Hike & Bike Through the Scenic Trails of Metro D

There’s nothing quite like fall in Michigan. It’s a beautiful time of year—the air is crisp and cool, yet it’s still warm enough to spend time outside.

What better way to spend an afternoon than by hiking or biking along one of metro Detroit’s most beautiful trails? You’ll get some great exercise while enjoying the outdoors and taking in one of Michigan’s most beautiful scenes—the changing leaves!

Before you lace up your shoes and grab your water bottle, peruse the following list of local hiking and biking trails to find the location that’s best suited for you. Take note, each location features both!

Bald Mountain State Recreation Area, Oakland Charter Township

• North Unit has an eight mile trail; South Unit has a seven mile trail
• Features some of the steepest and rockiest terrain around, so this one might not be the best choice for beginners!

Hudson Mills Metropark, Dexter

• 5.3 mile trail that winds along the river
• Also features flat Acorn Nature Trail and wooded areas for hiking

Indian Springs Metropark, White Lake

• Features an eight mile trail for biking
• Woodland Trail, Farmland Trail and Pondside Trail for hiking provide a glimpse of swamps, fields and marshes, respectively

Island Lake State Recreation Area, Brighton

• Features a 19 mile trail, including four miles of pavement for biking
• Hikers can meander along the East Loop and/or West Loop, with sights like woodlands, fields and wetlands

Kensington Metropark, Milford

• Features an 8.5 mile biking trail with hills and inclines
• While the bike trail can also be used for hiking, there’s a separate seven mile hiking trail that goes through fields and wetlands

Lake St. Clair Metropark, Harrison Township

• Three miles worth of hiking/biking trails give you a great view of Lake St. Clair
• The Main Trail, Meadow Loop Trail and Marsh Road Side Trail all provide flat terrain for hiking

Lakelands Trail State Park, Pinckney

• Features a 13 mile trail that runs from Stockbridge to Pinckney
• While most of the trail is gravel, six miles of it is paved for bikers

Lower Huron Metropark, Belleville

• Includes 4.1 miles of paved trails along the Huron River
• While hikers can walk along the paved trail, there is also a footpath along the wooded area of the Huron River

Macomb Orchard Trail, Shelby Township

• 24 mile park that spans from Shelby Township to Richmond
• The path is paved and flat, perfect for both hiking and biking with ease

Maybury State Park, Northville

• Features a six mile hiking trail, five mile off-road mountain biking trail and four mile paved biking trail
• Whether you choose to walk or ride, the wooded area has beautiful fall foliage

Oakwoods Metropark, Belleville

• Includes a three mile paved biking trail and five miles of hiking trails
• The hiking trails wind through a butterfly garden, pond, woods and other scenic areas

Paint Creek Trail, Oakland County

• The eight mile trail winds from Rochester to the Village of Lake Orion
• Bring along your camera to capture great views of woodlands and marshlands

Pontiac Lake Recreation Area, Waterford Township

• Includes a 1.9 mile hiking trail and 11 miles of bike trails
• Scenic views include farm fields, forests and more

Proud Lake Recreation Area, Commerce Township

• Features over eight miles of biking trails and six miles of hiking trails
• Both offer beautiful views of the Huron River

Seven Lakes State Park, Holly

• Includes Dickinson Trail, Green Trail Loop, Nature Trail Loop and Red Trail Loop
• Over 230 acres of water for a scenic walk or ride

Stony Creek Metropark, Shelby Township

• Over six miles of paved biking trail and 14 miles of dirt trail
• 27 plus miles of hiking terrain, both hilly and flat

Willow Metropark, New Boston

• Flat, 4.5 mile paved path for biking and hiking
• Trail winds along Washago Pond and a wooded area

Keep in mind, a few of these might require a daily vehicle pass for parking, so make sure to check before you leave home. Otherwise, enjoy your beautiful, nature-filled day out!