Explore the best rated trails in Thompsonville, MI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Buffalo Ridge Trail and Pere Marquette State Trail . With more than 14 trails covering 394 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.
Easy, mostly flat. Stroller friendly. Lovely views of the lake, trees and all kinds of birds and animals.
The trail is paved and mostly flat. Lots of trees and birds. The trail is not busy but there are friendly bikers and walkers along the way.
We rode from Evart to Baldwin. The Asphalt was pretty good up to Reed City. After Reed City the trail was scenic but became increasing difficult to ride. The gravel is loose in most places and not packed down. There was a lot of track imprints from snowmobile treads that made for a bumpy ride. It is remote but you are never far from M-10. We did the 61 mile round trip and it was quite the chore. I would only recommend this trail if you want a stiff workout. We only saw 2 other bikes the whole trip. I would be willing to bet this is more of a winter trail for cross country skis and snowmobiles.
Big rapids to Reed city is only good for walking, for biking it is very rough I don't recommend. Starting in Reed City going North is much smoother.
This trail saved my sanity during Covid and I've returned to ride it multiple times. I start at the newly renovated trailhead in Cadillac outside the Depot. Usually ride to Tustin and back. It's a slight downhill grade to Tustin and then uphill going back. Surface varies. Mostly forest but there are small farms and homes to see along the way. I have seen turtles twice on the path. Shoutout to Madeline Krentz for her description of this trail. My husband did have a spill once on roots that had pushed up the asphalt but fortunately no injury.
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!
The trail was amazing and it hardly had anyone else.
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