Nature on two wheels

Experience nature on two wheels

BY DAVID YARNELL VENTURE STAFF WRITER

If mountain biking is your thing, then the Benzie, Manistee and Mason county area is the place to be.

Ken Blakey-Shell, a volunteer on and user of area trails, weighed in on his favorites.

“In my opinion, the best trails are the Arcadia Dry Hill at Arcadia Dunes, Crystal Mountain/Betsie River Pathway, Big M, the North Country Trail and the Ludington Urban Singletrack,” he said. “Arcadia is a favorite for most riders. It is flowy, fun and accessible to most all rider levels.

“Big M is special because there are so many options in a fairly compact area. That said, the trails are a bit more old school (hand built, erosion has exposed roots, bumps and sand) and many of the trails are pretty hilly.

“The North Country Trail is amazing due to how much geographic area you can cover. The best section is on the north end between Dilling and Beers roads, but it is very hilly and challenging.”

Blakey-Shell also had praise for the Ludington Urban Singletrack.

“It has more than enough miles of trail to make it destination-worthy and since you are right in town it is great to be able to easily get a post ride beverage or food. The trails are not especially challenging but are still fun and flowy.

“In the winter Big M is definitely the crowned jewel for fat biking,” he continued. “The Ludington School Forest (one section of the Urban Singletrack system) is also groomed and fun. Crystal Mountain does a great job grooming their fat bike trails too.”

The Big M Cross Country Ski and Mountain Biking Area is one of Michigan’s most beautifully-forested areas, in the heart of the Manistee National Forest. There are over 40 miles of mountain bike trails, with varieties of difficulty from novice to expert.

The Big M is located in the Manistee National Forest 14 miles east of Manistee on M-55 then four miles south on Udell Hills Road. More information is available at skibigm. org.

The Manistee Non-Motorized Trails Park is also on M-55, only a few miles east of Manistee. Like the Big M, it also offers cross country skiing in the winter and mountain bike trails in the summer.

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Fat bike riding in the fall can provide some beautiful views during the peak color season.