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.
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. Location, phone numbers, state and federal lands. Lots of information.
Mountain Biking Guided Tours with Uncle Ducky Outfitters. Guided mountain biking tours near Marquette in the north central Upper Peninsula. Enjoy spectacular scenery with trails for all levels from beginners to advanced bikers. We offer the Top of the World Tour in Marquette with gentle trails along the lakeshore, around Presque Isle, or up the rocks of Hogsback Mountain. The Noquemanon Trail Network, one of the top 10 trails in the country, will thrill intermediate to advanced bikers, and tours of Grand Island near Munising with 22 miles of trails for beginners to Intermediate bikers. Uncle Ducky Outfitters, 434 East Prospect Street. Marquette, MI 49866. Uncle Ducky also offers a variety of silent sport adventures with packages available. Phone: 877-228-5447 (toll free) or 906-228-5447 or e-mail: wduckwall@chartermi.net
Woods and Water Ecotours, Guided mountain biking tours in the beautiful Eastern Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Tours for the whole family; 2 hours, 5 hours, day trips, and excursions of several days. Explore Michigan's wilderness and back country with experienced guides. Tours include the Natural Pavement Pursuits Bike Outing on Drummond Island's natural limestone pavement. Take a bike ride to points of interest and enjoy the outstanding scenery. Custom tours. Mountain bike rentals. Phone 906-484-4157. Outfitters Store, 20 Pickford Avenue, Mailing address: P.O. Box 114, Hessell, MI 49745.
June 14: Keweenaw Chain Drive, Hancock, MI Phone: 888-766-0325. Race begins at 10 am Saturday at the Franklin Square Inn
June 20, 21,22: 6th Annual Superior Bike Fest Marquette, MI. A range of cycling competition for all ages and skill levels Phone: 1.888.578.6489
June 22: 26th Annual Menominee River Century Ride Phone: 800-234-6681 (tentative)
June 23: 22nd Annual "Tour da Lake" Bike Ride. Phone: 906-932-5858. A 38 mile ride around Lake Gogebic (tentative)
July 13: 17th Annual North Country 100 Bike Tour Wakefield, MI begins at Sunday Lake for a ride through the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. Phone the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce at: 906-224-2222 (tentative)
August 11: 8th Annual Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic. Marquette. Phone: 866-370-RACE
August 16: The Great Deer Chase Held at Swedetown Recreation Area on newly developed bike trails. Starts and finishes in downtown Calumet. Distances are 15 & 25 Mile xc races, 3 & 4.5 mile youth races. Adult races feature over 50% single track. Phone: 906-337-1300. E-mail: gpc49913@charter.net
August 31: Copper Harbor Flat Tire Festival in Copper Harbor. 23 mi & 13 mi cross country mountain bike race. Race begins at 2 pm. Kids races. Phone: 906-289-4303
September 6: Tour da Woods Bike Ride in Munising. Phone: 906-387-2138
September 14: Delta County Century Ride. Beginning at the Gladstone High School in Gladstone, MI Phone: 906-786-2192 or the Delta County Chamber of Commerce at 888-335-8264. (tentative)
Rails to Trails
Cross Country Ski Trails - Mountain Biking in the Summer
Snowmobile Trails - Mountain Biking in the Summer
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
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.
Towns and Cities of Upper Michigan
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