Find the top rated birding trails in Kalamazoo, 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 live a block off Kent Trails and reading the reviews here can be confusing...The trail begins off Butterworth Rd in Grand Rapids near John Ball Zoo. The other end of the trail is on 84th Street in Byron Center, MI.
To get from one end ot the other you have to leave the trail for city streets for a few block with limited signage to connect the two paved path sections.
The path is paved the entire portion and in good shape. There are a few busy steets to be crossed so need caution if biking with children or inattentive adults. Great trail if you are patient with the lack of signage.
Path is well cared for and marked. We found it difficult to find a parking spot to start the trail in Grand Haven. Parked in the church parking lot at the corner of Sheldon and Robbins.
We're from the Grand Rapids area and decided to try this trail this past weekend. Like most trails, signage is non-existent. I download all maps and keep these within sight on my bike. This is crucial for this trail especially. At one point, Greenly and 24th street, there is actually a trail that goes north, but the Kenowa trail goes south on 24th street. It would be very confusing if you didn't have a map and gps. There are a couple spots that you have to ride on the road. We have lights on our bikes for safety but I would much rather ride on a trail than the road. Because we are from the GR area, we wanted to start at the trailhead in Jamestown. Unfortunately there is NO public parking nearby. It's the in the middle of a very rural area so we ended up parking down the road at a church. Two or three parking spots at the trailhead (both ends) would be nice. In whole, the trail itself is ok. It's a little hilly, so a great workout but not for kids or families. Also, we like to break up the ride with a small lunch before we turn around and return back. We decided to head into Zeeland to do lunch but I wouldn't suggest it. There was no good way to get under 131 and into town. We road on the side of the road, mostly in the soft dirt due to the construction. We probably won't do this trail again, mainly because of this. It was really too busy for bikes, especially during the construction, but I think even after, I wouldn't suggest it.
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.
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.
Good condition for cycling and flat. The lakes make for a scenic ride and you can increase the distance easily with a few detours.
The trail starting from Foreman Street in Lowell is still a rocky rough ride. The rails are gone, but that's about as far as it has progressed.
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
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.
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