Explore the best rated trails in Chassell, MI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Gay - Mohawk Trail and Bill Nicholls Trail . With more than 14 trails covering 374 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.
I ran (with a healthy dose of walking) the whole trail last weekend starting in Sidnaw. I found it to be a delightful trail, traversing many miles of northwoods with a few sections passing open farmland. I lost count of the apple trees (many with tasty apples) and grouse we spotted. There are opportunities for store stops in at least Bruce Crossing and Ewen (there's a good looking bar right on the trail in Ewen).
ORV traffic is definitely a thing, but we found people were 100% friendly and respectful to foot travelers. In fact, we were pretty sure that the word went out that we'd been on the trail all day and toward the western end people waved etc. Bring a bandana to deal with dust if it's been dry.
The surface is varied, but notably rocky in sections: wear shoes with a rock plate. I would not bike this trail on anything but a bike with 30+mm tires, and even then, it would likely be a slog. The highway is often nearby, but traffic is minimal and didn't bother me at all.
Agate Falls may be the most dramatic sight I've yet seen on a rail trail (and I have walked lots of the biggest rail trails). Absolutely stunning.
I would do this trail again (and hope to). Also note: the trail is 46mi long as measured by two Garmin GPS watches.
If you like potholes, rocks, and ATV's dust then this is the trail for you. We bike with traditional bikes, not fat tire so it was slow going because of potholes and deep gravel in places. Used to be nice bike trail
We rode the trail on a July morning--68 degrees and sunny, perfect for biking--from downtown Marquette to Ishpeming and back, a total of about 37 miles, with a side trip to the Michigan Iron Industry Museum. This trail totally exceeded my expectations in terms of scenery and historical information. It had a terrific asphalt surface for 75% of the way and the gravel sections were smooth and easy. The first six miles out of Marquette are quite steep and there are many up and down sections along the whole trail. This only added interest and fun (compared to some flat, straight rail trails). We ride Class 1 e-bikes so we had assist when we needed it. Lots of benches and a few restrooms along the way. Encountered a charming group of children on decorated bikes parading through Negaunee along the way. Perfect!
Highly recommend the Midtown Bakery and Cafe in Check out the Herbed Lemonade--right along the main street across the street from the Love and Bicycles bike shop downtown. (One member of our group of 6 needed a wheel repair and the bike store had this done in two hours.). On the way back, we took the marked cut off to the Michigan Iron Industry Museum--an easy 1 mile track through the woods to an well-designed museum where we spent an hour learning lots about the region. Many well-composed trail signs along the way also offer historical information.
Marquette itself was a beautiful city with friendly people and many good restaurants and an easy-going vibe. We rode the Marquette Multi-Use Path along Lake Superior up to spectacular Presque Isle Park the next day, stopping at galleries along the way. Totally recommend this Michigan Upper Penninsula riding experience!
Much better ATV, motorcycle, Snowmobile, cross country ski trail. Gravel was deep in places and chunky. Many potholes you have to watch out for. 2 miles south of Calumet there are 2 - 100 foot sections of water with a “wet area” sign so they must stay wet a lot. Yesterday they were 18” deep in the middle. Saw 2 ATVs which were both courteous enough to slow down around us so we wouldn’t get covered in dust. The one teenage boy on a dirt bike was stupid. I heard him coming up behind us pretty quick and thought it was another atv. We were riding side by side so I moved over to my right just as he gunned it to cut between us. Fortunately my reflexes are still good and we only brushed each other as I cut back to the left. The ride south to Hancock was so much of a grind we decided to take the US 41 shoulder for the return trip.
Full disclosure, I haven't ridden this yet but plan to this summer. The reason for my review is that from Google Street and satellite view it appears there is a nice new paved path (so you can avoid riding on US 41) from Van Riper SP to Champion. This new trail (which just for fun I think they should name the Van Riper State Park/Greater Metropolitan Champion Intergalactic Intermodal Corridor because when typed out is nearly longer than the new trail itself) ends at Daliba Street which you can then take to where the R/CG trail begins behind the what now appears to be abandoned Mini-mart. I'll give it the benefit of the doubt and 4 stars and update post ride. There also appears to be trailhead parking on the north of US 41 just to the west of the Van Riper SP entrance although for bathrooms and water you would have to go to the state park. Happy Trails.
We camped in Tourist Park and biked to the trail from one of the city trails. The first day, we biked up to Presque Isle Park on the city trail before heading south along the lake to the actual trail. You’re biking along Lake Superior on both the city and Iron Ore trails. The Iron Ore continues along the lake for quite a few miles before going into wooded area. We turned back when reaching Harvey. The next day we biked downtown on the city trails, then headed west on the Iron Ore Trail, a gradual incline trail. I eventually used my e-assist when the pavement changed to a crushed stone, not knowing how much longer I would be climbing. It wasn’t much further, becoming a less strenuous ride. We stopped in Negaunee at the Upper Peninsula Brewery for some refreshments. The return trip was all downhill, allowing lots of coasting. Our second stop was at Barrel & Beam, before coasting back to town where more breweries await!
I've Ridden this trail in Sections Several Times during my Visits to Marquette. If You want to ride along the water, which is gorgeous, you can start on the IOHT south of town. There is a Parking lot off the to the left side of the main Hwy. You can then ride all the way up to Presque Isle Park and Back. I Highly Recommend This Route!.
The second Route Starts at the same place then stay on the IOHT when it splits off to the left once you get to town. To be Honest, I lost the Trail due to construction but picked it up again by the Stay Bridge Suites Hotel. It goes straight west out of town. As Mentioned by others, you experience and incline gradient at least until you get to the train trestle. Stop there for a moment because it's pretty neat. A lot of old Iron Ore Pellets are all over the ground. There are a number of Historical Markers and Art Works along the way after that. I highly recommend this and the other trails in the Marquette area. Thanks BN
Mainly orv/snowmobile path. Along rivers and power lines. Be cautious of wolves in the area. Multiple small bridges over river crossings.
Awesome trail. Both paved and good gravel sections. We are five relatively fit men and women ages 64, 65, 66, 67, and 70. Our 70 year old rode a fat tire e-bike, but the rest of us had regular road bikes. We parked in Harvey and rode the trail to Negaunee and back, a 30-mile round trip. The constant uphill climb from Marquette into a breeze from the west was a challenge but the scenery is wonderful! We rested and ate lunch at a sweet café in Negaunee, the Midtown Bakery and Café, and then headed back. Since our return was pretty much all downhill, we finished 30 minutes faster than the first half of the ride. I really recommend this trail.
I rode the Iron Ore trail from downtown Marquette west on a rented hybrid bike. I was unprepared for the constant upward grade. Once the trail turned from paved to gravel, it got more challenging. After about an hour, covered with sweat, I was still short of Negaunee, so I turned back. I coasted every one of many miles back, never pedaling, and always with the brake ready. If you're looking for a workout, this trail is for you. It isn't what I wanted on a hot July day.
I did appreciate the historic signage along the trail. It seems that the grade was deliberate. Iron ore would be loaded, first on a plank road, then on rail cars, and easily transported downhill to the port. Then empty cars would go back uphill for another load. Makes sense!
Rode from Ishpenning to the Iron Ore History Museum and back. The trail is paved, well maintained, shady and secluded with little traffic on a Tuesday morning in July. There is one long, moderate grade from the museum back toward Ishpenning but doable with good gears even for this elder amatuer. Signage for jogs through towns could be better but Google maps will set you straight.
West End Ski and Trail in Ishpenning were great for renting bikes. Excellent bikes and service and a friendly, home town, experience.
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