Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in Norton Shores, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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I applaud the State of Michigan for making this trail system possible. This truly is a mecca for the outdoor enthusiast in many capacities. Friends from Dayton (OH) and Kalamazoo recently convened in Cadillac to cycle the entire 92-mile route, and must confess that we had an absolute blast! This is an incredible trail network that has the capacity to enhance tourism and economic growth along with supporting wellness and fitness, and reinforce the State’s natural beauty and outdoor appeal. Michigan - You rock! Thank you! Gary Victor Kettering, OH
It's a nice round trip with good scenery in the southern segment, though linking up with the northern portion is bit annoying, and the pavement in the northern area can be *very* rough.
Just finishing up the entire trail this week and impressed. The only rough spots are coming north out of Grand Rapids to just north of Rockford it can be congested and bumpy from cracks and root heaves. From Big Rapids to Reed City is can be the same as well without the congestion. The entire trail is paved and is smooth and enjoyable to ride.
Just a gorgeous trail. Super smooth and wide. Canopy of trees in many sections. Goes through several great little towns. Country Dairy in New Era has great ice cream and chocolate milk. Shelby has a newer huge park. Bathrooms in almost every town. I'm from Wisconsin and would return to this trail.
We parked in Reed City at the Depot where White Pine intersects with Pere Marquette State Trail. Plenty of parking at the depot which is located behind Yoplait. Restrooms and picnic area as well as benches. Eateries in Reed City. The 12-13 mile section between Reed City and LeRoy was built in 2018, paved, and still in very good condition for 8 years old. It's a steady and gradual uphill climb on this stretch. Most of it is not shaded and the first about 6 miles follows US Hwy 131 and can be noisy. It's a great section but you have to stop and think: steady climb, not much shade, along a 4 lane highway! Once passed the interstate section it becomes more peaceful and quiet and even some sections of wooded areas. At one point it looks like a tunnel of trees but it's not for long. The high point of the trail is just before the short underpass tunnel then it's coasting the next few miles or so into LeRoy. Not much in LeRoy but did find a small grocery store and dollar store so we got some cold drinks at the grocery. Once in LeRoy it's 12 miles to Cadillac. We rode that section a few years ago. On the return trip, LeRoy back to Reed City, once you go uphill South about a mile, the remaining 12ish miles is all downhill and you can practically coast the entire return trip. Interesting old airport along the trail Nartron Field built in the 1950's. A few bumps and cracks along the trail just outside of Reed City. This is a great trail section would ride it again next time in the area. For September, signs of Fall with leaves changing and dropping already due to the very dry summer.
I do not know why people are complaining about this trail. The trail from Stanwood south is brand new smooth as silk!!! It is beautiful the little town of Morey is cute with gas stations and a resturant.
Per the trails website, the 12 mile section through Ottawa County will be closed all of 2025 for reconstruction. The remainder of the trail should be open, refer to Musketawa Trail website / Facebook page for current information.
So - DW Park is super nice with great restrooms… but if looking for more than 2 mile stroll, keep driving to next trailhead point! Leaving from DW Park takes you out on 76th St - NO sidewalk, minimal shoulder, and crazy amt of traffic running 45-55mph. Other than that, the trails themselves were nice (all paved), pretty clearly marked (you do have a little jaunt thru a couple streets and apt complex parking lot - but it’s all marked with sidewalks or bike lanes thru majority of it and then right back to a nice bike path again. ¿
Even on a hot day, leaving in the early afternoon, it was a beautiful ride lots of shade lots of Lake breeze and ice cream shops. Really pretty smooth and weld marked if you’re using your all trails app to follow.
Mostly excellent trail surface for a road bike - smooth, few bumps; slightly less smooth at the very start from depot in Reed City and then when entering Cadillac city (older paving surface). Plenty of shade, a few stretches out ‘in the open’, but mostly very pleasant. We had a great ride.
Chicagoland biker here who has done many trails in the Midwest (Paul Bunyan in Minnesota, I&M/Hennipan across Illinois, etc). This is a good trail, maybe even a great one. I just completed the entire 92.6 mile route. Couple things-- the trail is AMAZING if you like shade. And for the most part, it's relatively smooth (surface is more coarse/bumpy from Big Rapids north to Reed City). For that reason, a hybrid tire or thicker is probably your best bet. Could be a challenge for road bike enthusiasts. That said, a road bike would be amazing from Cadillac to Reed City, then Big Rapids to Grand Rapids. Also...reminder that you gain elevation going south to north. A better ride, especially if you catch a good northern wind at your back, would be going Cadillac to Grand Rapids. Still, a great experience!
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