Best Bike Trails In Metro Detroit

Bike riding is one of the most enjoyable outdoor athletic activities, and people of all fitness levels can benefit from cycling. Cycling provides a stimulating athletic challenge. It is also a fun activity for the whole family. Some people are also turning to bike riding as a green transportation option. Metro Detroit offers many excellent bike trails for general cycling and mountain biking. Get your bike ready and find out which Metro Detroit bike trail to try first.

Belle Isle Park
2 Inselruhe Ave.
Detroit, MI 48207
(844) 235-5375
www.michigandnr.com

Belle Isle is a state park located on an island between Detroit and Canada. The 985-acre island connects to Detroit from a bridge that can be accessed off East Jefferson avenue. Belle Isle is a lovely island of natural beauty with 230 acres of wooded wetlands filled with unique plant life and many Michigan songbirds. Attractions include a museum, aquarium, zoo, golf range and conservatory. The bike trail offers a relaxing and scenic setting for a leisurely bike ride. For serious cyclists, Belle Isle also connects to the statewide trail, the Iron Belle Trail, a 791-mile bicycle route from Belle Isle to Ironwood. Belle Isle Park is open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily, Sunday-Saturday. A state recreation pass is required to enter Belle Isle. The annual pass cost $11 per car, and $5 per motorcycle, and provides access to all Michigan state parks.

Kensington Metropark
4570 Huron River Parkway
Milford, MI 48380
(810) 227-8910
www.metroparks.com

Kensington Metropark is a popular park for outdoor activities. The park boasts 4,481 acres of woodland around Kent Lake, giving visitors' a glimpse of some of Michigan's natural beauty. Kensington provides many activities, such as biking, swimming, fishing, boating golfing and visiting the nature center. The eight and one half mile paved bike trail at Kensington Metropark will be scenic and a bit challenging in some areas due to the slightly hilly landscape. The park is open 6 a.m.-10 p.m. every day. A vehicle pass is required for entrance to Kensington Park. A day pass is $10 per car. Annual passes are also available for $35, and can be used at all Metropark locations.

Maybury State Park
20145 Beck Road
Northville, MI 48167
(248) 349-8390
www.michigandnr,com

Maybury State Park is a great choice for both leisurely bike riding and mountain biking. The 1,000-acre park features a lush landscape with a wooded area and many outdoor activities like horseback riding, swimming, fishing and hiking. The park has a 4-mile-long paved bicycle trail, and a 5-mile-long mountain bike path. Maybury Park is open 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. A state recreation pass is required for entry to Maybury State Park. State recreation passes can be purchased for $11 and are good for a year.

Related:  Ask an Expert: Best Bike Rides in Detroit

Rogue Park Trail
15099 West Outer Drive
Detroit, MI 48235
info@mcmba.org
www.mcmba.org

If you are into mountain biking, try Rogue Park Trail. This trail, run by the Motor City Mountain Biking Association, is located at Rogue Park in Detroit's Warrendale neighborhood. The challenging path is suitable for beginner to intermediate cyclists. Although this is an urban trail, the trail in an located in an area is lined with trees and natural beauty. The bike path is 3 miles long, but still challenges cyclists of every level. Entrance to Rogue Park Trail is free.

West Bloomfield Trail
2294 Woodrow Wilson
West Bloomfield, MI 48324
(248) 451-1900
www.westbloomfieldparks.org

West Bloomfield Trail is an excellent venue for hiking and biking. The 54-acre trail use to be a railroad corridor. Now West Bloomfield Trail features a 7 mile trail that connects West Bloomfield to Orchard Lake, Sylvan Lake and Keego Harbor together for a challenging and scenic bike ride. West Bloomfield Trail is open every day from 8 a.m. until sundown. The trail is free to the public as a part of the ITC Walk West Bloomfield program.

Related: Best Metro Detroit Bike Rides

Adrienne Warber is a Freelance Writer with more than 15 years of professional writing experience. After earning a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English from the University of Michigan, Adrienne worked in marketing, where she specialized in communications writing. She is now a full-time freelance writer and writes on many topics, ranging from arts and events to crafts and health. Her work has appeared both in print and online. Her work can be found at Examiner.com and adriennewarber.com.