Bike Trails in Michigan

According to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, you are always within half an hour of one of more than 65 designated bike trails that run throughout Michigan's forests, recreation areas, state and county parks. You can find a bike trail in Michigan just about everywhere, whether you're near one of the three Great Lakes that wash its shores or you're hitting the road in Detroit.

State and County Parks

Running alongside Lake Huron is the Bridge to Bay Trail, part of the St. Clair County park system. This one-mile biking trail goes from Lakeport State Park to New Baltimore. Sleepy Hollow State Park covers 2,600 acres of wooded landscapes, fields and trails near Lake Ovid. Located within the park is the Sleepy Hollow Trail, a 16-mile multi-use trail that is just right for novice and intermediate bikers.

State Recreation Areas

The Bald Mountain South-Unit Trail is a seven-mile bike run in the Bald Mountain Recreation Area near Lake Orion in southeastern Michigan. There's a separate eight-mile trail in the northern part of the recreation area, which covers over 4,600 acres and has steep hills and rough terrain for a more challenging ride. The Holly Recreation Area is an 8,000-acre woodland and prairie that's home to the Holly-Holdridge Mountain Bike Trail, a 23.4-mile run that has sections designed for different skill levels.

State Forests

The Rifle River Multi-Use Trail is found in the Rifle River Recreation Area, which is part of the AuSable State Forest. The rugged trail is 14 miles long and will provide a good workout for any mountain biker. Its marked posts will keep you on track. Proceed cautiously on this trail, as it is also used by hikers.The Sunrise Lake State Forest has the 8.5-mile Green Pine Lake Pathway, which is recommended for mountain bikes.

Mountain Biking

According to the Michigan Mountain Biking Association, there are over 30 established mountain bike trails that range from easy to advanced. Head for the eight-mile Heritage Park Trail in Adrian, where you can navigate its twists, turns and switchbacks. Intermediate trails include the Big M in Wellston, which covers 40 miles of heavily wooded terrain, and the Copper Harbor Trail, a 25-mile trail in Copper Harbor that runs along Lake Superior through rough, rocky terrain.

Greenway Trails

You are even in luck in the city of Detroit. The Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance is an organization committed to the creation and maintenance of bike trails that are connected throughout and near Detroit to encourage you to get outside, ride your bike and be fit. One such trail is the Southwest Detroit/Dearborn Greenway, a paved trail that connects Patton Park in Detroit and Lapeer Park in Dearborn.