Explore the best rated trails in Empire, MI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Buffalo Ridge Trail and Irons Area Tourist Association Snowmobile Trail . With more than 12 trails covering 247 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 got on the trail at the Fouch Road trailhead and rode north to Suttons Bay. It was an easy 12 miles up and back. The trail is well maintained with slight elevation changes. You pass by many corn fields and cherry tree orchards. The shade from tree canopies is great. There is one spot you think you are about to enter a tunnel but it is just thick trees. There are many humorous signs along the way so look out for them. We saw a couple of trail signs pointing out where you can grab a bite but we didn’t stop. If we had more time I would have stayed in Suttons Bay to eat and view Travis Bay.
We went camping in Benzonia along the River. Road our bikes and got on the trail in Beulah. We headed West towards Frankfort. The ride past Crystal Lake was beautiful. We stopped on our way back to cool off in the water. There is public access near when you cross 115.
It is a gem of a trail, but during tourist season, it can be busier especially on weekends. Road crossings are generally pretty chill, but closer to TC be more cautious with drivers. If you park in Suttons Bay, you can cool down with a nice walk after the ride at the Leo Creek Preserve, which has beautiful gardens in the summer.
Beautiful trail as others have written. But the person who wrote about missing signs around Glen Arbor is spot-on. Glen Arbor is a fine tourist town with plenty of places to eat, but also a lot of pedestrians and traffic you need to watch out for - which makes it even harder to know which streets to turn on. Larger and more plentiful signs would be helpful.
Easy, mostly flat. Stroller friendly. Lovely views of the lake, trees and all kinds of birds and animals.
Drove to Frankfort from Cadillac and parked. Easy to hop on the bike trail. Rode to Beulah for lunch and also explored along Crystal Lake. Beautiful ride. Thank you to Madeline Krentz for the recommend.
Started in Empire and rode a few miles or so past Glen Arbor, where it turned to loose pea stone. Wife wasn’t crazy about that so we turned around. We spotted a porcupine strolling down the trail the first day and a bobcat the second. A truly amazing and beautiful trail!
Very nice for walking and biking. First aprox. 10 miles starting from Frankfort are well maintained and are good for regular bikes. The last half of the trail is only recommendable for mountain bikes.
This is a smooth, curvy, hilly, leafy, over-all splendid trail that is extraordinarily well-maintained and a joy to ride. We rode Class 1 pedal-assist (no throttle) Gazelle e-bikes from the Empire trailhead (new pit toilet at parking lot, no water), just north of Empire, to Glen Arbor, 20.1 miles round trip. The trail continues beyond Glen Arbor. There are some significant uphill stretches (right out of Empire for 2.5 miles) and one major 12% grade long hill. On our e-bikes, these were just fun. The section from Glen Arbor north, which we road on a different trip, is much flatter. The return trip from Glen Arbor to the Empire trailhead is much more downhill, with the exception of the very steep and long (12% grade) hill I mentioned above. Signage on the trail forewarns you about upcoming curves and hills. Be prepared for big winds off the lake--we experienced gusts up to 28 mph.
Leaving from Empire trailhead, the trail goes through densely shaded areas to brilliantly sunny stretches by the Dune Walk and up to Glen Haven, where there are public bathrooms/changing rooms, fresh water, and a stunning beach on Lake Michigan. The path continues through the national park campground and then through a forested area (with signs indicating recent black bear sightings) and then into Glen Arbor. Lots of places to buy lunch in Glen Arbor, although we could find only one public restroom by the Farmer's Market and were not able to find a park with picnic tables. There's an IGA grocery store just as you come into town.
We rode on a Tuesday morning in mid-June and there were only a few other riders on the trail. Highly recommend a stop at Grocer's Daughter Chocolates and Gelato in Empire afterwards--best strawberry rhubarb sorbetto I've ever tasted!
We've ridden more than 75 trails and this is one of our all-time favorites. Next time, we'll ride from beginning to end!
Really nice trail—much of it along the water. About 50% shaded. We rode from Frankfort to about 3 miles beyond Beulah towards Thompsonville. We have 1.75 inch width wheels so crushed limestone and gravel two-track sections were not a problem. Asphalt section was remarkably smooth! Stopped at a small park with great shelter at the Beulah beach on the way back. Bring your swimsuit! This was about 24 miles round trip. Scenery was varied, and the trail was pleasantly curvy. Highly recommend!
This is a very nice walk, mostly on boardwalk Great birding opportunity. From the Arcadia /Rt 22 trailhead you can go about one-half mile then the trail is closed Apr 15 to Jul 15 to protect nesting habitat. Still a very lovely walk. You can enter from the St. Pierre Rd trailhead and go less than a quarter mile.
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