Mountain Biking in
the Upper Peninsula

The Upper Peninsula has the most biking trails in the state of Michigan.

There are thousands of miles of back roads, bike trails, logging roads, snowmobile and cross-country ski trails open to bikers, national and state forest trails, and even our state highways have very little traffic. Motels, cottages, bed and breakfasts and campgrounds are everywhere. The roads seem to stretch on endlessly as you bike through the spectacular scenery of the Upper Peninsula.

Travel the old logging trails to the Huron Mountains, rivers and beautiful waterfalls. Ride in the McCormick Wilderness for a real back woods ride, or the backroads in the Hiawatha and Ottawa National Forest, the State Forests, and the Keweenaw Peninsula. Most areas also have exciting designated bike trails for miles of fun riding.

If you want to escape to the great wild outdoors, the Upper Peninsula is for you.

Guided Tours, Bike Races & Trail Rides, and Mountain Biking Trails

Mountain Biking in the Upper Peninsula,

by Ron Stenfors, President of the Range Mountain Bike Club and co-owner and operator of Maple Lane Sports.

Rails to Trails

Hancock-Calumet Rail Trail - Jack Stevens Trail
Keweenaw Rail Trail
Mass City to Houghton - Bill Nicholls Multi-Use Trail
 
Official Trails
 
Alger County
Bruno's Run, 11 miles S of M-28 near Munisig on Forest Highway 13. 1-5 segments
Grand Island National Recreation Area, off shore of Munising.
Valley Spur, on M-94, 4 miles south of M-28 near Munising. 1-4 segments. 21 miles.
Grand Marais (5 trails - over 300 miles)
Chippewa County
Paradise Pathway, 1 mile W of Paradise on M-123. 7 miles
Whitefish Point Road, 11 miles from Paradise to Whitefish Pont.
Delta County
Days River Pathway, 2 miles NW of US-2 & US-41 between Gladstone and Rapid River
Escanaba Pathways, on N-30th Street behind the Delta Plaza Shopping Center
Rapid River Trails, 7 miles north of Rapid River on US-41
Dickinson County
Fumee Lake Natural Area, US-2, Lake Antoine to parking lot. loops 1-3, 16 miles
Merriman East Pathway (Map)
Iron Mountain City Park, US-2, W on A Street to end. loops 1-4. 3 miles
Strawberry Lake Area, US-2 to Norway, N on Main St. Right turn after viaduct, 3 miles
Gogebic County
Pines & Mines Mountain Bike System, trails throughout Gogebic County including new Powers Trail. 100 miles
Wolverine Mountain Bike Trail near Big Powderhorn. 9 miles
Hoghton County
Bill Nicholls Multi Use Rail-Trail from Mass Cit to Houghton. 41 miles.
Churning Rapids, off M-203 North from Hancock
Jack Stevens Rail-Trail, Hancock to Calumet
MTU Trails, off US-41 & M-26 to Sharon Avenue in Houghton. 17 miles
Swede Town Trails, off US-41 in Calumet to Swede Town Road. 15 miles
Iron County
Glidden Lake Footpaths on Lake Mary Road, S of M-69. 3 loops, 12 miles
Ottawa Lake, on Ottawa Lake Road, W of M-73, 1 mile S of US-2 (9 miles of trails) Pentoga Park, Brule River Trail by Chicaugon Lake
Wolf-Track Nature Trail, on Co Road 424, SW of George Young Recreation 1 mile
Keweenaw County
Copper Country Trails. . . a world class Mountain Bike Trail System. 24 miles. 906-289-4303
Luce County
Canada Lakes Pathway, 2 miles south of M-28 on County Road 403. 12 miles
Mackinac County
Fitness Expo Route, trails meander through the Hiawatha National Forest. 40 miles
North Country Trail, 35 miles
Railroad Grade, 1 block behind Chamber of Commerce in St. Ignace. 100 miles
Sand Dunes Trails, 12 miles W of St. Ignace, W on US-2 to Brevort Lake Road. 7 trails
Marquette County
Al Quaal Trail (Map) Ishpeming, Al Quaal Recreation Atrea. 5-10 miles
Anderson Lake state owned trail system. 6 miles
Big Bay Trail. 7 miles
Blueberry Ridge Trail, 7 miles
City of Marquette, runs from Presque Isle Harbor past NMU campus to Marquette Harbor. 13 miles
Country Village Range Mountain Bike Trail System connecting to
Al Quaal Trail (Map) and Suicide Bowl/Cleveland Trails (Map)
Danny's Trail, N of Teal Lake, Ishpeming/Negaunee. 13 miles
Lower Noquemanon Trail. 15 miles
Norm's Hill Street Trails, Hill Street, Ishpeming. 2 mile loop signed.
Mountain Biking in the West end of Marquette County by Ron Stenfors, President of the Range Mountain Bike Club
Ontonagon County
Porcpine Mountains Wilderness State Park. 5 trails . 26 miles
Schoolcraft County
Ashford Lake Pathway, 3 loop trail system, on M-94, 16 miles N. of Manistique
Bruno's Run, Forest Highway 13, 7 miles
Coalwood Trail, on M-94 & M-28 in Shingleton 24 miles
Haywire Trail, M-94 Shingleton to Water Treatment Plant in Manistique through the Hiawatha National Forest. 33 miles
Indian Lake Pathway on M-149 in Manistuque. 4 miles
Pine Martin Run, 5 loop system, 30 miles N of Manistique, CR 440 & 437 and Forest Road 2258
Seney National Wildlife Refuge, Marxhland Wildlife Drive and connecting trails. 100 miles
Van Winkle Nature Trail, Camp 7 Lake Campgrounds, 8 miles E. of forest Highway 13 on County Road 4427. 28 miles.

Cross Country Ski Trails - Mountain Biking in the Summer

Snowmobile Trails - Mountain Biking in the Summer

Wilderness Rides

Big Bay, 23 miles north of Marquette, was once a thriving lumber town. The logging trails are no longer in use and are open for mountain biking, hiking and camping. On the edge of the McCormick Wilderness tract. Incredible scenery. From beginning to very advanced riders.

Grand Island, one half mile off of Munising MI in Lake Superior. Ferry service available. A perfect spot for wilderness camping, mountain biking, hiking, fishing, skiing and snowmobiling.

Grand Marais, over 300 miles of mapped trails from beginner to advanced.The trail system is located in one of the remotest areas of the state and takes you through pristine forests, along the shore of Lake Superior, and through canopied roads in the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.

Keweenaw Peninsula. Bike the old logging roads in the top of the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Ottawa National Forest - The Ottawa National Forest in the western Upper Peninsula provides a wide variety of mountain biking opportunities ranging from well maintained and signed loops to more challenging cross country travel. Except for wilderness areas and specifically designated hiker only trails (including the North Country National Scenic Trail), the entire forest is open to mountain bikes. Near Ontonagon, MI

Seney National Wildlife Refuge

Western Marquette County Mountain Biking, some of the finest, if not the finest, mountain biking in the U.P. offering trails with all levels of difficulty, from beginner to expert.

 

Links
Michigan Mountain Biking Association.
 Lodging in these Towns and Cities

Big Bay, MI
Calumet,MI
Grand Marais MI
Iron Mountain, MI
Ishpeming, MI
Munising, MI
Newberry, MI
Ontonagon, MI
Keweenaw
Curtis, Germfask, Gould City, MI - Manistique Lakes Area
Towns and Cities of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan

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Upper Peninsula Lodging Page
Towns and Cities of Upper Michigan
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