Find the top rated birding trails in Big Rapids, 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.
September, 2026. We biked the Northern end a few days prior. This day we started in Montague and biked North to New Era and back. Another enjoyable ride on a beautiful well maintained trail. Trail goes through mostly shaded areas. Trail services in Montague near the trail. Always a great ride on this trail! In Montague the trail connects with the White Lake Bike Path. Also in Montague is the World's largest weathervane.
If you're looking for a nature trail, this isn't the one for you, as you'll spend most of your time in business parks.
It's also pretty hilly all throughout, so it can provide a good challenge for those looking for one.
September, 2026. One our favorite Michigan trails. 22+ miles in length, asphalt paved in very good condition. Goes through several small old railroad towns. Scenery is mostly open farmlands and some wooded. The towns along the trail are very welcoming. This trail runs from Montague @ White Path Bikeway to Hart. Hart trailhead mile marker 0. Montague is mile marker 22. We parked in New Era, about mid-way. Biked to Hart and back for 26 mile round trip. This was our first visit to this trail of the week.
September, 2026. We stayed in the area and biked it one evening. Also used it to connect with the Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail and the Hart-Montague Trail. This trail goes through the city of Whitehall, of course there are going to be road crossings! Paved trail in good condition, some cracks with grass growing up through could use attention and maybe some weed wacking in areas other than that, not bad. Eateries nearby. You can park at the Chamber Office, or behind the grocery store is trail parking and restrooms and also parking at Howmet Park. The city of Whitehall is in the process of constructing public restrooms across and up the street from the Chamber.
September, 2026. Nice little trail which connects to 2 longer trails in Montague/Whitehall. Across the street from the World's Largest Weathervane. There is a new dog park along the trail.
I rode the entire trail from Clare to Midland. The Hall of Fame Rail Trail lived up to its billing! The 12-foot-wide asphalt trail was well maintained and there was excellent signage. Although there was little to no shade from the midday sun, there were fully functional rest stops in the city of Coleman and the village of Sanford with restrooms and water fountains. The solar system sculptures starting with the sun in the city of Coleman and ending with Pluto in the community of North Bradley was an unexpected treat. The village of Sanford had an interesting historic village. The Tridge, a three-legged wooden footbridge, in the city of Midland was the ultimate climax to the end of the trail. The city of Midland had a cute downtown and there were lots of restaurants.
I rode the 8-foot-wide asphalt trail from Reed City to Clare. This trail now connects directly to the Pere Marquette Rail Trail. No more dodging cars on the road! The four mile section coming into Reed City from the east is very bumpy and in need of attention. There is also a section around the town of Sears that is in need of a little TLC. Several stops made the trip worth it like the Reed City Depot, Lake Depot and the city of Clare. Seven Slot Grille in Reed City has excellent food and a fun staff of workers. Don't miss the "Cops & Doughnuts" store in Clare. Not only does the store have excellent donuts, but they also have creative t-shirts, caps and other swag.
The 8-foot-wide asphalt trail surface was in excellent condition. The trail was meticulously maintained and provided a good canopy of shade. The village of New Era was a good place for a rest stop. Don't miss the "Metal Man with Arrow" along the trail just northwest of the Country Dairy Store. The real treasure was the 24' Tin Man from the Wizard of Oz on the shore of Hart Lake about 1/2 mile north of the trail's endpoint. Be aware that there are limited restaurant options in Hart and even less on weekends.
This trail is beautiful. If we do it again, I think we would start at Baldwin Park and ride over to Tower Park. There’s a lot of sun on the west side of the trail. It’s also great that it connects to the Heartland trail so you can take that to Flat River Brewing. They have great beer, flat bread pizzas and meatloaf sandwiches.
Don’t be fooled by the photos of the path, IT IS PRETTY MUCH ALL GRAVEL. I went with a friend on this trail expecting maybe a small gravel segment and mostly paved, however it was definitely not. It’s a pretty trail, but not what was advertised. If you’re into gravel riding, you’d love it, but it’s intense. Pretty good scenery, but should be advertised as gravel.
The low elevation will provide a good workout for those looking for it, and this is a pretty decent trail.
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