Our Trails
Nick November 5th, 2007
Addison Oaks – Leonard, MI
Description: A scenic 794-acre park in northeast Oakland County with two lakes, spring fed ponds, and a wide variety of wooded terrain. The bike trails are substantially updated year after year.
Directions: North on Rochester Road from Rochester, then west on Romeo Road, about two miles to the park entrance, which is on the right.
Bald Mountain Recreation Area – Lake Orion, MI
Description: There are two nice-and-narrow trails. The upper is probably best with hills, slopes, and several overlooks. Both routes get muddy and stay muddy until summer. The upper trail is over 7 miles and the lower trail is about 5 miles.
Bald Mountain Recreation Area has eight miles of trails in the north unit and seven miles in the south unit. They are mostly single track trails with great markings for location, they are directional in the north unit. There are a few considerable hills going both up and down throughout. Riders pass many ponds and a few streams while weaving through the rolling terrain. The usual rocks and ruts and ruts are present on all trails
Riding Hints:
In the south unit — One preference is to follow the trail the way it is numbered. It is a loop and to start you go left at the forks following the intersection numbers in increasing order until you get to the outside of the loop. Then the ride back at the end can be pretty fast if you keep pedaling.
In the north unit — These are directional so you have to follow the way the arrows go. A good ride is to start on the white trail and take the sledding hill loop that goes off of the white trail. It is the hilliest. It puts you back on the white trail and you then finish that trail. The orange loop starts where the white trail ends and that one too is up hill most of the first half but you are rewarded for the last half with speed almost all the way back.
Directions: Exit interstate I-75 at exit 81 (Lapeer Rd). Go north on Lapeer Rd for 2.5 miles you will see plenty of signs. Take a right on Greenshield Rd, it is next to Brewski’s restaurant. Go down Greenshield about 1 mile and there is a small parking lot on the left. This is the south unit parking and trail head. If you go past that, the headquarters is on your right. Maps can be obtained from there.
9 miles north of Rochester and 4 miles east of Lake Orion on West Romeo Road. Trailhead parking areas along Greenshield, Stony Creek, Hammon, Miller and Predmore Roads.
Bloomer – Rochester Hills, MI
Description: The Bloomer trails are a crazy mix of technical riding and rail-trails. Unfortunately it’s not well-marked at all, so beginners are advised to be patient and explore or ride with a local. The trail distances vary greatly since there’s no set loop.
This park used to be the DNR Rochester-Utica State Park. Unlike other Rochester Hills parks, Bloomer does not charge a different entrance fee for non-residents. That was a condition of the land transfer from the State.
Directions: Take John R. Road north until it ends above Avon Road.
Orion Oaks – Lake Orion, MI
Description: Mostly two-track trail that dries well after a rain. There is no set route to ride.
Directions: Parking and entrances along Joslyn, Clarkston, and Baldwin roads
Pontiac Lake Recreation Area – Waterford, MI
Description: One of the best known and most used trail in the Detroit metropolitan area due to it’s location (just 11 miles from Pontiac and 38 miles from downtown Detroit) and challenging terrain, Pontiac Lake has been providing an escape from the hustle and bustle of this auto building community for hikers, equestrians, and mountain bikers for years.
You can expect to encounter other trail users due to the mountain biking trails intersecting with the hiking/equestrian trails at Pontiac Lake and it’s important for the future of trail access for all that you slow down and yield to hikers and equestrians. Horses can be skitish around the sudden appearance of a fast moving bicycle and the last thing anyone would want is for harm to come to another person or animal on the trail.
Trail length: 8.5 to 10.5 miles, depending on your route (generally take the left options to ride the longest route).
Please don’t use trails during wet weather or the spring thaw as some parts of the trail a prone to erosion damage.
Biking season: All year (8 a.m. to 10 p.m.). Other activities include bicycling, boating, camping (reservation), canoeing, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, picnicking, swimming, water skiing, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling. Lodging and dining in Pontiac and Waterford Township.
Directions: 11 miles west of the Pontiac Silverdome on M59 (west of Pontiac). Head north on Williams Lake Road. The park entrance is on the left.
Stony Creek Metro Park- Shelby Township, MI
Description: “Hills, gravel, rocks and ruts – heaven to mountain bikers – can be conquered on the mountain bike trails at Stony Creek Metropark. Nearly 14 miles of dirt paths with tight curves and steep hills take you through deep woods and tall pine trees, and along clear streams of the west branch of Stony Creek and hidden ponds. Wildlife, including deer and wild turkeys can be seen along the trails. Open to hikers and cyclists, the trails are used for many competitive events.” — HCMA
Directions: NE of Rochester, north of Utica off Van Dyke Expressway (M53). From M53, take 26 Mile west 1.5 miles to park entrance. Trail starts at West Branch picnic area.