Find the top rated trails in Ionia, whether you're looking for an easy short trail or a long trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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We got on at 15 Baldwin Street (near the water treatment plant) and rode 16 miles out and back for 32 total. Temp was perfect with pre rain clouds keeping us cool. Many parts of the trail go through wooded areas with great shade but you also ride on roads in business areas. Pay attention to signs because some of them are hard to notice and it is easy to get off the trail. Also they could do a better marking spots in the asphalt where cracks have formed.
We tried to access the trail at the Marne trail head and parking lot. The parking lot was full of construction equipment and material and there is a sign that said the Trail is closed until further notice.
The pavement in the bottom half could be a bit nicer, but all things considered, this trail is pretty decent one, as long as you don't mind a mostly sunny trail with not too much to see here.
The Idema Explorers trail is a long term project to create a greenway connection between Grand Haven and Grand Rapids along the Grand River.
Small sections have been completed but they are not connected.
The most recent section, (Built Summer of 2024) has opened up a great loop trail for riders who want to stay on trails and out of roads.
The new section connects existing trail near M-231 with trail along Mercury drive.
We started our ride at the Connor Bayou county park. Rode continuous trail into Grand Haven. There is a short section of surface streets but sidewalks are availble. You can connect to the Grand Haven Waterfront Trail over the US-31 drawbridge (north on side walk from US-31and Jackson Street),then connect to segment of the Lakeside Trail, which connects to the North Bank Trail. North Bank ends at the Spoonerville trail which brings you back across the Grand River on the M-231 bridge. Short trip on the Idema Explorers trail back to Connor Bayou.
While I look forward to completion of more sections of this trail, this 22 mile loop with 2 river crossings is a great ride.
Parked at the Galesburg Augusta Primary school ¿ Meander from school to the trail ¿ Country like setting transitioned to a road-hugging trail¿ Riding alongside car traffic ¿ The trail was pretty smooth and the wildflowers were in bloom.
The entire trail is very uneven throughout, rough, and with nothing to see, I would urge you either skip this trail or maybe walk it.
This sunny trail has some slight hills and tight curves near the end, after taking you through dense woods and weed fields, so consider giving it a try.
10/10 for getting back to nature. 1/10 for road surface. The roads in Michigan are horrible, so I'm not sure why I thought the paths would be better.
It's a great round trip, and it can open up to the sun & wind and other times plant life closes in for some shade.
While smooth, most of the trail is ballast & crushed stone, which for me made it very hard to keep my speed up.
I might consider skipping this one and looking elsewhere.
Boy, was I disappointed! Worst rails trails I have ever been on. No upkeep whatsoever, June 7th, 2025.
Cadillac to Leroy nice, flat and pavement is very good. Very few bumps. About a mile south of Leroy it gets closer to highway in going to Reed City. Not bad but not as quiet and nature filled. Trail mostly shaded. Loved it.
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