West Michigan Hybrid Bicycle Routes
The only true local trail on this list is the Kal-Haven Trail which starts in South Haven, the other trails require travel. If you are willing to travel from your vacation place, west Michgian has great options for a day of biking. Many of the trial descriptions have been taken from the websites liked below the descriptions. Some of the trails have downloadable maps linked below the description.
A nice feature of our list is that the A1 Trails Web Listings have rider reviews and ratings so you can have an idea of what to expect before you head away from your vacation place. Enjoy!
Battle Creek Linear Park
Trail description: The Battle Creek Linear Park is a 18-mile paved loop around the city of Battle Creek. For part of its length the pathway follows the Battle Creek River and the Kalamazoo River. At the west end it will eventually connect with the Kalamazoo River Valley Trail which, in turn, links with the Kal-Haven State Trail.
Grand Haven/Holland Trails
Trail description: 20-mile trail connects Holland and Grand Haven on Lake Michigan. Another 15-mile trail circles Spring Lake in Grand Haven.
Hart-Montague Trail State Park
Trail description: The 25-mile Hart-Montague Trail State Park paved trail runs from Hart south to Montague and Whitehall.
Kal Haven Trail
The most popular place Rock 'n' Road Cycle of South Haven's rental bikes go. A packed limestone trail from South Haven to Kalamazoo, 33.5 miles.
Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
Trail description: The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail is a paved multi-purpose trail that, when completed, will be 35 miles in length and connect three local trails in the Kalamazoo area: the Kal-Haven, Portage Bicentennial Park Trail (a 4 mile long trail), and Battle Creek's Linear Path. As of Fall 2008, 4.8 miles are complete from 10th Street to downtown Kalamazoo, with construction starting in February 2009 of the next segment. When completed in 2010, the trail will connect the Kal-Haven Trail west to Battle Creek to make a total end-to-end length of about 83 miles and bring the total length of trails in the region to 140 miles.
Musketawa Trail (Muskegon State Park)
Trail description: The Musketawa Trail at 26 miles in length, is the longest paved trail in Michigan. The trail is 12 feet wide with a gravel shoulder. It runs from Black Creek Road in Muskegon, to Marne in Ottawa county. The name is a blend of Muskegon and Ottawa, the two counties it runs through. The Musketawa was designated as a Community Millennium Trail by the White House Millennium Council. The trail runs past farmland, wetland, and over several creeks.
Pere Marquette Rail-Trail
Trail description: The Pere Marquette Trail presently runs from downtown Midland to US 27 on the outskirts of . The Midland City section is 12 feet wide and 3 miles long. The Midland and Isabella County sections are 14 feet wide and approximately 27 miles in length. The entire 30 miles are paved. Many parks, recreation areas, and a wildlife sanctuary are on or near the trail. Herrick Park and Lake County Park (near Sanford) both have swimming beaches. There is a bicycle shop in Coleman which is located next to the trail. There are many parking areas and restrooms located conveniently along the trail. The DNR owns the rail-line right-of-way from the west side of to Baldwin. So, a continuous trail from Midland to Baldwin is a definite possibility.
White Pine Trail State Park
Trail description: The 92-mile multi-use Fred Meijer White Pine Trail State Park runs from Grand Rapids north to Cadillac along the former rail bed of the Penn Central Railroad. The trail intersects the Pere Marquette Trail at Reed City.
Extra Information
The information above has been compiled from the following sources: A1 Trails Guide, MDOT Official Bike Website, Trails From Rails Website
For information regarding other bicycle trails throughout Michgian, or the effort to create more trails please visit the follow sites: Michigan Trails & Greenway Alliance, Top of Michigan Trail Council