Top 5 Bike Trails in Michigan
- Pere Marquette Rail Trail
The Pere Marquette Rail-Trail connects a number of picturesque communities along its 30 miles, providing handy amenities and rest places for trail users. As it connects Midland and Clare, scenic vistas of bridges, woodlands, and historical landmarks contribute to the trail’s popularity. The Midland Area Farmers Market (open on Wednesdays and Saturdays during the season) is an excellent place to start this route and provides access to additional attractions such as The Tridge, a three-span bridge.
2. Betsie Valley Trail
After a 20-minute journey north from Arcadia House B&B in Arcadia, join this 22-mile walk at the Frankfort shore. It’s built on the trackbed of the former Ann Arbor Railroad line. The first six kilometers are all on asphalt. As you proceed southeast into a rural and forested area, the trail’s surface becomes crushed limestone. You’ll drive through a ghost town, skirt Crystal Lake, and pass through the Pere Marquette State Forest on your way to Thompsonville, a former logging town.
3. Grand Island
On the island, there are almost 40 kilometers of single tracks, double tracks, and dirt roads for riding, as well as camping. The Trout Bay Overlook is a must-see, and the day use area is an excellent spot for a picnic or a stroll along the shore. There are two inland lakes worth visiting as well.
Riders may board a boat from Munising to Grand Island, which is roughly the size of Manhattan and home to some of the Midwest’s most picturesque mountain riding. The island’s 20-mile perimeter walk winds through sandstone cliffs, marine caves, scenic panoramas, and beautiful beaches.
4.Kent Trails
The Kent Trails system is a wonderful opportunity for travelers and people who would like to see Michigan from a different perspective. The southern half of the route offers views of streams, farms, and forests, while the northern section, which runs beside Grand Rapids’ namesake river, has wetlands, bridges, and lush vegetation.
The Kent Trails go to both the Hopewell Indian Mounds Park and Millennium Park. With 1,400 acres of beaches and one-of-a-kind art, Millennium Park is one of the country’s largest metropolitan parks. The Kent Trails come to an end at Johnson Park, which provides picnic areas, parking, restrooms, and water.
5. Alpena Bi-Path
The Alpena Bi-Walkway is a twisting path that links two opposing districts of Alpena: Water Works Park and Genschaw Rd. This route is recommended since it is paved and provides more valuable nature views in an urban setting. The Bi-Path offers rides along the shores of Lake Huron, the Thunder Bay River, and the Alpena Wildlife Sanctuary.
This path system also travels through a number of neighborhood hotspots, such as schools and parks. Because of its simplicity and beauty, it is one of Michigan’s most popular paved networks. Children are often seen riding ahead of their parents, enjoying the safety of the paved trail, while trainers utilize it as a warm-up before heading to the Alpena Hillman Trail.