MI Bucket List: Bike Paths in Michigan
Lindsay Knake
| 4 min read
Key Takeaways
- Michigan has thousands of miles of trails for biking, hiking and running, making it a great place for outdoor recreation and exercise.
- Many of the state's bike paths and trails are built on former railroad beds, making them flat and accessible for children and people with disabilities.
- Some of the most popular paved and crushed stone bike paths in Michigan include the Clinton River Trail, the Macomb Orchard Trail and the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail.
With thousands of miles of trails, Michigan is a great place for getting on a bike.
Biking is a great way to get outside and get exercise. From bike paths for the whole family to intense mountain biking trails, the Mitten offers many ways for the low-impact exercise. Many of the trails are built on former railroad beds, making them flat and more accessible for children and people with disabilities.
Here is a roundup of some of the most popular paved and crushed stone bike paths in Michigan.
Running from Sylvan Lake to Rochester in Oakland County, this 16-mile multi-use trail offers asphalt and crushed stone for an easy route. Once a train route, the trail goes through residential areas, downtowns and parks as it runs along the Clinton River. You can find water, restrooms and restaurants along the route.
In addition to biking, you can use the trail for walking and running year-round.
The Clinton River Trail also connects to the Paint Creek Trail, the West Bloomfield Trail and the Macomb Orchard Trail.
The 24-mile paved rail trail connects Richmond to Shelby Township in Macomb County. Bike, walk, run or rollerblade through tree tunnels and farm fields and over creeks and rivers. Restrooms and benches provide stops along the way, and you can head into the towns along the route.
Whether you’re a family out for a fun afternoon or a serious cyclist getting in miles, the Macomb Orchard Trail offers what you need. You can connect with 180 miles of other trails, including the Clinton River Trail and in Stony Creek Metropark.
At 92 miles, Fred Meijer White Pine Trail is one of the longest in the state. Start in Comstock Park, just north of Grand Rapids, and bike north to Cadillac. The trail, now entirely paved, traverses forests, farmlands and towns. There are scenic overlooks and picnic areas to make a day of it on the White Pine Trail.
With many trailheads, there is plenty of access to the path for biking, walking and running.
This 30-mile trail from Midland to Clare is one of twenty-five Rails to Trails Conservancy Hall of Fame trails in the United States. Ride, walk or run through farm fields and forests, and stop in one of the small towns along the route for a snack. Restrooms and water fountains provide relief along the way.
Keep an eye out for scale statues of the planets of our solar system south of the little town of Coleman, where you can find a statue of the sun for comparison.
The Pere Marquette Rail Trail also connects to another rail trail from Clare to Baldwin, creating 90 miles of paved trail.
On the sunrise side of the state, the scenic, 16.2-mile Tawas Bay multi-use trail takes you along the shore of Lake Huron. Travel along the route for views of the lake, check out parks and beaches and head into East Tawas for local shops and restaurants. The northern end of the trail is right in Tawas Point State Park.
You can find restrooms, parks and picnic spots along the paved route.
This 22-mile multi-use path is in one of the most beautiful places in the state. Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail runs from Empire to Glen Arbor, right through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Bike, walk or run past the famous Dune Climb, through historic Glen Haven and past D.H. Day farm. You can also get views of Lake Michigan and Glen Lake.
Trail amenities include restrooms, picnic areas and water.
Those looking for a hike can stop at Alligator Hill trail system just outside of Glen Arbor, but bikes are not allowed.
The Iron Belle Trail is a 2,000-mile system of multi-use trails and roads that connects Iron Mountain to Belle Isle. The trail is a work in progress and is about 70% complete.
Rail trail projects are often long-term and done in stages. Before heading out onto a trail, check information for construction and closures.
You can find many more shorter trails across the entire state, in addition to paved paths in parks and mountain biking trails from Southeast Michigan to the Keweenaw Peninsula.
Image: Getty Images
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