Find the top rated running trails in Detroit, 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.
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This trail and it's construction is nothing short of amazing. Yet the pictures on the Rails to Trails website tell it all. It is not being used. Maybe it is because people are afraid of the homeless encampments that you see or because it is next to a freeway. But the homeless encampments would be much less of a problem if there were more people on bikes utilizing the trail. This trail I am sure cost millions yet just a few people use it. Get out there people!
It’s a smooth path for the most part. It has a little bit of cracks and sometimes branches. There is a couple tents from the homeless at the beginning of the path, I’ve never had a problem so far but it’s a pretty good spot otherwise
Enjoyed going down this path on a sunny afternoon. A good mix of slight down & uphill so it never feels like too much work to just keep going. When the path crosses the main streets sometimes it can be difficult to spot where it continues vs where there’s just a large (rocky & car filled) bike lane. Once you’re back on trolley trail though it’s super easy and pleasant. Lots of folks with their dogs out when I went on a Friday afternoon.
Its only 1.2 miles but its a very comfortable stroll or power walk. At its beginning "Monteith Park" is beautiful at any time of year. The Calapooia River drops into the Mighty Willamette at Monteith . From this walk you can see the backside of Albany. The trail is lined with lamp posts; its a very peaceful walk.
I rode it last summer and it was an awful experience. Lots of trash.
This ride will never be in the Rails-to-Trails Hall of Fame, but if you like a bit of an adventure, and can tolerate a wide variety of settings over a short period of time, give it a go!
I rode the length of the trail, starting and ending in Boring, and extended the ride a bit by crossing over the Willamette to Portland using the Iron Bridge.
Boring to Gresham, lush and green, few streets, very pleasant. About 7 miles in toward Portland, the side effects of America's struggle to provide adequate housing for those that desire it begin to show up: abandoned shopping carts, piles of trash, burn piles. The homeless camps from Mile 13 into about Mile 9 are ramshackle, creative, and sometime surprisingly high tech. Look close, and listen, and you'll see solar panels, hear generators running, and see discarded propane tanks. At no point did I encounter any hostility or aggression from the camp dwellers.
A bit farther down the trail (mile 8ish?) there is a discontinuity in the trail, and for possibly a mile you follow a tree-lined city street. If there were signs, I missed them, and was grateful to a bicycle riding couple that got me back on track.
Back on the path, a nice run into Portland, with a very pleasant section that parallels the river, popular with walkers, runners, bikers, twisting along the shoreline, dipping down for a bit onto a very cool pontoon supported metal pathway that is designed to adjust itself for changes in river level. There is one more on the street section here, but it is well marked/signed.
Turn around, head back, mild grade to climb, gaining maybe 600 feet over 15ish miles. Not hard. The street crossings come and go, and do require both caution and patience. With my slight extension to the other side of the river, 47 mies roundtrip.
So..excellent ride to cross off on your Rails-to-Trails list. Best approached with curiosity, patience, and acceptance of life styles that do not resemble your own. Didn't see many kids (some, but not many), and between the fairly heavy human traffic (skate boarders, in-line skaters, runners, walkers, etc.), the frequent street crossings and the sections that are impressively trashed out, I can see why many parents would choose a tamer adventure. Glad I did it (really!), don't feel the need to do it again any time soon.
Lots of garbage and campsites. Some sections are blocked with tents.
Neighborhood greenways are better.
My husband and I just discovered this trail today. What a gem! Love the random artwork and the peaceful trail!
Lovely trail but very busy for a Wednesday. App helps see where you are as many twists and turns.
This paved path has great signage, as long as you know which parking lot you parked in. It would be really hard to get lost. Families and friendly people on the way. Cell service not great there, so plan ahead. 5 parking areas that I counted and some porta potties. I'll be back!
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