Explore the best rated trails in Byron Center, MI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Fred Meijer Flat River Trail and Fred Meijer Standale Trail . With more than 51 trails covering 758 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
The trail is nice but be careful with small sinkholes . There are many ….. at least at the section from South Heaven (I rode about 15 miles). I rode in one of them and fell down pretty badly.
I rode from Kalamazoo to South Haven, staying 2 nights in South Haven, and returning to Kalamazoo on July 1. I love this trail and my trip was great. The east part of the trail is narrower and has more shade and the surface is older. About midway the trail is wider and has fresh crushed limestone. I stopped at a Dollar General at Bloomingdale to get snacks for lunch and to use their restroom. I plan to do the trail in the fall when it will be a different experience.
Rode from South Haven to Grand Junction. State did a great job of rebuilding trail by widening, improving drainage and building a new bridge. However, the loose crushed stone makes it difficult.
We happened to be in Saugatuck and my wife pulled out a clipping from CHICAGO magazine about the Beeline, Said it was 6 miles and went to Holland, After some googling, I found the start and we rode for about an hour, ran out of time, never getting to Holland, and went back to Saugatuck,
It's not well marked at all. I'm sure it's a good track for locals to cycle back and forth, but not very exciting for an outsider. I'll blame the magazine for overly high expectations.
On the way back, I did notice a nice bike repair station, A few pretty views here and there.
As of June 2024 trail is now fully open.
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.
I walked, and occasionally ran, the trial northbound over four days. This is easily one of the most beautiful rail trails I've ever traveled and is one of Michigan's real jewels. The trail quickly becomes rural after leaving Grand Rapids, and then just gets steadily better and better scenery wise (this assumes that you love Northwoods). People debate where the Northwoods begin, and you can form your own opinion on your journey north. I'd argue that Big Rapids is the line. And speaking of, don't forget to celebrate 50 miles covered there at the Sawmill, right on the trailside.
The only downside to the trail is the fact that it's paved (excepting a few miles between Howard City and Big Rapids). When walking 25+ miles a day, the surface of the trail becomes a major factor. Crushed limestone is much kinder to the pedestrian body than pavement. Pavement also encourages folks to ride their ebikes at 30mph, unfortunately, making the trail more like a road near the towns. But that drawback aside, I'll certainly be back to do this trail again.
We rode from the Idema Explorers trail on to the Spoonville trail. It was a great experience. We're from Pennsylvania, and this was our first Michigan trail.
Wonderful ride! I only rode between Dalton and Ravenna, so perhaps the quality of the trail changes after Ravenna. But today, the trail was near perfect! Sure, there are stop signs every few miles---often crossing lightly travelled roads; and, yeah, there were some cracks or root heaves here and there. But honestly, neither of those issues were even issues. I'm a long-distance cyclist that just moved to Michigan. I can't wait to explore more of these wonderful trails and roads! Thank you!!
We ride this path a lot, and Grand Haven’s bike path is horrible. They did resurface part but need to fix the ENTIRE thing. Holland’s is ok definitely rideable. The scenery is great and to end up at the beach which is beautiful.
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