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.

Start Down in Harvey on the Iron Ore Heritage Trail and ride to Marquette. The trail merges with the Multi Use Path in Marquette. Ride up to Presque Isle Park. The trail hugs the shore line of Lake Superior all the way. Its a beautiful ride! Check out the shore line on the north side of Presque Isle Park. The Black Rocks, volcanic?, are very cool indeed. Love this place!

Rode from ishpeming to iron museum. Glad I read the reviews. Going up the steep section would've required dismounting. There was some confusion on signage since there were mtn bike and orv trails that intersected ioht. Loved the trail markers and the kiosks and interpretive signs were great. There is more parking than indicated in this writeup. Also more trailheads. Pleasant trail all around.

Starting at Tesch its a Crushed Limestone Trail In Good Condition. Then heading West for approx. 1 Mile just past the Village of Schaffer the Gravel ends and the Dust and Ruts begin.The rest is Tore Up Cinders, Terribly Rutted and Mud Holes, some over a foot deep. Very little Law Enforcement seen so Be Careful out there.
For a State Department of Natural Resources Trail its Pathetic. Dead Trees hanging over the trail also.
Don't get me wrong in Jan. Feb. and maybe into March its Groomed on a Regular Basis but the Other 9 Months Very Poor Riding Conditions.

Beautiful hike with frequent nice views of streams and lakes. It is a fairly long hike, over 9 miles and we started late in the day, we had to stop at a midway point and hike the road back to Pete's Lake campground. 2nd day we had a fellow camper drop us off at the road crossing we ended at previous day and completed the trail.

From when I rode on the Felch trail it seemed fine to me

Starting from the Republic end...not signed or marked, encountered off road vehicles and trucks w beer drinkers, beaver flooding make it nearly impossible.
These folks need to know that designating and maintaining a trail for non motorized use will bring in people. The way it is it's not worth the drive.

Trail is very rough not very well maintained by DNR at this time.

As a former resident of Marquette and mining company employee, I was really curious about what the trail would show me. It turned out to be things I never knew existed.

I began my ride in Marquette knowing that it is a near constant climb toward Negaunee, where I began my return trip. I had ridden between the two towns a number of times on US 41/M-28, but that was 35 years and about 70 pounds ago. It really is not any easier on the rail trail.

Near Midway the trail separates from the original rail bed and goes alongside no longer using the earthen trestles and rock cuts. It gives the trail a bit more character and certainly some opportunities to coast. Most hills are short and not overly steep.

The return trip was much easier in that from Midway, I was able to coast into Marquette at twice the speed as my climb to the west.

The trail surface pavement was in excellent condition, the information plaques interesting, and the scenery varied from industrial sites to wetlands and wooded areas. The gravel surface was harder to ride in that the aggregate could have been finer and there were a few wash outs and loose gravel.

I would most certainly go again.