite trail. Sparkling clear lakes appear on one or both sides of the trail with spots for sitting and enjoying the views. We saw several pairs of swans.
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