This seems like a reasonably nice trail, but I ended up riding far less of it than I had originally planned. The foot traffic was so heavy, it lowered my typical average speed my about 2 mph. I felt like I couldn't get into any rhythm because I kept having to slow down. Also, the are long stretches of the trail that are in heavy shadows and the condition of the path is only fair, so it's hard to see potential danger spots. Probably fine for recreational rides on a mountain bike, but not for a training ride on a road bike... not that paths are the best places for any type of speed rides anyway.

I peddled the trail, Saturday the 12th, from Hamburg Township to Stockbridge and back. I chose this section of the trail because it offered a smooth asphalt surface as well as crushed lime stone and dirt. It offered a little bit of everything over this 20 mile section. There was a bike repair tool station as well as bathrooms along the way. A fun and scenic ride.

We really enjoyed the beautiful scenery while riding this wide, flat trail. There is a great mix of sun and shade while riding past landscapes of farm fields, meadows, and lakes. A few areas have some tree roots pushing up and the pavement is cracked but it looks like it is being marked to be fixed. Can’t wait to do this trail again!!!

I found this handy connector trail while biking at Island Lake. It led to the back of the parking lot of the Green Oak Village shopping center. Follow around to the left, skirting the parking lot, past the Panera and you can find the Fieldcrest Trail which will take you to the residential areas along US-23 south to Silver Lake Road. If I lived in that area, this connector would be my main access to good biking. Although gravel, it was hard-packed and smoother than the actual paved trail at Island Lake. Slopes are gentle. This trail parallels the train tracks and the Island Lake side terminates a stone’s throw from the Dodge Picnic area in Island Lake.

This trail connects the residential area along Fieldcrest to the Green Oak Village Place shopping center. It parallels US-23, making it VERY noisy, and it’s not the prettiest although there are a few visual gems as you cross the bridge over the Huron River. The path is smooth and hills are small and gentle. Maps indicate that the north end terminates at what appears to be a carpool parking lot directly across the road from Panera. However, the path continues as it skirts around the edge of the shopping center parking lots, and although I could not find it marked on any maps, there is a very smooth, short gravel path providing direct access to the road at Island Lake State Park.

Great trail! Loved every mile of it from end to end!

I've been a user of the Fred Meijer M-21 trail since before it was restored to a trail. I've enjoyed walking, running, and biking it.

I would say for the most part, the route gets more and more intersting the further west you go. Though it's pretty neat running through the towns of Ovid, St. Johns, and Fowler, there isn't much inbetween other than cornfields. The west side of Ovid has some nice ponds and turns to the trail. However, you are a ways off the road M21, the paths surrounded by trees on both sides, and beyond that are more cornfields.

The scenery doesn't change much untill you hit Pewamo. From Pewamo to Saranac, the trail has numerous bridges over water and M21, some of which are very large and impressive. The trail is built above the river below, which makes for more to see and experience.

Unfortunatly, since many of these towns are distanced from each other, it's very likely you can go 7-8 miles without seeing anyone else on the trail. The only stretches paved are for a mile east and west out of each town. The soft gravel/sand is great for running, but will slow down mountain bikes, and be nearly impossible for bikes with skinny tires.

It would be great if it one day the whole thing was paved. I would love to see it exended further west to connect with trails in Ada and Grand Rapids. Another opportunity would be to extend it further east to Flint and those trails. Additionally, theres another opportunity to extend it north from St. Johns to Ithaca, to connect with the Highway 27 Trails.

Bikers should get an early start! Heavy foot traffic due to runners and walkers enjoying the trail. Clean but overgrown foliage in areas causing the trail to narrow forcing walkers into the weeds when trying to pass on bikes. Very few if any restrooms along the path, outhouse style. A few new benches. A local lake side picnic area very busy and congested but clean. Parking best in the early morning!!

Many of the reviews so far mention how bumpy this trail is. While it is true that bikers will ride over a steady stream of cracks, it is still better than a dirt road. Wear your bike shorts and don’t take any champagne flutes with you, and you’ll be fine! This trail winds through pretty forest and scenic meadows, through a short tunnel, past a beach, and ends at a picnic shelter on the Huron River. Several segments along the way are pine-scented. Who doesn’t love that? This trail is a nice way to add a few miles to the Kensington Loop, but it doesn’t go anywhere on its own. Use caution speeding around corners on busy days.