Explore the best rated trails in Crystal Falls, MI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Iron Ore Heritage Trail and Watersmeet to Land O'Lakes Trail . With more than 20 trails covering 616 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.
This trail was fun, beautiful, safe and right off Buffalo Campground. The trail was all paved, a few bumps here and there, it takes you through deep woods, over bridges and rivers to see from the bridges. Loved this bike path! If you’re in the area it’s definitely a must ride.
Started in Phelps right next to Candy/IceCream store! Nice place to relax and overlook the lake with clean bathrooms. Rode to Conover and had a great time at Club 45 (great burgers) which was 1.5 miles off the trail. Nicely paved riding out of Phelps with fun hills and curves. Trail flattens out a few miles out of Phelps. Pretty ride to Conover through the woods.
Awesome trail! It was scenic, curvy, n hilly (small hills). Parked at Don Burnside park In Three Lakes, it’s right by the trail head. Make sure to bring money for Eagle River! The Osprey nest was cool to see and hear! I thought the three bridges were super cool too.
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!
Started in Phelps becomes very hilly, pavement ends after two miles. Then crushed gravel, trail flatten out. Pretty remote not my favorite. Stay with the Villas county trails. ¿¿
We parked at the trailhead in Conover. Rode east for 9.5 miles. Approximately the first 4 miles is crushed stone and somewhat loose. My reason for only 4 stars. There are no outhouses in the area we rode. It was a steady climb out. About a mile before our turnaround there was a loose gravel portion with a steady climb that turned to paved with a higher grade. We only rode about 1/2 mile on the paved hills and it was breathtaking. Not in the view sense either. (67 and 68 years riding on human power bikes). The return trip was much easier, the grade allowed for momentum in the climbs going down one hill and up the other with little effort. The trail crosses the highway twice. Both are at straightaways on the road making vehicle traffic visible to safe crossing.
We parked at the Dairy Queen Trailhead in Eagle River. There are mile markers every 1/2 mile. We biked out 9.25 miles to the 3.5 mile marker. The bridges were well kept. Three paved hills on the trail were manageable by two retirees ( 67 & 68) on human power bikes. The trail is well groomed. It is crushed gravel. The off trail road portion is 1.5 miles with mild rolling hills the entire way. There is an outhouse about 3 miles from Eagle River and another about 8 miles from Eagle River. The path winds through the woods with 1-2 open areas. It is fairly level other than the three paved hills previously mentioned. There are gates at the crossroads the first 3 miles open enough for a bike to get through, but not enough for an ATV. There are no crossroads after about 5.5 miles when back on the trail from the road portion.
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 tried to find this trail on the Iron Mountain end. No luck and disappointing that it isn't more clearly posted
We thought the trail was in great shape. We rode it in September of 2023 on gravel bikes. It was leaf covered which had us worried after the other reviews, but we did not encounter any ruts or washouts. There were a few short segments that were also ATV trails, but they were in great shape and not rutted. I would not ride a road bike on this trail, but it is great for any bike with wider tires—I think we have 34s on our gravel bikes. I submitted two pictures and accidentally said they were from October 2023 when they were really from late September 2023. We are camping and I haven’t been thinking about dates!
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