Find the top rated cross country skiing trails in East Lansing, whether you're looking for an easy short cross country skiing trail or a long cross country skiing trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a cross country skiing trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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We enjoyed this ride, all 45 miles, from Creekside Park in Lowell to Greenville and back. The surface wasn't nice asphalt, but kinda rough. Some areas were worn smoothish from use - so not terrible. But we will were able to keep a good pace. The bathrooms in Belding were locked on the Saturday morning of Memorial weekend, but there was a lovely porta potty we could use. What's the point of bathrooms if we can't use them? (Side note, the bathrooms at Creekside Park in Lowell were unlocked and very nice. The sign on the bathrooms said they opened at 10 am, but we were there earlier than that and they were open. Thanks, Lowell.)
We saw several turtles, including a few snappers that appeared to be laying eggs on the edge of the path, but we didn't too close to verify that because we like to keep our fingers. Also saw some deer, a quail, birds, and a bunny.
Beware, southbound once you get around Smyrna there is a long uphill section. Not steep because trains are wimpier than I am, but it was a long section.
I've been running a couple different out and back stretches between McPherson Ave and Greenville about three times a week from spring to fall for about 4 years now.
I can see how the surface might not be good for skinny wheel bikes in areas, but for runners. the surface is pretty great. Not only is it a softer impact surface than asphalt, even better, no crown in the path is needed to shed water. No crown means a perfect flat surface across the path. I can run on the sides, out of biker's way, and not have one leg travelling farther than the other to make up for the drop in the crown, screwing up my hips and back.
Sounds amazing underfoot, too.
Not to mention the nature and surroundings.
I ran by a fawn sleeping right in the middle of the path a couple days ago. Eagles, Sand Hill Cranes, Fox, all kinds of water birds. It's amazing.
Please never pave this path. Touch it up here and there, but no asphalt.
One of my favorite trails to longboard on. The segment by Spring Arbor that perfectly cuts through the lake is especially beautiful in the summer. Some bikers can be going fast so just be mindful of your surroundings, but it's a great trail beginning to end.
Nice paved path from Pettysville Road and M 36 marshaling area through Pinckney. The path turns to fine crushed stone near Anderson and was quite a chore to ride on due to wet, low light areas which had not dried out. Not great in this area for bikes on a leisurely ride. Nice dry, sunny day of 50 degrees. The path will probably not dry out here all winter.
If you like water, wildlife, serenity, and long, straight, flat trails enveloped by a canopy of trees, then this is the trail for you.
I started at the Concord trailhead, and as I made my way past the north branch of the Kalamazoo River, along the trail beneath the canopy of trees, and eventually to the causeway across Lime Lake before another canopy of trees to Jackson, I kept thinking to myself how great it must be to live nearby and to enjoy this trail year-round and its four seasons.
I experienced it on a brisk, early October morn and enjoyed the beginnings of fall color and the golden brown, leaf covered path. As a visitor from suburban southern California, I don't really get to enjoy that Autumn color back home.
I especially appreciated the clean air, picturesque scenery, solitude, modern whimsical sculptures near the Jackson trailhead, and the outgoing and friendly locals utilizing the trail.
The bike ride was only a twenty-two mile round trip, but it was certainly worth the journey for me from SoCal to enjoy this idyllic setting!
This trail starts at Whitmore Lake and goes all the way to Jackson prison. The trail is mostly crushed limestone which is smooth and flat. Nice scenery the whole way. The trail goes very close to the prison. You can even see the inmates exercising in the yard. It was like a movie set.
This is my new favorite trail. Sparkling clear lakes appear on one or both sides of the trail with spots for sitting and enjoying the views. We saw several pairs of swans.
I tried the trail for the first time today. I started at the parking lot off Barton. As I entered the city, I found it very confusing. Various trails ended up on city streets with no indication of where the trail picked up again. I finally was able to find my way to the long stretch along the river. More markings are needed, especially where the trail branches off, to help guide us on the right direction!
Great ride today. Rode the entire trail and back. Terrific surface overall. Tony’s in St Charles had good chili and Italian bread
We rode today from Ionia to Pewoma. The trail was cleared from the trees that were down in August. It was a beautiful ride with the leaves starting to fall. About 22 miles out and back!
We road today from Ionia to Saranac. What a beautiful ride. The trail was in great condition with the leaves just starting to fall. We parked in Ionia by the trailhead which worked out perfect. It was about a twenty mile ride there and back.
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