The best cycling routes in Muskegon County

The From Montague to Silver Lake State Park on Montague Trail offers a delightful touring bicycle experience, winding through Michigan's scenic countryside. You'll cruise along a smooth, paved path, passing through charming orchards, farmlands, and shaded woodlands, with especially picturesque views as you approach Silver Lake State Park and White Lake. This moderate 50.8-mile (81.7 km) route, featuring a gentle 1102 feet (336 metres) of elevation gain, is perfect for a relaxing ride that takes approximately 4 hours and 51 minutes.

To plan your visit, start at the Montague trailhead, which provides ample parking, restrooms, and a picnic shelter. The trail is well-maintained and offers amenities along the way, with towns like Montague and Hart providing places to refuel. While enjoyable year-round, consider cycling in spring or summer for blooming landscapes, or in autumn to witness the vibrant fall foliage.

This route holds historical significance as Michigan's first linear state park, built on a former railroad line, and is recognized as a Pure Michigan Trail. Its entirely paved, 10-foot-wide surface ensures a comfortable journey, making it a safe and peaceful option for cyclists of all skill levels looking to explore the region's natural beauty and small-town charm.

The White Lake loop from Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve offers a delightful touring bicycle experience, tracing the shores of White Lake through woodlands and wetlands. You'll pedal along mostly paved paths, enjoying picturesque views of the water and the surrounding natural beauty, particularly on the northern side where sunsets can be quite stunning. The route connects the quaint towns of Montague and Whitehall, providing a pleasant journey through West Michigan's landscape.

This moderate cycling route covers 28.5 miles (45.8 km) with a gentle 374 feet (114 metres) of elevation gain, typically taking around 2 hours and 35 minutes to complete. Parking is conveniently located at the Muskegon Lake Nature Preserve, making it an accessible option for a day trip. It's an ideal choice for casual riders and beginners looking for popular bike trails in White Lake, Michigan, without demanding climbs.

Beyond the scenic lake views, the White Lake Pathway, which forms a significant part of this loop, is notable for its connections to other regional cycling routes. You can link up with the Hart-Montague Trail State Park to the north or the Fred Meijer Berry Junction Trail to the south, extending your adventure. Don't miss the chance to see the world's largest weathervane in Montague, adding a unique landmark to your ride.

Embark on a delightful touring cycling adventure along the White Lake – Stella’s Café, Downtown Hart loop from Montague, primarily traversing the William Field Memorial Hart-Montague Trail. This route offers a serene journey through West Michigan's diverse landscapes, from dense forests to expansive fruit orchards, with the scenery constantly evolving with the seasons. You'll enjoy smooth asphalt pavement and gentle slopes, making it a comfortable ride for cyclists of all skill levels, with Stella's Café in Downtown Hart serving as a charming turnaround point.

To plan your visit, start at the Montague trailhead, which provides easy access to the Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail. You'll find convenient amenities like picnic areas, seasonal restrooms, and water at various points along the trail, ensuring a comfortable ride. The trail is best enjoyed from spring through fall, allowing you to experience wildflowers, lush greenery, or vibrant autumn colors, so consider seasonal conditions when planning your trip.

This 47.7-mile (76.8 km) moderate route, with a modest 650 feet (198 metres) of elevation gain, takes approximately 4 hours and 20 minutes to complete. The Hart-Montague Trail holds historical significance as one of Michigan's first "Rails to Trails" projects, connecting several charming communities and offering glimpses of local wildlife. It's a fantastic option for family-friendly cycling, providing a peaceful and accessible way to explore the region's natural beauty and small-town charm.

The Owasippe Trails loop from Blue Lake Township offers a truly unique cycling experience, though it's important to know this 11.2-mile (18.1 km) route, with 428 feet (131 metres) of elevation gain, is primarily designed for mountain biking despite its "easy" touring cycling rating. You'll navigate rugged singletrack, roots, rocks, and sandy sections, with some challenging climbs and descents. The trail provides stunning natural scenery, winding through oak savannahs and reforested lands, often tracing the picturesque shoreline of Wolverine Lake. Look out for distinctive features like a floating bridge and the intriguing Marl Bed Bog, where the ground subtly shifts beneath your bike.

Planning your trip requires attention to detail. You'll need to purchase a parking permit and complete a land use waiver before hitting the trails. Be mindful of seasonal closures: the trails are inaccessible during the summer Boy Scout season, from the second Saturday in June to the third Saturday in August, and also throughout November for deer hunting. To make the most of your ride, aim for spring or fall, outside of these restricted periods, and ensure you have a suitable off-road bicycle.

This trail system holds significant historical importance, with some paths predating the Owasippe Scout Reservation itself, having been used by Native Americans and early pioneers. The area is a protected natural resource, home to 19 rare or endangered species, highlighting its ecological value. While the 1 hour and 31 minutes estimated duration for this specific loop suggests a quick ride, the technical terrain means you should allocate ample time, especially if you plan to explore the customizable routes available within the larger Owasippe Trails network.