Ten favorite West Michigan trails to explore this fall

The days are getting shorter, but don’t resign yourself to settling in for a long, lazy season inside. One of West Michigan’s greatest assets is the natural beauty that surrounds the area, with amenities that you won’t even find in many big cities. From small pocket parks to epic-sized Lake Michigan, you’re never far away from a wooded trail, a mountain bike path, or a gorgeous beach. As summer turns to fall, Rapid Growth rounded up ten of West Michigan’s best hikes, with hidden urban hiking trails mixed in with cross-country paths that lead to the great lake even in the snowiest of months.

Savvy West Michiganders already know about the bounty of outdoor experiences at Blandford Nature Center, Provin Trails, Meijer Gardens, and the Calvin College Ecosystem Preserve around the Rapid City’s edges, plus favorites like Riverside Park and Huff Park right in the city.

Looking for a hike that’s a little outside city limits, and maybe a little more rugged? Head out of town just a bit to hit the dirt and find some solitude. In addition to Pickerel Lake Park near Cannonsburg and Roselle Park, making your way just a few miles outside of downtown Grand Rapids gets you out of the city and into a more natural environment.

Everyone knows Lake Michigan is the place to be on a sunny summer day. But don’t discount heading to the water during the cooler months. Several West Michigan trails within an hour’s drive of Grand Rapids merit a day trip during the fall to take in the color or an outing in the winter on snowshoes or cross-country skis.

Get the list…

 

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