Biking & Trails

Cadillac area bike routes are available on the Cadillac Cycling Club Website.

Mountain Biking, Hiking, Jogging Info

Cadillac Pathway
Two Trailheads, 13th St. and at Boon Rd., Ten miles of single track with a few tough hills.
Cadillac DNR (231) 775-9727

The Cadillac Pathway is a 60 mile multi terrain, multi season mountain bike summer trail,  that transitions into a groomed classic cross country ski trail system in the winter.  It’s located on Boon Road, just off US-131.  Maintained by local volunteers in cooperation with the MDNR

MacKenzie Trail
The entrance is located on 38 Mile Road, 1 mile west of Caberfae.

A 25 mile multi terrain, multi season hiking, biking, summer trail, that also transitions into a groomed classic cross country ski trail system in the winter.   It’s located at the foothills of Caberfae Peaks,and meanders into the National Forest.    Maintained by local volunteers in cooperation with the National Forest Service.

North Country Trail
Near Udell Hills in Wellston and Beers Rd. in Marilla, 26 miles of gorgeous challenging single track.
U.S. Forest Service
(231) 775-8539

The North Country Trail & The Big M

are both located between Cadillac and Manistee within the National Forest System offering extreme to intermediate mountain biking experiences on your own or in one of many races offered throughout the year.  The North Country Trail is near Udell Hills in Wellston and Beers Road in Marilla, 26 miles of gorgeous challenging single track.  Maintained by the National Forest

White Pine Trail
Cadillac to Grand Rapids
90 mile multi-use trail

Cool Cross Country Ski Area 40 km of trails on rolling hills just south of Cadillac.
(231) 768-4624

Manistee River Trail Seaton Creek Campground runs along the east side of the Manistee River before connecting to the North Country Trail.

Keith McKellop Walkway
 Along the East Shoreline of Lake Cadillac - Walking, jogging, strolling and inline skating.

Mountain Biking and Hiking Trails

The information for the Cadillac Pathway, Mackenzie Trail and North Country Trail provided by Doug Nelson. The Cadillac area offers some of the finest and most accessible trails for mountain biking in Michigan. These trails are also used for hiking.

The DNR's Cadillac Pathway has become the favorite trail for local cyclists. There are ten miles of rolling single track with few tough hills and no extremely technical sections. This path has two trailheads, one near the vocational school on 13th Street and another off Boon Road east of Cadillac near the Clam River. Pat McMonagle, author of the recently published book Michigan Mountain Biking calls the Cadillac Pathway "a favorite of mine" and raves about a "thrilling ride with consistently rolling hills". This is a trail that can be ridden by all levels of riders, from novice to expert.

The Heritage Nature Trail begins either behind the Carl T. Johnson Hunting & Fishing Center on M-115, or at the west end of Kenwood Heritage Park. The trail is groomed and hikers shouldn’t be surprised if deer, wild turkeys or other animals are seen along the route. The trail covers 2-3 miles.

The MacKenzie Trail, near Caberfae Peaks Ski and Golf Resort, is also featured in McMonagle's book. He refers to the varied terrain as a "fantastic trail system for a family outing". The trailhead is located just west of Caberfae, down 38 Road about three quarters of a mile. The trail is a system of many loops, both single and double track and is maintained by the Manistee National Forest. It is rated "easy" and is a good place to get started riding off-road.

Advanced and expert riders have access to some of the very best mountain biking in all the midwest on the four stretches of the North Country Trail. The trail is located in the Manistee National Forest between the Udell Hills area near Wellston and Beers Road near Marilla. Nearly 26 miles of gorgeous, challenging single track, McMonagle calls one of these stretches "one of the primo rides in the state for advanced riders". Mountain bikers should be aware of the delicate situation on this trail. There are some organizations that would like to see these sections closed to mountain bikers. The Forest Service has been cooperative and keeps the trail open to bikers, but only responsible riding and participation in the trail maintenance days will ensure it will stay open to them. For more information on the North Country Trail, contact the Cadillac Ranger District office at (231) 775-2421

The White Pine Trail is the Longest rail-to-trail Linear State Park in Michigan, stretching 92 miles from Comstock Park ( near Grand Rapids) to Cadillac. It crosses 14 open deck bridges along its five county span, the longest being 319 feet across the Muskegon River north of Big Rapids. Cadillac is located at the northern boundary of the White Pine Trail. A well marked staging area is accessed from M-115 between US 131 and Lake Cadillac.

If you would like more information on mountain biking in Cadillac, you may call: Doug Nelson at (231) 775-0154 or Jerry Nilsson at (231) 775-1959. They can answer questions about trail conditions and directions.