South Haven, Michigan is a port city on Lake Michigan. There are a few options of bike trails from paved to off-road for novices and families to more experienced riders. Whether you want a short ride or to make a day of it by stopping by a winery or fruit stand en route, you can find what you want in South Haven.
Where to Rent and Find Info
Rock n Road Cycles in South Haven has bike rentals, does bike repair and has any accessories you might need to enjoy a ride. They are also a great place to contact for bike routes and trails for all levels of rider.
Most Popular Trek
The Kal-Haven Trail takes you from South Haven to Kalamazoo and is 33.5 miles long. This multi-use trail starts on North Bailey Avenue in South Haven and ends at 10th street in Kalamazoo. Made of limestone and slag and converted from an old railroad track, the trail can get busy on the weekends. You will need to purchase a daily trail pass to ride this trail available near Kalamazoo on 10th Street in South Haven, on North Bailey Avenue at the trailhead and in Bloomingdale at the Bloomingdale Depot Trail Station.
Make a Day of it Ride
If you want to make a day of it, consider the Southwest Shore Cruise that takes you from South Haven to Saugatuck. Along the way you can stop by the winery and tasting room or grab some fruit (peaches, apples) to take home as you ride along the fruit belt. The terrain is rural and rolls with some hills near Saugatuck. You can also take the ferry crossing if you want to shorten the ride. This intermediate loop is 49.3 miles long.
Off Road Biking
The Van Buren Trail is not a well maintained trail, causing varying conditions. This means that you should only hit this trail on a mountain bike. This mainly gravel/dirt surface trail takes you from Hartford to South Haven and is 13 miles long. It is a multi-use trail, so you may see hikers and horses. Be prepared to walk your bike in places if you are not confident in your handling skills. The trek is quite wooded through the fruit and wine belt. You will have to pay a one-day usage fee at Van Buren State Park.
Beginner and Family Friendly Rides
The South Haven Side Ride is a family-friendly ride and is also perfect for those wanting a short trek. It is a relatively flat loop with little to no elevation gain. The 13-mile ride is on crushed gravel with the possibility to make it longer if you want. Starting at the Black River and Blue Star Highway, the trail is currently being extended to bring the trail all the way to the South Haven Pier. To extend the ride, head into blueberry country. This is a multi-use trail.
Member Comments