North Western State Trail
North Western State Trail
4.5
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
4.5
20 reviews
Excellent
13
Very good
7
Average
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Michael O
Chicago, IL13 contributions
Aug 2024 • Solo
For the first time today, I rode the Mackinac city to Petoskey Northwest State Trail. It was a nice experience and I’m very thankful that people have had the vision to bring this about.
I usually ride an asphalt or sometimes at mountain bike trails that’s dirt. The gravel was usually hard packed and not problematic at all. Enjoy the sandwich and a beer at the Petoskey brewing Company at the end of the trail. The signage was quite clear. I enjoyed that there were not a lot of intersections with major roads. Plan on riding this next summer with some grandchildren.
I usually ride an asphalt or sometimes at mountain bike trails that’s dirt. The gravel was usually hard packed and not problematic at all. Enjoy the sandwich and a beer at the Petoskey brewing Company at the end of the trail. The signage was quite clear. I enjoyed that there were not a lot of intersections with major roads. Plan on riding this next summer with some grandchildren.
Written August 4, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kate S
Dc55 contributions
Jun 2020
Flat trail with few intersections, mix of shade and sun. Beware of some soft spots on the crushed limestone along with chipmunk dens that form holes in the trail. Well maintained and sparsely utilized.
Written June 8, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bill c
Farmington, MI51 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
We rode the entirety of the trail from Spring Lake to Mackinaw City and back. It is asphalt from Spring Lake to Alanson, crushed limestone until Mackinaw City. I have found surfaces described as “crushed limestone” to range from coarse, gray dust to pea gravel; think of this trail surface as a 75/25 mix of lentils and peas. For most of the non-paved section, the crushed limestone is applied as an ideally thin layer, although it is a little thicker in Alanson and Pellston. Nothing to whine about, but traction is diminished and you’ll pedal just a little bit harder in those areas (until traffic and winter compact the surface). I used 700 x 42 mm tires, my riding companion used 700 x 38 tires. That size range seemed just about right for the non-paved areas.
The trail is very close to completely flat and grades are barely perceptible. As of October 2016, the trail is very well-groomed for its entirety.
You’ll get views of some nice lakes and ponds at the southern end of the trail. Portions to the north are almost completely tree-lined, even though you are just off the highway. Trail facilities (water, restrooms) are non-existent, but the trail is so close to the highway that there is no problem.
Very nice scenery overall. I recommend this trip.
The trail is very close to completely flat and grades are barely perceptible. As of October 2016, the trail is very well-groomed for its entirety.
You’ll get views of some nice lakes and ponds at the southern end of the trail. Portions to the north are almost completely tree-lined, even though you are just off the highway. Trail facilities (water, restrooms) are non-existent, but the trail is so close to the highway that there is no problem.
Very nice scenery overall. I recommend this trip.
Written October 6, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sue S
Traverse City, MI611 contributions
Aug 2016 • Couples
Just rode this trail yesterday the 15 miles RT from Petoskey to Alanson. It connects nicely to the Wheelway in Petoskey at the Spring Lake Park with lots of shaded parking, modern restrooms and a bike repair kiosk. Petoskey State Park and downtown Petoskey are nearby. The trail is all asphalt and is flat all the way. There is a cute lending library just outside Petoskey before you get to the lake viewing area. See the attached photo. It goes right by the Oden Fish Hatchery where you can purchase food for 25 cents to feed the trout. There are restrooms and a little gift shop. The tour is great as well. The only thing I did not like was the closeness to 31 just before you get to Alanson. It was pretty noisy and not as scenic as other parts of the trail. Definitely worth a ride.
Written August 9, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Larry W
Petoskey, MI94 contributions
Sep 2015 • Solo
This trail connects to Petoskey's Wheelway and beyond. It will soon be extended north of Alanson to Mackinaw City. There are NUMEROUS geocaches along the trail.
Written September 1, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jennifer L
Oxford, MI18 contributions
Sep 2018 • Couples
My husband and I have been on the Petoskey to Alanson portion of the trail - about 10 miles - paved and a nice ride. This year we rode from Alanson to Carp Lake (we had dogs in daycare so our time was limited) a total of 18 miles one way. We ate lunch at the Harbor Lights Grille on Paradise Lake and rode back. The path was paved through Pellston and loose (sifted limestone as the site says). We were tired after our 36 mile rounder but it was a good ride. Recommend Harbor Lights Grille for an ice cream stop or lunch. Nice trail - enjoying what Michigan is providing for bicylists - great state for riding. I am a Pure Michigander - all the way! This was fun - our first time north of Alanson - well worth the ride! Great experience!
Written September 13, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen T
Winston Salem, NC20 contributions
Aug 2018 • Couples
Kudos to the maintainers of the Petoskey to Mackinaw City Trail. I rode its entirety both ways on my gravel bike today and found it to be well groomed. Like most relatively lightly traveled trails it takes a bit of effort to 'find the line' but there was a great line to find over all 30 miles doing so is well worth it if you don't like to ride on the road with cars.
Written August 18, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lucillebrwn
Munroe Falls, OH40 contributions
Jul 2018 • Couples
We rode from Spring Lake Park to a little way past Alanston which was completely paved. Stopped and turned around due to rough gravel surface. Reading other reviews, maybe we should have continued to reach the gravel that was more compacted. Still enjoyed the trail ‘
Written July 22, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dean C
White Lake, MI135 contributions
Sep 2017 • Couples
I have ridden all of the other rail trails in northern MI. except this one. My wife and I wanted to ride from Petoskey to Levering, approx. 40 mile round trip. We were on mountain bikes as we knew the trail turns to stone at Alanson. The paved part out of Petoskey is beautiful. Both the views and the pavement. Lots to see and places to stop. After Alanson the trail surface is like nothing I have seen before. The trail is very hard packed and smooth. But there is a coating of approx 1 inch of loose limestone on top of the hard surface. I have ridden stone rail trails all over the state and have never seen loose stone before. I do not want to sound like I'm knocking the trail. It is meticulously maintained. Also beautiful. We did notice that there was a lot of bike traffic until we were north of Alanson and we did not pass another bike for 18 miles as we got back to the pavement. We turned around in Pellston for a 32 mile round trip.
Written September 5, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Paultrup
Lake Orion, MI166 contributions
Jul 2017 • Solo
The trail system is amazing. you can walk bike skate board. It's a community trail with wonderful wildlife. You pass by round lake. This is the trail locals use when the main trail around the bay is busy.
Written July 19, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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