Grab your bike and get some fresh air while enjoying one of West Michigan’s many trails. Are you looking for a relaxing ride along the lakeshore, or a challenging trek from one city to another? With trails of varying length and difficulty, you can find something for any skill level.

Find more trail information in the Carefree Travel Guide.

If you’re looking for a smooth ride, park your car at Historic Bridge Park in Battle Creek and get on the Calhoun County Trailway. For five and a half miles, it winds through two parks and a nature preserve. When you’re done, you can return to Historic Bridge Park and check out the old truss bridges that have been restored and placed next to the Kalamazoo River. The Facebook Group for the Marshall Michigan Mountain Bike Loop (aka The Dump) calls it Marshall’s “little secret”, and the best mountain bike loop within 50 miles. Mountain bikers will find challenges along the route, which is set up in a wooded area by the Kalamazoo River.

Know a kid who is interested in bicycle racing? Fort Custer Recreation Area in Augusta is hosting a race for students in elementary school through high school. Fort Custer trails are fun for all ages, and the state park also has a beach and campsites. This September event is hosted by the Michigan Scholastic Cycling Association. 

Make sure to download Coldwater Country’s Map-N-Tour app, including 15 and 20-mile bike tours of the area. The app also includes local favorite things to see and do, along with places to stop for a bite after working up an appetite on the area bike tours.

Enjoy the signts, smells, and tastes of the region with the Lakeshore Harvest Ride, a special bike tour through the rolling countryside, wineries, cider mills, orchards, and family farms around Southwest Michigan. Choose from multiple routes varying between 15 and 67 miles, with starting poins in Douglas or South Haven, each with multiple stops to shop, eat, and enjoy the area. Routes, tour stops, and registration details available at Lakeshore Harevest Ride website.  

Looking for biking in South Haven? There are several trails in the area that you’ll want to check out. 

• The Kal-Haven Trail is a 33.5 mile linear multi-use trail that links Kalamazoo to South Haven. The trail is built on the abandoned Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad route, which existed from 1870 to 1970 and has been converted to a trail with limestone and slag surface. 
• The Great Lake-to-Lake Route #1 begins in South Haven and runs east across the State of Michigan to Port Huron. In South Haven, the Kal-Haven trail serves as the first leg of the Route #1 trail. The entire 290+ mile trail was connected in the fall of 2019. 
• The Van Buren Trail is a 14-mile linear multi-use trail that links the cities of Harford and South Haven. The trail runs through open farmland, blueberry fields, dense brush and wooded areas. The trail contains a 4.5 mile trail spur that links Van Buren State Park to South Haven. There are also plenty of places for you to rent your biking equipment in South Haven.  

The Lansing River Trail traces the banks of the Grand and Red Cedar Rivers, connecting parks, historic sites, and urban activity centers for approximately 17 miles. The trail is ideal for running, biking, and inline skating. Lansing is also home to the Anderson Park Mountain Bike Trail which is a 3.9 mile moderately trafficked loop trail that features a river and is good for all skill levels. The trail offers a number of activity options and is best used from April-October. Dogs are allowed.

Holland has more than 150 miles of paved, separate-use bike paths. There are off-road trails for mountain biking as well as scenic lakeshore rides. If a bike rental better suits your travel plans, several shops in Holland offer this service, which also include a helmet and lock.

Ludington is home to miles of bicycle trails at the Ludington State Park, Memorial Tree Park, Cartier Park, and Ludington School Forest. The area is also home to specialty bike shops that  will keep you outfitted for any season with bike sales, rentals, repairs, and accessories. 

There are lots of options for biking in Muskegon. Some favorite trails include:

• Hart-Montague Trail State Park has 24 miles of paved trail through rural and forested lands with scenic overlooks and picnic areas. Hiking, biking, cross country skiing and snowmobiling are allowed. Horseback riding is allowed on non-asphalt portions.
• Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail is 6.8 miles of paved trail from White Lake Dr. in Fruitland Township to McMillan Rd. in Dalton Township. This is an extension of the Hart-Montague Trail.
• Musketawa Trail is 26 miles of paved trail from Muskegon to Marne through farmlands, wetlands and villages. Hiking, biking, snowmobiling, horseback riding, skating and cross country skiing are allowed. The trail is also wheelchair accessible.
• Lakeshore Trail is 12 miles of paved trail with sections running on or along the road from Pere Marquette Park and Beach to the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve. There are plenty of views of Lake Michigan, Muskegon Lake, dunes, parks and the city of Muskegon. Hiking and biking only, please.
• Owasippe is a single track 23 miles long of Michigan’s top 10 rated mountain biking trails. It is a great trail for intermediate to advanced riders.

Hit the trails in Mt. Pleasant! With more than 1,000 acres of parkland, there’s fun for hikers and bikers! A few top suggestions for biking include: 

• Deerfield Nature Park is a 591-acre park located along the banks of the Chippewa River, and is home to eight miles of hiking and biking trails to explore. Deerfield Nature Park has been dubbed the most beautiful place in Isabella County by Pure Michigan, so definitely a place you’ll want to check out. 
• GKB Riverwalk Trail/Access Adventure Trail. Explore five of Mt. Pleasant’s city parks in one afternoon with the help of the GKB Riverwalk Trail/Access Adventure Trail. This two-mile trail connects the Mt. Pleasant community’s most famous parks; from Chipp-A-Waters Park to Island Park in Downtown Mt. Pleasant. 

With the spring and summer months fast approaching, the snow will be melting offering those nature-bound folks a chance to hit the trails! Looking for an excellent place to bike? Mecosta County has a selection of trails perfect for a leisurely ride or for a challenging afternoon. Mecosta’s 1st major trail for biking enthusiasts is the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail which is just under 100 miles long and spans from Grand Rapids to Cadillac with plenty of sections traveling through Mecosta County. The Hungerford Recreation Area in Big Rapids offers separate trails for hikers and bikers to enjoy, two loops to create an overall 10 mile trail. These trails accommodate either less experienced riders or those looking for more of a challenge. The White Pine Valley Recreation Area in Paris offers a 200-acre woodland area with a loop trail system for mountain bike groups to enjoy. For a more relaxing biking adventure, enjoy the Big Rapids Riverwalk which is just under 3.5 miles long and follows alongside the mighty Muskegon River. This award-winning trail features benches, bike racks, picnic areas, and fishing platforms on either side of the 250 foot wooden bridge. Wishing to explore all the trails Mecosta County has to offer but don’t have the equipment? No worries, the Ferris State University Recreation Center allows for visitors to rent out equipment on a daily basis.

Head out on a bike + brew or a bike + wine tour in northern Michigan with Grand Traverse Bike Tours of Suttons Bay! Traverse City is quickly becoming the microbrew capital of Michigan, with over 10 breweries downtown plus locally grown hops. There is no better way to experience the breweries than by a bike tour. With a handful of favorite breweries selected, tour guides will lead you through the side streets of Traverse City’s quaint downtown and behind the scenes at the area’s best brew houses. Tours move at a casual pace, using the freedom of bicycles to explore Traverse City. If it’s been a while since you last rode, not to worry! Tour guides will happily accommodate your needs. Look forward to a safe, relaxing, and, most of all, memorable day. If you are looking for an exceptional experience in wine country but want the flexibility of being on your own, the Leelanau Wine Trail Bike Tour is perfect for you. Enjoy the conveniences of bike rental and explore the vineyards at your own pace. On this tour you will casually roll down the Leelanau Trail making detours to the wineries, beginning and ending at the Grand Traverse Bike Tours office in Suttons Bay. The tour is self-guided which allows you to travel at your own pace, stop to soak in the scenery or stay a little longer at your favorite winery.

Looking to take a leisurely ride with family or friends? Rent a bike from one of the many shops in Traverse City and enjoy the top trails in the area: The Leelanau Trail stretches 17 miles between Traverse City and Suttons Bay, running past forests, vineyards, and lakes. The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail runs 20 miles through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. The Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART Trail) is a 10.5-mile urban corridor that takes you all over Traverse City.

With a variety of terrain and numerous scenic trails for the novice to expert rider, Grayling has become a favorite bikers’ destination. The Grayling area offers a paved pathways system that is over 11 miles long and is great for both hiking & biking. The Hanson Hills Recreation Area provides a mix of single track trails that travel through a variety of rolling hills which covers over 1,500 acres of recreational playground. Riders of all calibers can challenge themselves on this scenic trail that incorporates fast single track, hill climbs and fun descents. Hanson Hills has provided excellent and challenging Mountain Biking trail systems for many years but they now also have an “Easy Rider” beginner loop! A slow rolling 3 mile loop that covers some of their best natural views, without causing coronary distress…perfect for a family ride. The trail is well marked and offers a great option for those who want to ride and enjoy the great scenery.

The Terrace Inn is a beautiful historic Inn located just 1 mile from downtown Petoskey and close to several hiking and biking trails. The Terrace Inn offers a complimentary hot breakfast for guests and an onsite restaurant that serves dinner every night. 

Pedal around Crystal Mountain’s quaint village core or enjoy the serenity surrounding the lush golf courses. This family-friendly ride is perfect for the family on-the-go. Looking for a little more adventure? Hit the trails at Crystal Mountain or a dynamic mountain biking experience. Enjoy miles of beginner, intermediate, and advanced on-site mountain bike trails that the whole family can enjoy. With family friendly cross-country trails, flowing and fast scenic single tracks, or tight, twisty technical trails – adventure is just around the corner. Mountain Biking is geared for ages 8+. Rentals are available April-October. In addition to on-site mountain biking, Crystal Mountain’s trails also connect to the Betsie River Pathway. Thrill seekers looking for an adrenaline adventure can ride the fast, fun, and friendly downhill Gravity Park at Crystal Mountain. The five unique technical trails are a combination of beginner to advanced, highlighting open and high speed fun, twisty, and narrow sections in the woods, and man-made technical features. 

Great bicycling adventures begin at Mission Point Resort on Mackinac Island this summer. As you step back in time to a world without motor vehicles, bikes pave the way for miles of shoreline explorations and unparalleled trail views. Ride to Arch Rock or British Landing in style before returning to Mission Point’s great lawn for a relaxing afternoon picnic among blossoming Proven Winners Signature Gardens and stunning lakefront views. Get out and immerse yourself in Michigan’s natural beauty this season at Mission Point on Mackinac Island.

From newcomer to expert rider—and any level in between—the Keweenaw is the Midwest’s top mountain biking destination. With hundreds of miles of single track, incredible views of Lake Superior, and trails for all skill-levels, the Keweenaw has got you covered. Check out Copper Harbor’s IMBA “Silver Level Ride Center” for the advanced stuff or hit the Swedetown Recreation Area for a real family adventure. Or, ride among the mine ruins at Adventure Mine!

Head up north and let the Keweenaw Adventure Company help you encounter an internationally renowned mountain bike trail system that will not disappoint. The Keweenaw Peninsula’s terrain surrounding Copper Harbor is mountainous by Midwestern standards and has some of the highest vertical elevation (up to 900’) between the Appalachian and the Rocky Mountains. Scoured away by the glaciers over 10,000 years ago, the rocky, rugged terrain of exposed bedrock, spiny ridge-lines and undulating valleys left behind offer a “genuine” mountain biking experience unlike anywhere else in this part of the country.