Great Lake-to-Lake Trail

Enjoy summertime in Michigan from the seat of a bicycle. The new Great Lake-to-Lake Trail links Lake Huron and Lake Michigan on a cross-state journey beneath canopies of hardwoods, alongside inland lakes and streams and through charming small towns. The 275-mile linear trail stretches between South Haven and Port Huron as it passes by forests, apple orchards and waterways that serve as habitats for birds and waterfowl.

The Great Lake-to-Lake Trail ranks as Michigan’s longest destination trail and is the first in a series of multi-use trails expected to crisscross Michigan over the course of the next decade. Eventually, trail organizers plan to unveil a total of five routes, each of them joining one Great Lake with another. Still to come are routes linking Lake Huron and Lake Michigan between Muskegon and Bay City, and between Alpena and Charlevoix; and routes connecting Lake Michigan and Lake Superior between Manistique and Marquette, and between Escanaba and Ontonagon near the Porcupine Mountains.

Comprised largely of abandoned rail beds, the inaugural Great Lake-to-Lake Trail promises a reasonably flat ride. Day-tripping bicyclists, hikers and cross-country skiers can access the pathway at one of 26 official trailheads. Thirty-four trail communities, including Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, Jackson and Brighton, and 23 campgrounds lie along the route.  

For more information, visit greatlaketolaketrails.org