Explore the best rated trails in Big Rapids, MI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Grand River Edges Trail and Fred Meijer Flat River Valley Rail Trail . With more than 22 trails covering 537 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
We have now rode nearly every section of the trail several times and highly recommend it. My favorite parts are from Ashton to Cadillac and from Cedar Rapids to Grand Rapids.
This is an excellent trail, great signage, benches, picnic tables, bathrooms, food stops along the way and beautiful views. The tree identifications are wonderful. Highly recommend. The trail is in excellent condition.
I drove quite a way to have difficulty finding parking, and signage. We chose the path because of the miles thinking we could get a good exercise but never saw half of the trail because we were lost. No very good pretty either.
This trail caused me to actually fall into a sink hole and brake through the cement . It has holes, huge cracks, unseen and discovered sink holes, horse crap randomly left around. It would be a beautiful path and was at one point but horse back and snowmobile riders have trashed it. And there was literally no maintenance kept on it.
Today we rode from the trailhead/parking lot at Frankfort east to Beulah. The paved portion rode through pretty countryside, and the fall colors were very nice. The gravel section leading into downtown Beulah was not as much fun. It felt a little awkward rolling through people’s front yards. But a lovely afternoon on the bike! Almost no elevation change, and pavement in very good shape.
I applaud the State of Michigan for making this trail system possible. This truly is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast in many capacities. Friends from Dayton (OH) and Kalamazoo recently convened in Cadillac to cycle the entire 92-mile route, and must confess that we had an absolute blast! This is an incredible trail network that has the capacity to enhance tourism and economic growth along with supporting wellness and fitness, and reinforce the State’s natural beauty and outdoor appeal. Michigan - You rock! Thank you! Gary Victor Kettering, OH
It's a nice round trip with good scenery in the southern segment, though linking up with the northern portion is bit annoying, and the pavement in the northern area can be *very* rough.
Rode this in August 2025 entire length and back and enjoyed it very much. Completely paved and is very smooth with lots of country and small towns to enjoy. Looking for a nice day ride near the big lake, take a ride here.
Just finishing up the entire trail this week and impressed. The only rough spots are coming north out of Grand Rapids to just north of Rockford it can be congested and bumpy from cracks and root heaves. From Big Rapids to Reed City is can be the same as well without the congestion. The entire trail is paved and is smooth and enjoyable to ride.
Just a gorgeous trail. Super smooth and wide. Canopy of trees in many sections. Goes through several great little towns. Country Dairy in New Era has great ice cream and chocolate milk. Shelby has a newer huge park. Bathrooms in almost every town. I'm from Wisconsin and would return to this trail.
We parked at the former train station, looks to be kept up and refurbished, located on 2nd Street in Vestaburg. Biked to Alma for lunch and back. 13 miles one way. This part of the trail is in very good condition, well maintained and even a section recently sealcoated. Downhill glide from Vestaburg to Alma for steady gradual uphill climb back to Vestaburg. Trail passes through a few small old railroad towns. We also found this section to be very heavily wooded offering plenty of shade. Passes by open farmlands as well. We would definitely put this on our ride again list!
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