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5 of the Lower Peninsula’s Most Beautiful Bike Routes

Whether it’s via car, on foot or by boat, Michigan is ripe with stunning locales to be taken in at our disposal. During the summer, nothing beats seeing the state on two wheels.

Did you know that we have access to more than 1,300 miles of biking trails? That’s a lot of land, but we’re up for the challenge. Below, we share some of our favorites across the “land of the hand.”

DTE Energy Foundation Trail: Constructed in 2016, the DTE Energy Foundation Trail contains two loops that extend nearly 10 miles. This year, the trail is slated to grow by three additional paths. One of which is the four and three-quarter mile Big Kame Loop, north of Green Lake. This unique path, named after the formation created by glacial meltwater, winds through beautiful scenery and contains elevation changes perfect for bikers looking for a challenge.

Fred Meijer White Pine Trail: At 92 miles long, the Fred Meijer White Pine Trail is Michigan’s longest linear trail. The 88 miles of path tout a scenic route from Cadillac to Grand Rapids, winding through Big Rapids and Sand Lake, on down to Comstock Park. It contains various trail surfaces as well as food and lodging options along its way.

Clinton River Trail: This 16-mile bike trail runs along an abandoned rail line in Oakland County. It starts in West Bloomfield Township to the west and winds through cities like Sylvan Lake, Pontiac, and Rochester to connect with the Macomb Orchard Trail to the east. As a heads up – the majority of the path is unpaved, and it is suggested that bikers do not traverse it with narrow tires.

Muskegon Lakeshore Trail:  This 12-mile paved path winds from the southern shore of Muskegon Lake to North Muskegon, while offering riders a view of Lake Michigan and beautiful dunes along the ride.

Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation (TART) Trail:  This 10.5 mile long path runs between Acme Township and Carter Road in Traverse City. With a number of fun stops along the way, including recreation, shopping and dining areas, this trail is perfect for a great riding day.

Now that we’ve given you a few places to get started, it’s time for the fun part–get out and ride!

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Photo credit: hut547.

A Healthier Michigan
Author: A Healthier Michigan

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