Explore the best rated trails in Ontonagon, MI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Bill Nicholls Trail and Ontonagon to Rockland Trail . With more than 14 trails covering 417 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.
Rode this from ontonogon for a few Miles. It’s well maintained for Atv which use it heavily. There isn’t much of a shoulder to get over for them. I’m it sure how two atv pass one another. It’s tight. The atv I encountered were nice and slowed down to not kick up dust for us. I don’t recommend for bikes unless you have a fat tire. Some parts of this were ankle twisters, when we got off to move off trail for the atvers
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.
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!
We rode the entire trail beginning at the train depot in Ironwood to Ramsay and then back to Ironwood. There are bathrooms and parking in Ironwood and a portable toilet in Bessemer. The entire trail is paved and very smooth. From Ironwood to Bessemer the trail is quite flat. After Bessemer and into Ramsay (about 7.5 mile mark) the trail gets hilly. The hills were manageable in low gear for my 60+ age. Use caution at the few street crossings; the cars do not give the bikes the right of way. Overall, it was a great ride.
Biked Ironwwod to Ramsey on this sweet PAVED trail teeming with wild flowers. At mile 3.5 it leaves Hwy 2 and becomes completely wooden. Saw a deer and beaver dam. Loved reading the historic signs.
I’ve traveled the route on a number of occasions between Land O’ Lakes and Watersmeet. This has to be one of the most torturous routes I’ve ever been on. Terribly washboarded, and apparently seldom maintained. Come on MI!
We rode this trail from the Hurley trail head, very nice (and well maintained) black topped trail, mostly flat with interesting signs about the area’s history and some original railroad bridges. Some of the street transitions are rough and you don’t have the right of way so be careful when crossing the roads (there are stop signs to let you know). The trail runs parallel to the ATV trail and there are caution signs for crossing areas for them also. Very nice ride-would recommend.
We completed the 9.5 mile ride to Ramsey and returned back to Ironwood on July 22. It was a very pleasant ride through woods, wildflowers and small communities. Use caution at the road cossings and don't expect drivers to stop for you!
This trail is in excellent condition. So smooth and pretty shady for a summer ride. ATVs ride a trail beside and shared it for a few short paved sections. It’s up and down all the way to Ramsay. Plenty of benches, picnic tables and repair stations along the way. Lots of wildlife. We rode 4th of July weekend, pretty light traffic. Highly recommend!
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