Find the top rated birding trails in Flint, 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.
_176494_st.jpg)
_249481_st.jpg)
This week we took the farthest west leg of B to B. Beautiful paved trail that mostly runs right along M-52. It is far enough off the actual street that it feels safe—though loud at times. We parked our vehicle at Timber Town Park and then got on our bikes. We made a left out of the parking lot and soon found the bright yellow “bike crossing” sign that signaled the trail. Then we headed northwest on the trail. We prefer rides that are mostly wooded but nevertheless wanted to try out this leg. The whole bike trail is well maintained. It is a very hilly ride—lots of up and down. Therefore it took us a bit longer than normal. Heading out is more uphill, while the returning ride was more downhill.
Our group of 9 riders rode this trail in addition to the Saginaw Valley Rail Trail. We had a total of 25.7 miles starting in St Charles, MI to the end of the SVRT and then adding on an out and back on the Thomas Twp Trail, which connect easily to the SVRT. The Thomas Twp Trail is a beautiful, meandering trail through a tree farm, past a beautiful school and into neighborhoods in Thomas Township. The trail is in excellent condition and well signed and outstanding trail markers. Kudos to the folks in Thomas Twp who made this happen - we will be back!
Smooth pavement except about a 1/4 mile around 6.5 under an overpass. Very comfortable and easy ride. Trail ends abruptly and is hard to find the connection back to it, but otherwise a nice place to put in some miles.
Did the trail westbound from Crookes to Sylvan lake. The first stretch is recycled gravel, which brings you to Auburn Hills where it crosses at an ice cream stand. Nice enough. But to call the next stretch a "trail" is a travesty. After a stretch on sidewalks and some crosswalks, it quickly decays in to a difficult ride past abandoned buildings on narrow cracked, broken concrete sidewalks with long-neglected growth blocking the view forward. The signs are scant but the abject poverty is painfully obvious. In front of the party store there were homeless/drug people passed out on sleeping bags in the middle of the day. After arriving in Sylvan Lake, replete with its payday loan places, I called an uber to haul me & my bike home rather than go back through the dearth of Pontiac. As one previous reviewer said, I can't believe I was naive enough to think that the city and the cycling community would have actually built and maintained a cycling trail through a city whose reputation is so dismal.
Enjoy the route from Rochester to AH, but stay away from Pontiac!
I haven’t been here in a few years and purchased an ebike to help tackle the elevation changes (I’m 70 and haven’t ridden in a while). I was delighted to discover that my ideas were correct and that a small amount of assistance helps, but otherwise, pedaling a somewhat heavy ebike (47lbs) is fine. My Trek carbon fiber bike is 25lb and should fly. Now to recover. I ache!
I used to ride this trail back in 1996 and have returned to cycling at 70! On my new cf Trek FX4 this is a great ride. Next time, I’ll spend some time in Lake Orion and maybe get lunch at one of the bar/restaurants in Rochester!
Rode this trail Sept 2024 from St Johns Depot parking lot 18 miles west toward Ionia, stopping soon after the bridge over the Maple River. It was well maintained, firm crushed stone with asphalt passing through towns. Not a problem for my gravel bike with 42 tire. As noted in other reviews, there are a few softer spots that could be a problem for thinner tires. The trail was mostly tree lined, except the section between Fowler and Pewamo is more open farmland with a view of M-21. The road crossings were smooth with almost no traffic. Stopped at the Pewamo Depot restrooms. The restrooms at St Johns Depot were locked.
Would give it a 3 1/2 stars. It’s flat, well-paved, clearly marked. Drawbacks - it runs along several roadways; many you have to drive over ( well-marked crossings). So the noise is there. But there were some really lovely spots that almost gave you the feel of Up North. We stopped at Applebees for lunch which was not too far off trail. Would like to ride it next time to Milford. We road it on a Friday so maybe weekend ride would be a more peaceful.
So well maintained! Even not paved portions are excellent. The trail is beautiful, it offers a lot of shade, and has great trail heads with dining options along the way. There was plenty of restrooms too.
This is my favorite trail ever to ride! We drive to downtown Rochester and get on it by the park. A little crowded to start - bikers and walkers share - but then thins out the further you ride. It is a slight uphill in this direction to Lake Orion but then all downhill when you turn around. There is a cider mill you can stop at, little free libraries (2), and multiple benches you can rest on if needed. Surface is crushed stone and well kept up. This trail is a must ride!
Bloomer park to beginning of Macomb, Orchard Trail, completely washed out and closed. google for details. still a great trail regardless.
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a non-profit) and we need your support!
Scan the QR code to get TrailLink on your phone
Map Search
_228803_st.jpg)
_138800_st.jpg)
_181503_st.jpg)
