best bike rides in michigan

Updated on August 18, 2022

The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, depicted above, is one of many easy-to-ride bike paths in Michigan.

Mountain bikers with more experience can also find plenty of hard routes in the state. One such example is the Flow, a three-mile downhill thrill ride in the Copper Harbour Trails in the Upper Peninsula.
Warm air and snow begin to cover the countryside as winter approaches. However much snow falls in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan throughout the winter, it doesn’t have to stop you from having fun in the great outdoors. The only thing you’ll need to get started is a bicycle with tyres that are at least 3.8″ wide.

St. Ignace, Michigan, is the ideal starting point for a fat-tire riding trip in the Upper Peninsula because of its accessibility to some of the best places in the region. The Upper Peninsula of Michigan is a great place to ride fat tyres.

This article isn’t for you if you’re like that sort of thing.

This is for individuals who recall the phrase “It’s just like biking,” but haven’t had much opportunity to do so — until they were forced to spend more time indoors.
There are many flat or relatively level bike trails in the Lower Michigan region. A number of Michigan’s bike routes are built on old railroad tracks and meander through rural and small-town regions. Cities have designated more non-motorized pathways in an effort to provide more options for transit and pleasure.

Ride again as soon as 2020-21’s supply chain problems allow bike shops to replace their stock, if the last time you rode your rear end went numb, closely followed by your hands and lower arms.

There are a wide variety of “comfortable bikes” on the market nowadays. As an example of such a design that eliminates the need to raise one’s leg over their bike, the list includes hybrids, cruisers, and step-through (or EZ) boarding bikes. The trails are also frequented by recumbent bikes and adult tricycles.

The popularity of electric bikes is on the rise, and if you keep peddling, you’ll burn calories. Some cities have tried to ban them from their trails, but as the number of bikes increases, such rules are going by the wayside. Visit a local bike shop where a skilled employee will assist you in determining which type of bike is best suited to your needs.

Make use of one of Michigan’s many bike racks and hit the road!

Book a stay at one of the recommended bed and breakfasts before you go. Visit the websites listed below to learn more. With local expertise and help with logistics, a B&B owner is your best bet for an enjoyable and clean stay.

There are almost 1,300 miles of twisty bike routes spread across Michigan. While many people associate bike trails with the countryside, there are actually some that are located close to prominent urban areas. You can learn more about these paths and how to get there by reading this guide.

Awesome Michigan Urban Biking Trails You Must Ride

1. Flint River Trail

Anyone in the eastern part of the state must take a ride on this surface trail. You’ll walk through residential areas and public parks as you learn about Flint’s history through historical markers along this trail.

2 – Port Huron – Port Huron Bridge to Bay Trail

 

Take a ride on the Bridge to Bay Trail while seeing Michigan’s sunrise coast. The St. Clair River Trek starts near the well-known Blue Water Bridge and follows the river all the way to the end. A drawbridge will be crossing the Black River before you make your way through central Port Huron and the Blue Water River Walk, which ends near the Coast Guard Cutter Bramble Museum and a tunnel underneath Military Street in New Baltimore. Your bike can go along with you on the Amtrak Blue Water train if you don’t enjoy driving.

In the city of Detroit, the Dequindre Cut

Until 2009, the Dequindre Cut Greenway was a Grand Trunk Railroad line that was converted into a biking route. It’s a two-mile path that connects the Detroit Riverfront, Eastern Market, and several of the city’s more residential areas.

a walk along the banks of the Grand River in Grand Rapids, Michigan’s largest city.

The Grand River Edges Trails can be found on Michigan’s western shore. Along the Grand River, these pathways lead to downtown Grand Rapids and Kent Trails, and Millennium Park, respectively. Riverside Park’s paved path connects to the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park for a total of 2.2 miles.

Marquette Ride

is an Upper Peninsula network of approximately 12 miles of paved paths that takes you through the most breathtaking views and historic attractions in the area. The MDOT Welcome Center in Harvey and Presque Isle Park serve as the starting point for the trail’s most popular five-mile section along Lake Superior’s shoreline.

The Musketawa Trail – Muskegon, Michigan 6.

Four-season Musketawa Trail winds through orchards and farmland with paved sections, such as the Fred Meijer Pioneer Trail, which is seven miles from Marne to Walker, and the F. M. Berry Junction, which is 10.6 miles from Whitehall via the White Lake Pathway.

Seventh – Lansing River Trail

Located between Old Town and Jolly Road, the Lansing River Trail is a constructed path that runs along the river. Along the Grand River, bikers can enjoy views of the Michigan Capitol Building from overlooks on the 13-mile trail.

8. Rochester’s Paint Creek Trail

The Paint Creek Trail was first used as a railroad in the 1800s. Trail users can choose between a gravel or paved path. In downtown Rochester, bikers can stop for lunch or a seat in the park along the paved 8.5-mile section.

Traverse City’s Leelanau Trail

Traverse City and Suttons Bay are linked by a 17-mile paved route. There will be lakes and ponds to visit as well as forests, farms, and vineyards for the avid cyclist. The trail is 17 miles long, but the most of it is flat, making it reasonably easy to ride. Trailheads can be found at various points along the 17-mile route for those who prefer not to cycle the entire distance.

This is where the Pere Marquette Rail-Trail goes through Midland, Michigan

The Pere Marquette Rail-Trail spans 30 miles through Midland and connects the city to the rest of the state. Bikers, hikers, and inline skaters can all take advantage of the trail’s scenic vistas. Every year, the route attracts over 200,000 visitors.

Detroit, Michigan – Wayne County’s I-275 Metro Trail

The Michigan Transportation department built this 33-mile paved road in the 1970s in response to the state’s then-current fuel problem. It connected the cities of Wayne and Monroe, and it ran alongside U.S. Route 275. It is now used for recreational purposes by both motorcyclists and hikers.

 

Make sure

• the snow is at least six inches thick before venturing out.
• If it’s over 30 degrees outside, stay off the trails.
• Keep right on two-way trails.
• At least 3.7 inches wide and no more than 4-6 PSI should be used on your tyres

 

Visit the Michigan DNR website for the latest route information and Fat Tire Biking etiquette. Of course, trails aren’t just for mountain riding. St. Ignace, Michigan is a great place to go sledding or cross-country skiing in the winter. Now is the time to make plans for a winter holiday!