Explore the best rated trails in Waterford, MI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Vassar Rail Trail and Genesee Valley Trail . With more than 67 trails covering 536 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.
I used to ride this trail back in 1996 and have returned to cycling at 70! On my new cf Trek FX4 this is a great ride. Next time, I’ll spend some time in Lake Orion and maybe get lunch at one of the bar/restaurants in Rochester!
Rode this trail Sept 2024 from St Johns Depot parking lot 18 miles west toward Ionia, stopping soon after the bridge over the Maple River. It was well maintained, firm crushed stone with asphalt passing through towns. Not a problem for my gravel bike with 42 tire. As noted in other reviews, there are a few softer spots that could be a problem for thinner tires. The trail was mostly tree lined, except the section between Fowler and Pewamo is more open farmland with a view of M-21. The road crossings were smooth with almost no traffic. Stopped at the Pewamo Depot restrooms. The restrooms at St Johns Depot were locked.
My wife and I have been riding this trail for a few years. Previous to this year the path was a great ride with only a few root bumps on the path. we rode this path last week and it is bad as many of the bumps are fully across the path and unavoidable. At 7 miles per hour on hybrid bikes our wrists and bottoms were sore when we finished. Hopefully it will receive some much needed TLC because it is a great park to ride.
So well maintained! Even not paved portions are excellent. The trail is beautiful, it offers a lot of shade, and has great trail heads with dining options along the way. There was plenty of restrooms too.
This is my favorite trail ever to ride! We drive to downtown Rochester and get on it by the park. A little crowded to start - bikers and walkers share - but then thins out the further you ride. It is a slight uphill in this direction to Lake Orion but then all downhill when you turn around. There is a cider mill you can stop at, little free libraries (2), and multiple benches you can rest on if needed. Surface is crushed stone and well kept up. This trail is a must ride!
Bloomer park to beginning of Macomb, Orchard Trail, completely washed out and closed. google for details. still a great trail regardless.
I wish I could give it 20 stars!! This beautiful park has summer and winter sports, gorgeous scenery year around. I encourage everyone to come and enjoy, even if aren’t able to walk, take a drive, have a picnic. You can sit and read, lay in a hammock, walk, run, bike, fish, play on a beach, walk through wooded areas and paved trails. There’s a nature center, a farm area, horse back riding, golf, canoeing, kayaking, boating, water park, beaches, picnic shelters and bathrooms everywhere, there is so many. A golf course, disc golf? ( not sure if that’s what it’s called!! I can’t list it all but I can say i absolutely find solace, peace and happiness here!!!!
Wanting to ride only on the paved section, we hopped on in Hamburg and headed toward Pinckney. There is plenty of parking for the trail just kitty-corner from the Hamburg Pub. There is a lot of intermittent shade which helped on this 86 degree day. The trail is extremely well- maintained and we were on the paved section for about 8 1/2 miles till we started going through Pinckney. Then it turned to gravel so we turned around and headed back. We planned to eat at the Hamburg Pub but the Trump 2024 lawn sign at the pub was a turn-off so we instead headed a couple miles down the road to Zukey Lake Tavern. It was beautiful up on the deck. The food was OK and the cold draft beer was perfect.
So far this is my favorite trail, 21 miles round trip and super nice trail
The longest single connected trail I've ridden in Michigan so far. If you ride it all the way from Jackson to Brighton it's about 40 miles, but there's plenty of places to stop by in-between that show up about every 6 miles. Gregory is about halfway through and offers some good food options for anyone looking to make the full trek.
The trail from Hamburg MI going into Brighton is completely paved and beautiful. Everything from Hamburg going into Jackson is unpaved crushed limestone, and while there's beautiful wildlife around every corner the path can wear you out do the crushed limestone path. Still gives you a beautiful look at different Michigan biomes along the way and is in the middle of nature and away from the busy cityscape for most of the ride.
I live in Lake Orion and ride this trail often. It is well maintained and very scenic.It does get a little crowded on the weekend. La pumas is a get stop to power for the ride back to Lake Orion.
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