Find the top rated running trails in Jackson, 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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Good condition for cycling and flat. The lakes make for a scenic ride and you can increase the distance easily with a few detours.
Sad that I can’t give this a higher rating, as I use to run on it for many years. Now as a cyclist I see it from a different aspect and it it not a great biking trail . For being such an urban gem, parts of it are just horrible to ride. A shame that with this being the capital city and where many associations are located that there is so little improvement and expansion of this trail.
We road from Middleville to Hastings & back. Trail was paved with beautiful scenery for a few miles south of Middleville. Then turned into grass ( abandonned railway bed), then dead ended
Tried this on a new bike yesterday and it was DELIGHTFUL!! It was a wonderful trip through open meadows, wetlands and climax forest areas along the south bank of the Huron River (not always visible - but close based on chatter from people in rafts/canoes/etc.). There’s a small street connector thru Dexter but this is minimal - and Dexter is a wonderful town for a meal/rest/drink/chat.
Pavement is smooth as a baby’s butt and there are no challenging hills. It’s just a very pleasant, easy ride and I enjoyed myself very much!
Parts of the trail were very nice, like the river and some of the trail going north around town. Some of the trail need to be reset faced pretty badly. The far west start is a best- no parking and trail in neglect.
I have not been on trail since 2014. It is still perfect from the 2014 resurfacing of new asphalt. I went from KCC circled around college down through CO Brown Stadium down along Wagner Drive which has had a lot work done, great breeze off the river, and waterfall, new Kayak launch area , new fishing pier, picnic tables, passed several port a johns, etc all the way downtown, circle around Under Ground Railroad and Dr. Kellogg’s house.
Best access to this short trail is from Victory Park. The new hilly section up southeast from the park to the cemetery and through this park is the most shaded and scenic. The western portion is very peaceful but somewhat hard to find unless you follow the signs from downtown which has been a real mess due to repeated repaving of main street requiring M 99 detour. The trail is paved and in fairly good condition except through the cemetery (gravel) but easily manageable on a mountain bike. YOU CAN CONNECT TO THE FALLING WATERS TRAIL IN CONCORD VIA ALBION RD, WHICH HAS DECENT PAVED SHOULDER FOR PART OF THE WAY AND DOES NOT HAVE VERY HEAVY TRAFFIC.
Rode the entire trail from Concord to Weatherwax Rd trail head plus the beautiful new 1 mile paved spur to Falling Waters Park. Surface is in excellent condition, suitable for inline skating. Unlike a lot of rails-to-trails locations it has gentle curves to keep it interesting and outstanding detailed signage. It is completely rural and peaceful, very few houses even visible from trail, with vistas of several lakes and lots of wooded sections. Trail is mostly shaded, except where it runs on the causeway through Lime Lake.
One major downside: No access to drinking water directly on the trail. I found outdoor drinking fountain at the Middle School on West Street once the trail enters Jackson and the name changes to MLK Trail and surface is much less smooth past Weatherwax Road. Another worthwhile 1.5 mile detour is about 3-4 miles from Concord north on a small paved country road to the original historic site of the Spring Arbor settlement and college. Entrance is free, several markers explain the history and there is an old-fashioned hand pump which produces fresh cold water, what a delight on a very hot day.
Wow! First time on the trail and parked in West Unity. Beautiful hiking path with canopy of trees for cover. What a jewel for NW Ohio.
I will be visiting and joining the Conservancy.
Sincerely,
M. Freeman
This was my first time riding this trail and boy am I glad I got the hardier frame and wider tires on the bike I just bought! This trail takes you through some of the most majestic views of Calhoun County/Battle Creek. I was humbled by how remote it all felt, as I know this is a slice between a hustle and bustle of manufacturing and residential areas. But there is so much more unadulterated land in the in-between to make you feel secluded and connected back to nature.
The trail was a bit rough maybe only 7% of the time, but I do caution not to go too fast on this trail as the pebbles and silt can make you wipe out. There are also many blind curves.
Overall, it is an excellent workout and a majestic area of land for scenery, highlighting much of what makes Michigan just so amazing.
I grew up in BC and NEVER went on this trail til now in my mid 30s. I have lived so many other places across the country and now I bring my bike home to explore. Battle Creek and Calhoun County are BLESSED to have the trails they do, and at the great expanse that they are!
I only passed 3 people on my trip today on this trail, but the trail itself looked as though and was heavily evidenced as though it is being taken care of on a regular basis.
Magical! Amazing!
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