Find the top rated birding trails in Battle Creek, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
_71132_st.jpg)
_0_st.jpg)
_0_st.jpg)
Best access to this short trail is from Victory Park. The new hilly section up southeast from the park to the cemetery and through this park is the most shaded and scenic. The western portion is very peaceful but somewhat hard to find unless you follow the signs from downtown which has been a real mess due to repeated repaving of main street requiring M 99 detour. The trail is paved and in fairly good condition except through the cemetery (gravel) but easily manageable on a mountain bike. YOU CAN CONNECT TO THE FALLING WATERS TRAIL IN CONCORD VIA ALBION RD, WHICH HAS DECENT PAVED SHOULDER FOR PART OF THE WAY AND DOES NOT HAVE VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC.
Rode the entire trail from Concord to Weatherwax Rd trail head plus the beautiful new 1 mile paved spur to Falling Waters Park. Surface is in excellent condition, suitable for inline skating. Unlike a lot of rails-to-trails locations it has gentle curves to keep it interesting and outstanding detailed signage. It is completely rural and peaceful, very few houses even visible from trail, with vistas of several lakes and lots of wooded sections. Trail is mostly shaded, except where it runs on the causeway through Lime Lake.
One major downside: No access to drinking water directly on the trail. I found outdoor drinking fountain at the Middle School on West Street once the trail enters Jackson and the name changes to MLK Trail and surface is much less smooth past Weatherwax Road. Another worthwhile 1.5 mile detour is about 3-4 miles from Concord north on a small paved country road to the original historic site of the Spring Arbor settlement and college. Entrance is free, several markers explain the history and there is an old-fashioned hand pump which produces fresh cold water, what a delight on a very hot day.
Was in town for a MX race in Michigan. Had never been on this trail, we stopped in Goshen Friday and started there. Trail was nice, a few slight hills along the way. Many rest stops and bathrooms as well. The Krider Gardens along the way are very pretty. Trail was quite busy with bikers, many Amish were riding back and forth as well. Would like to do the whole trail from Elkhart to the end, another time.
I was riding from Alma to Greenville (FM Heartland), Greenville to Lowell (FM Flat River), Lowell to Ionia (FM Grand River), Ionia to Fowler (FM Clinton-Ionia-Shiawassee), then roads back to Alma.
On the FM Flat River segment I made it about 5 miles from Greenville, almost to Belding, before bailing and using roads to cut over to Ionia and skipping the Grand River segment.
FM Flat River between Greenville and Belding is not recommended or fun on any bike I can think of, due to occasional pockets of deep loose basalt that cause tires to dig in and fishtail/skid suddenly. Anti-truck and ATV barriers are missing and surface has loose areas from vehicle traffic. As of 7/3/18 the cover photo blocking tree is still across the trail too, though enough branches are trimmed off to climb through with a bike.
Disappointing as I wanted to do the whole loop, but the potential for this to be epic in the future is high.
I found the trail just wandering around my mom's neighborhood. There is a nice, flat concrete path that is shaded and quiet. What's really cool though are the many dirt/sand trails that snake through the forest, mostly next to the creek. There must be a few miles, bc I haven't seen all of them yet.
This was my first time riding this trail and boy am I glad I got the hardier frame and wider tires on the bike I just bought! This trail takes you through some of the most majestic views of Calhoun County/Battle Creek. I was humbled by how remote it all felt, as I know this is a slice between a hustle and bustle of manufacturing and residential areas. But there is so much more unadulterated land in the in-between to make you feel secluded and connected back to nature.
The trail was a bit rough maybe only 7% of the time, but I do caution not to go too fast on this trail as the pebbles and silt can make you wipe out. There are also many blind curves.
Overall, it is an excellent workout and a majestic area of land for scenery, highlighting much of what makes Michigan just so amazing.
I grew up in BC and NEVER went on this trail til now in my mid 30s. I have lived so many other places across the country and now I bring my bike home to explore. Battle Creek and Calhoun County are BLESSED to have the trails they do, and at the great expanse that they are!
I only passed 3 people on my trip today on this trail, but the trail itself looked as though and was heavily evidenced as though it is being taken care of on a regular basis.
Magical! Amazing!
This is the closest trail to my home, but as I much prefer paved trails, I find myself driving an hour north to the White Pine and Musketawa trails, south to the Pumpkinvine, and east to Falling Waters. The Kal-Haven is a chore, but would be wonderful if paved.
I really liked this trail. Very few people around. No dogs chasing after me. No kids. Can keep a high rate of speed throughout.Good hills for a little workout. However their was a bird who must be protecting a nest because it kept on dive bombing me. It did not hurt. It was persistent but I moved my arm above my head and would swat it away. Finally I was out of its perceived danger zone and it went on its way.
This is a great trail to check out.
Lots of riding along the river and downtown. The downtown section has stop and go between streets, but also has some good history with monuments and such (to be expected in a downtown, at least your not riding on the street).
The areas outside of downtown have fewer/no cross streets and wildlife.
Trail does have some tree root growth in areas, but normal compared to other ones that I have ridden.
I didn't have any issues getting around, but somewhat familiar with the area so it might be good to have a map or better your phone, since there are ancillary trails that you can ride around.Good trail with beautiful scenery.
Great scenery. Paths not clearly marked. The 10.5 mile loop requires crossing 15 roads - some are BUSY!! After Limit St, the path is not very well maintained. Watch for debris, cracks, holes, and broken glass. Easy to ride. Not alot of hills. The section along the river cannot be beat.
mostly rock and grass between Belding and Greenville. Not rideable at all in current state.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
_135475_st.jpg)
