Find the top rated running trails in Benton Harbor, whether you're looking for an easy short running trail or a long running trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a running trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I started in Hartford on a gravel bike with 40 tires. The trail is barely visible and there are potholes and deep sand everywhere. It needs to be paved to make it more accessible. Only 3 miles of the trail are paved.
Late August I rode the Kal-Haven from South Haven to Kalamazoo and back. I suppose it should be called the Haven-Kal?
The trail was in perfect condition. Very well maintained. In fact midway there was a downed tree blocking the trail. On the way back a few hours later, it had been removed! Kudos to the trail maintenance team.
Ride with GPS indicated a total vertical ascent of 1436 feet, but my Wahoo recorded 630 feet. Typical of RWG, I guess. It's pretty flat. I didn't really notice any significant hills.
Lots of people on the trail, but not too many. Straight in many sections but never boring.
My only negative opinion of the trail are the stop signs. The trail crosses many country roads, some paved, some gravel, every 1 mile and often every half mile. So there are stop signs. And you need to stop and check because there are cars some going fast. But they get annoying and tiresome. Just when you build up your speed and are in a good cruising flow, you see a stop sign, and have to brake, downshift and unclip. And then build up speed again, only to unclip again, multiplied by 100 times over the out and back. Ug.
Rode this trail last year. Started in Goshen and headed toward Middlebury. There is a large section of trail that is exposed to the wind. Chose a calm day, it’s not pleasant riding into a 20 mph wind!¿
The trail is nice but be careful with small sinkholes . There are many ….. at least at the section from South Heaven (I rode about 15 miles). I rode in one of them and fell down pretty badly.
I rode from Kalamazoo to South Haven, staying 2 nights in South Haven, and returning to Kalamazoo on July 1. I love this trail and my trip was great. The east part of the trail is narrower and has more shade and the surface is older. About midway the trail is wider and has fresh crushed limestone. I stopped at a Dollar General at Bloomingdale to get snacks for lunch and to use their restroom. I plan to do the trail in the fall when it will be a different experience.
Rode from South Haven to Grand Junction. State did a great job of rebuilding trail by widening, improving drainage and building a new bridge. However, the loose crushed stone makes it difficult.
We happened to be in Saugatuck and my wife pulled out a clipping from CHICAGO magazine about the Beeline, Said it was 6 miles and went to Holland, After some googling, I found the start and we rode for about an hour, ran out of time, never getting to Holland, and went back to Saugatuck,
It's not well marked at all. I'm sure it's a good track for locals to cycle back and forth, but not very exciting for an outsider. I'll blame the magazine for overly high expectations.
On the way back, I did notice a nice bike repair station, A few pretty views here and there.
As of June 2024 trail is now fully open.
This trail is very poorly marked through the downtown area. No directional signs or designated bike lanes. I was completely confused about where I should be biking- street or sidewalk? Connecting to the pumpkinvine trail took a lot of guess work and stopping to check my google map.
First- many kudos to the people who care for this trail. Thank you!! We rode the trail from Shipshewana to Gohshen yesterday and my wife and I found ourselves saying Wow at nearly every turn. Although there are quite a few road crossings none were problematic. This is not a trail to get on and go flat out for exercise rather it is a trail to go at a relaxing pace and enjoy the scenery and the many people who are also enjoying the trail. We will do the trail again in the fall.
I look forward to doing a marathon training long run on trail starting between Shipshewana and Middlebury towards Goshen every year! Such a great and scenic trail.
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