Find the top rated birding trails in East Grand 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.
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We rode from Greenville to Sidney in early fall, 2018. We were planning to go to Stanton that day but it was rainy and cold so cut it short. It's a nice/easy ride, for the part we did. We're planning on doing it again in the spring and going much further.
Rode this trail this past weekend. Loved it (even though it was only 45 degrees). We started at Tower park and rode all the way to Baldwin Lake. Then rode back and stopped into town for lunch (our normal routine for weekend rides). I enjoyed it mostly because of the variety. You start off in the park, wooded area, very nice boardwalks over marshes, then through more woods. (We did take a wrong turn shortly after we got out of the park, but luckily I noticed it right away because I had my Traillink map downloaded and GPS going.) After a couple miles, we ended up on a double wide sidewalk through town. The seams in the sidewalk were a little annoying but it's all part of the adventure. This takes you through town and into the awesome tunnel under M-57. (I love tunnels). At this point, Meijer is on your right but if you keep following the trail you end up in on open rolling field area that heads down to Baldwin Lake. Of course, in November it was too cold to enjoy the lake but that would be a nice break in the middle of summer. The trail in whole was enjoyable and we will be back again.
I’ve walked, ran and rode this trail since mid nineties, and before it was widened, grated and crushed limestone base added. Never had a problem with adjacent property owners until recently. There’s a “home caretaker “ about a quarter mile east of Lowell road, south side (pond berm butts up against rail trail, windmill clearly visible) that likes to stand out there at his “post” and ensure neither you nor your dogs land a foot off the limestone and onto “his land”. I’m aware that this same kid has had run-ins with DNR and deer hunters exercising their right to hunt on buffers. Other than that, I’ve had no problems, and enjoy my time out there.
With the new section added, Summer 2018, this trail is 10 miles in length. At the North end, the trail begins where the White Lake Pathway ends as a seamless connection. Though no signage there. Along the trail there are no mile markers either. A few miles into the trail, there is one sign marker. North end of the trail starts at White Lake Drive in Whitehall and ends on Whitehall Road in Muskegon near First Evangelical Lutheran Church. There is parking along the trail at McMillan Road.
New section of the trail winds through a wooded area and has some grade to it.
A nice ride if you park in Whitehall and take the White River Pathway to Fred Meijer Berry Junction. These two trails are a total of 13 miles. White Lake Pathway is 3, Fred Meijer Berry Junction is 10.
Pathway trail is located in an through Whitehall MI. On the North end, the trail connects to the Hart-Montague trail at the White Lake Chamber of Commerce and on the South end it connects with the Fred Meijer Berry Junction trail. The connections are seamless.
This pathway trail is approx 3 miles in length and travels through residential areas, business areas and a wooded forest. There is also a lovely flower garden along the trail. The trail is well marked with map signs along the route.
The wooded area of the trail is through the Alcoa Howmet Woodland Gardens.
Parking is available at the Hart Montague end of the trail and at the Whitehall public library.
Be sure to stop and see the World's Largest Weathervane on the North end of the trail in Montague, located 1/2 mile from the trail. There are places to eat and shop along the trail in Whitehall.
If you have time, drive out to the White River Historic Light Station.
If you are looking for a good long ride, on a great trail, this is one of the absolute best! Over 22 miles in length, out and back makes for a great ride. As a bonus, you can connect seamlessly to the White Lake Trail which also has a seamless connection to the Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail. You can literally bike from Hart to North Muskegon MI and never leave the trail (s).
The William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail is virtually flat, widened in 2015, and asphalt paved in very good condition. Several trail towns along the route are welcoming and accommodating. Each trailhead offers their town visitor information. You can eat in the towns which you will pass through. There are signs noting the mileage from town to town along the trail.
Started in the middle in New Era and headed North to Hart. You will go through Shelby, which offers places to eat and a Dollar Store directly on the trail. Farmlands of fields and livestock and wooded areas. Services are also available in Hart.
Biking South from New Era, to Montague it's more of the same, farms and woods. On the Southern end, is Montague-Whitehall which is home of the World's Largest Weathervane located just off the trail. There are shops and places to eat in Montague-Whitehall as well, including an old fashioned car drive-up hop service. Car or bike for that matter!
Trail ends at the White Lake Chamber of Commerce. When open, they offer local information and clean rest rooms.
At the Chamber you can access the White Lake pathway.
Plenty of parking in Montague on the South end of the trail, and in Hart at the North end of the trail. Smaller lots along the trail route.
Mile 0 begins in Hart and Mile 22 is in Montague.
An all around great trail to spend the day on.
Recently re-opened in August, 2018 after 2 years of renovations on Grand Havens South Pier Catwalk.
Along the pier you can bike or walk.
The trail runs from Grand Haven State Park, the Lighthouse Pier and into and past Downtown Grand Haven.
Many shops and places to eat along the trail. Some on-road sections but there is a large berm to accommodate cyclists.
Be sure to take in a sunset from the Lighthouse pier over Lake Michigan.
There are two Lighthouses along this pier.
Can't figure how this one would be 14 miles, but here goes.
Parked at mile 3, near Lake Express car ferry. At mile 2, there is a very large parking lot. The first mile must be on the streets and goes to Pere Marquette Park. Lakeside trail seemed to end just after mile 7 at Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve in North Muskegon.
The trail did follow along Lake Muskegon. It passed Heritage Landing, the city of Muskegon, some industrial sites, and Hartshorn Marina. Did see the on-street connection to the Musketawa Trail. Did not see any sand dunes, they must be near the beginning near Pere Marquette Park.
Once in North Muskegon, you can take road to pick up the Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail.
Downtown Muskegon is very biker friendly with numerous bike racks, shops and places to eat.
Parking is at mile 0, mile 2 Hartshorn Marina and there may be some other places along the trail.
Very flat asphalt paved with numerous numbered wooded boardwalks. A nice trail to get around Muskegon on. Trail follows Lakeshore Drive and Shoreline drive.
Connecting paths make up a trail system in and around the Holland Area. Found that Holland is very biker friendly. You can get from one place to another by using these paths, or even ride on the sides of the roads. Some roads have a nice wide berm to accommodate bicycles. When coming to an intersection or stop, most motorists are friendly and will wave you through. The trail system passes through residential as well as businesses. You can bike from Holland State park approx 8 miles into Downtown Holland where you can shop and visit eateries. Holland has numerous bike racks and no one seems to bother your stuff.
A must visit destination is Holland State Park, where you will find the Holland Lighthouse, also known as Big Red. The bike path goes through the State Park.
Enjoy beautiful sunsets over Lake Michigan at the Lighthouse and Holland State Park, which has several bike racks. Beat the traffic jam by biking it!
Start your day by watching the sunrise over Lake Macatawa, located along the trail system.
Biked the trail today from Reed City to Leroy and back.
New asphalt and smooth!!
Would be perfect...except for the half mile south of Sylvan Rd.
They did not improve that section and it is loose gravel.
If riding with road tires...it's treacherous. If it was packed in, it would be easier to ride through.
I've lived in Holland for over 30 years (just joined RTC today), and I can tell you that the Holland trail system is NOT all it's cracked up to be. It is a multi-use pathway, not a rail-trail, and has many driveways, road crossings, and other places to pay very close attention to. Lots (LOTS) of walkers, joggers, baby strollers, and similar obstacles abound. While some of it is scenic and enjoyable, much of it is just through town, etc. and nothing special as far as sights to see in most spots. If you're planning a trip to the area just for this, I'd suggest a different idea - go further east and hit Fred Meijer or White Pine, etc. The roads in Ottawa and Allegan counties are fine to ride on in most spots if you don't want to use the trail system.
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