What to do and see in Michigan, United States: The Best Biking Trails

February 22, 2022 Darwin Bolte

Think you need an ocean for a beach? Think again. There are miles and miles of sandy lakefront beaches in Michigan (thanks to the four Great Lakes that border it). The west coast of Michigan has especially nice beaches—try a rental in Muskegon, Grand Haven or Saugatuck. You won’t need a car when visiting Mackinac Island. In fact, they’re not allowed—this lovely Victorian resort town is pedestrian-only.
Restaurants in Michigan

1. Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails

148 E Front St Suite 201, Traverse City, MI 49684-5725 +1 231-941-4300 [email protected] http://traversetrails.org/
Excellent
82%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
3%
Poor
1%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 195 reviews

Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trails

Traverse Area Recreation & Transportation (TART) Trails is a system of paved and dirt trails for walkers, hikers, bikers, skaters and skiers in Northern Michigan. Trails are open year-round and available for many users and uses. Many of the paved trails offer access to local breweries, wineries, coffeehouses, restaurants and other area attractions such as lakes, rivers and beaches. Many of the dirt trails offer world class mountain biking and hiking opportunities for users of various skill levels. Numerous area bike shops offer rentals for any type of technical or recreational riders. Dogs are also welcomed on the trails and must be leashed and cleaned up after.

Reviewed By ChuckE976 - Detroit, United States

The TART Trail is excellent! It's well maintained, paved, and has an abundance of beautiful scenery. I'm not normally a bicycle ride or walk through nature type of person, but I really enjoyed these trails. My wife is a cyclist and she talked me into renting an eBike so we could ride together one day. We rode 26 miles and I really enjoyed it. The trails are well marked and nicely paved, they are plenty wide for "traffic" in both directions. There and a few parking areas, a bike repair station, and even some port-a-potties along the way. And there are a number of benches too if you wanted to stop for a snack or drink or just look at the scenery. We were there in early October and with the color change, it made for a very scenic ride. There were people of all ages on the trails from families with young kids, to "serious" cyclists, to seniors, walkers, rollerblades, eBikers, etc. I'll definitely go back again next year.

2. Rapid River Ski Trail

Us 41, Rapid River, MI 49878 +1 906-789-7862 [email protected]
Excellent
100%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 2 reviews

Rapid River Ski Trail

The Rapid River ski trail offers five loops suitable for hiking and biking. The trail is widely recognized as one of the most beautiful in the Upper Peninsula, as it winds thru towering pine-covered ridges and drops into thick lowland swamps, offering a wide variety of challenges, from gentle, flat terrain to long, steep hills. The trailhead is located six miles north of Rapid River on US Highway 41.

3. Little Traverse Wheelway

Petoskey, MI http://www.traillink.com/trail/little-traverse-wheelway.aspx
Excellent
88%
Good
10%
Satisfactory
1%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 282 reviews

Little Traverse Wheelway

Reviewed By JillbPA

We parked in Sunset Park in Petoskey and headed to Harbor Springs. In order to avoid the airport and the noise of busy roads, turn down Beach Road and follow this quiet road all the way to the delightful town of Harbor Springs. You will pass lovely homes and waterfront views. There are many eateries to choose from in Harbor Springs before you head back to your starting point.

4. Copper Harbor Bike Trail System

Copper Harbor, MI http://www.copperharbortrails.org
Excellent
98%
Good
0%
Satisfactory
2%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 60 reviews

Copper Harbor Bike Trail System

Reviewed By andrearG2868LQ

Well maintained trails with excellent signage. We road up and then down without missing a turn. Highly recommend

5. Falling Waters Trail

Weatherwax Dr., Jackson, MI 49203 http://www.fallingwatertrail.org
Excellent
82%
Good
14%
Satisfactory
4%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 116 reviews

Falling Waters Trail

Reviewed By C9583VRvaleries

My dad, John Stover, used to take my sister and me on mountain bikes down this old rail to the Wooden Spoon in Concord for breakfast. We’d ride through Bunches of burrs and prickers and of course lots of mud! It was fun at the time, but I am also very content with the new much easier & smoother paved version at this point in my life. This is a great place to ride or walk/ run for all ages and ability levels. It is so nice not to have to worry about getting hit by a car!!! These trails are awesome and I love that Jackson continues to expand the trail system. I think it’s been a fantastic improvement to our community and has opened new and safe opportunities to get outside and enjoy nature. It is the best to see older and younger people out and about enjoying the trails. I included a painting I did about 10 years ago of my daughter and husband riding on this very trail, just west of Weatherwax Rd.

6. White Pine Trail State Park

Rockford, MI http://trailsmichigan.com
Excellent
83%
Good
8%
Satisfactory
8%
Poor
0%
Terrible
1%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 72 reviews

White Pine Trail State Park

Reviewed By beckyvanstensel - Rockford, United States

White Pine Trail is well maintained and well marked. It's the perfect place for a beautiful, scenic run. The trail passes through the city of Rockford, so you could stop for a look at the Dam or a bite to eat.

7. William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail

Hart, MI +1 231-869-2051 http://www.michigandnr.com/parksandtrails/details.aspx?id=452&type=SPRK
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 41 reviews

William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail

Reviewed By 290kt2017

Trail had shade, nicely paved trail, benches for resting, restrooms at trailhead (and a grocery store for snacks).

8. Lake Wobegon Trail

MI +1 320-293-9364 http://lakewobegontrail.com/
Excellent
85%
Good
15%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 20 reviews

Lake Wobegon Trail

The Lake Wobegon Trail is a 46-mile long, 10-foot wide, bituminous surfaced hike-and-bike pathway. The trail, which opened on September 30, 1998, extends through Central MN from the city of St. Joseph to the city of Osakis. The trail also has an extension on the west side of Albany heading northeast to Holdingford and beyond.

9. Saginaw Valley Rail Trail

6225 Stroebel Rd, Saginaw, MI 48609-5216 http://www.saginawcounty.com/parks/saginawvalleyrailtrail.aspx
Excellent
80%
Good
20%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 10 reviews

Saginaw Valley Rail Trail

Reviewed By buckeyeblazer - Upper Sandusky, United States

This rail trail is well maintained. The trail is paved and smooth. There is a side trail that goes to several eateries in Saginaw. There was plenty of parking when we were there. Distance round trip with extension was around 24 miles.

10. DTE Energy Foundation Trail

17819 Stockbridge Chelsea Rd, Chelsea, MI 48118 [email protected] http://dtetrail.org/
Excellent
89%
Good
11%
Satisfactory
0%
Poor
0%
Terrible
0%
Overall Ratings

5.0 based on 9 reviews

DTE Energy Foundation Trail

Reviewed By FrontierAccountant

Billed as Michigan’s Dirt Roller Coaster, this trail is an amazing resource. Bikers and hikers travel in opposite directions. Make sure you go the right way. Lots of jumps and up and down. Beginners should try the Green Loop first. Hikers should avoid these trails on summer weekends.

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