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.

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.

MOUNTAIN BIKE RENTALS & GUIDED TOURS

 

 

Copper Harbor in the Keweenaw Peninsula.

Keweenaw Adventure Company in Copper Harbor has just what you need for a fun time in this outstanding area of the Keweenaw Peninsula. We offer Sea Kayak, Canoe, and Mountain Bike Rentals, Outfitting, Guided Biking, Hiking, and Kayak Tours, and Shuttle Service. Copper Harbor has a world class mountain bike trail system as well as the exciting waters of Lake Superior for sea kayaking, including trips to Isle Royale. Keweenaw Adventure Company, 155 Gratiot Street (U.S. 41), Copper Harbor, MI. 49918. Phone: 906-289-4303

 

Florence, Wisconsin by Iron Mountain and Crystal Falls. Michigan

Wild Rivers Adventure Company in Florence, Wisconsin, just 15 miles west of Iron Mountain, Michigan, rents Hurricane Kayaks and Trek Mountain bikes for enjoying the back roads, trails, lakes, and rivers in northeastern Wisconsin with delivery available. Half day to weekly rentals. Car carriers available. Located on Highway US-2 in downtown Florence. Open Friday through Monday from 10 am to 5 pm. Call for weekday rentals. 209 Central Avenue, Florence, WI 54121 Phone: 715-952-8027

June 16: Keweenaw Chain Drive, Hancock, MI Phone: 888-766-0325. Race begins at 10 am Saturday at the Franklin Square Inn

June: 23: Annual "Tour da Lake" Bike Ride. Phone: 906-932-3332. A 38 mile ride around Lake Gogebic

June 24, 25, 26: 8th Annual Superior Bike Fest Marquette, MI. A range of cycling competition for all ages and skill levels Phone: 1.888.578.6489. * * Sorry, this race has been cancelled.

June 24: Annual Menominee River Century Ride Phone: 800-234-6681

June 29, 30, & July 1: Marquette Bike Jam. Fun for all. Phone: 906-228-7749

July 21: Annual North Country 100 Bike Tour Wakefield, MI begins at Sunday Lake for a ride through the Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park. 3 routes. Phone the Wakefield Chamber of Commerce at: 906-224-2222

August 5-9: Tour da UP Bike Tour, Watersmeet, MI to the Porcupine Mountains State Park and back. One day at the Porkies. Visit to Ontonagon, Presque Isle Falls and Lake Gogebic State Park. Return to Watersmeet. Sponsored by Teaching Family Homes. Phone: 906-249-5437

August 5: Tour da UP Light Bike Tour. One day tour from Marquette to Munising with return transportation provided. Phone: 906-249-5437

August 11th: Ore to Shore Mountain Bike Epic. Marquette. Phone: 866-370-RACE

August 18: The Great Deer Chase Held at Swedetown Recreation Area on newly developed bike trails. Starts and finishes in downtown Calumet at the Calumet Colosseum. Distances are 15 & 25 Mile (new course) 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 18: Tour de Dickinson, Iron Mountain, Michigan. 6 routes from 5.5 miles to 64 miles. Phone: 906-776-5790

September 2: Bell's Beer Copper Harbor Trails Festival: (formerly the Annual Copper Harbor Fat 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 8: Tour da Woods Bike Ride in Munising. Phone: 906-387-2138

September 16th: 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.

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 (Map) 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

Private mountain biking trails for guests to use at Lost Lake Lodge in Republic, MI.

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

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.

Links

Michigan Mountain Biking Association.

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