next »

[Location]

Location

Boyne Falls, MI (about 6.5 hrs. NE of Chicago)

Trail Review

Home of the Michigan State Championships, this 10-mile trail system is mostly singletrack, with some wider gravel roads thrown in. The more diversified elevations of this northern Lower Penninsula region make the trails more challenging than many further south — definitely more so than anything near Chicago — and keeps erosion problems very low.

The steep climbs, switchbacks, jumps and other features make for a good technical ride for skilled mountain bikers. Hit "Idoit's Delight", a black diamond trail, if you want a fast run. "No Mercy" offers a great decent.

You won't really need a map (not all the good trails are mapped anyway) as everything loops back to the ski hills's base. But riding the ski slopes will get the wrong kind of attention from Boyne staff and the cops. The lower levels are sandier and will disappoint better riders.

 
Getting There

I-94 to Michigan. At exit #34, take US-131 north towards Grand Rapids. Take US-131 north at exit #77A towards Cadillac. About 1.5 hours later, turn right on M-42 for 10 minutes. Then turn left onto M-66 for a half-hour. Taka a left on M-72 for a few miles, then pick up US-131 north to Boyne Falls.

The trails are a few miles south of Boyne Falls and are part of the Boyne Mountain resort area, off of Route 131. Signs are everwhere, just follow the ones to the tennis center.


More Info

This a long drive from Chicago, but the heavily wooded region has lots of scenic interest, as well as opportunities for other outdoor recreation. You're deep in the evergreen forests, and near a number of popular tourist destinations, such as Traverse City.