Singletrack State

Michigan is a north–south ribbon of singletrack, with trail systems strung from Detroit’s exurbs to Keweenaw’s cliffs.

Start in Southeast Michigan, where two classics sit close together: the Potawatomi Trail in Pinckney Recreation Area—a 17-mile natural loop of roots, short climbs, and lake views—and the DTE Energy Foundation Trail near Chelsea in Waterloo Rec Area. DTE’s machine-built segments (like Big Kame and Winn) stack berms and rollers that are friendly to newer riders yet fast enough for experts; aim for weekdays to skip the crowds. Nearby, Brighton Recreation Area stitches together Torn Shirt, Murray Lake, and more for roughly 18 miles of punchy, rolling singletrack. East of there, Stony Creek Metropark’s refreshed Shelden Trails add flow to a metro-area staple, and Oakland County’s Addison Oaks offers well-drained trails that are one of the best kept secrets in Southeast Michigan.

Head west and the terrain turns from suburban woods to glacial hills. Around Grand Rapids, pair Merrell Trail (north of the city) with Luton Park (Rockford) for a full day; a few minutes east, Cannonsburg Ski Area (Belmont) offers summer singletrack with short climbs and playful features. South along I-94, Yankee Springs Recreation Area (Middleville) delivers rugged, old-school singletrack through mixed pine tree forest areas, while Fort Custer (Augusta) mixes fast, flowy sections with lake-edge scenery across color-coded loops.

A little farther north, Midland’s City Forest sprawls with beginner-to-intermediate loops—perfect for families developing skills. Keep heading north and the miles open up: Big M, in the Manistee National Forest near Wellston, winds through hardwoods and sandy ridges with stout climbs and fast descents. Farther still on Little Traverse Bay, Boyne Highlands (Harbor Springs) offers lift-served laps in summer and the option to grind uphill for XC-style runs.

Cross the bridge for the state’s marquee rides. In Marquette, the Noquemanon Trail Network climbs rock and hardwoods right from town, while to the west, RAMBA’s (Range Area Mountain Bike Association) Ishpeming/Negaunee trails are steeper and rowdier—tackle the RAMBA Epic if you want a true test. Push on to Copper Harbor in the Keweenaw for one of the top trail systems in the world, with cliff-edge Lake Superior views, and a signature blend of granite and flow. Pack a map or GPS, layer for lake weather, and leave a little in your legs—there’s always one more perfect mile around the next bend.

PHOTO: FA copper mountain biking (ID 33089691© PICTUREMAKERSLLC| DREAMSTIME.COM)