Ludington Winter Is Not Complete Without Fat Tire Biking

Ludington has long been a destination for cyclists who enjoy exploring the outdoors. The area boasts picturesque shoreline routes with sand dune panoramas, scenic wooded trails winding throughout the surrounding Manistee National Forest and miles of idyllic rural country roads. With the rising popularity of year-round fat tire biking, gravel road riding and bikepacking, new adventures are opening up that are only limited by your imagination.

Scenic Road Routes

 A visit to Ludington is not complete without a cruise along M-116 to the Ludington State Park. It is one of the most scenic roads in the entire Midwest. On one side of the road are continuous sand dunes, and, on the other side, Lake Michigan spans the horizon. Another shoreline route runs along South Lakeshore Drive to Bass Lake and Pentwater. A highlight of this route is crossing the bridge that spans the Ludington Pumped Storage Power Plant, a hydroelectric plant and reservoir built on Lake Michigan. For a more ambitious tour, chart a course on the way back through the orchards and rolling hills south of Ludington. Riders will be awestruck by the scale of the 56 wind turbines comprising Lakewinds Energy Park.

Another fun destination for road biking is the lake district around the villages of Fountain and Freesoil in eastern Mason County. Enjoy the sights and sounds of rural country roads on your way to this popular resort area. Note that there is a mixture of gravel and paved roads in this area so chart your route before you leave.

Four Season Mountain Biking

A recent addition to Ludington’s cycling scene is the development of an Urban Single Track trail system encompassing Cartier Park and the Ludington School Forest. Both trail systems are located within the city limits less than two miles apart and include a total of 10 miles of dedicated single-track for biking with potential for additional trail linking the systems in the future. These trails were built as “Gateway Trails”, designed to create a fun, widely accessible introduction to mountain biking. The trails are intentionally unintimidating for new and novice riders yet they are designed in a way that even the most experienced mountain biker will find fun and enjoyable.

Fat tire mountain bikes allow riders to float through conditions that would be impossible with a conventional tire. This trend toward wider tires creates a new and exhilarating way to take in Michigan’s winter wonderland. Several trail systems in the area are starting to groom trails for winter riding. There is also a vast network of snowmobile trails and forest service roads north of Hamlin Lake and throughout the Manistee National Forest to explore. Winter beach riding can also be a thrill. The Lake Michigan beach along M116 to Big Sable Point Lighthouse is open to bikes from November through April. When the snow melts, fat bikes are just as fun on traditional trails.

Fun Paths for Kids

• The Cartier Park Pathway -  Located on Lincoln Lake in Ludington is an easily accessible, paved one-mile loop with minimal elevation. It is a great cycling destination for families with young children. Here kids can also explore fun mountain bike trails built recently as part of Ludington’s new Urban Single Track trail system.
• Ludington State Park - There are paved paths and roads running throughout the park and along the Big Sauble River between the Lake Michigan Beach area and the Hamlin Dam and Beach area. There is also a 1.5 mile gravel road for the adventurous that will lead you to the Big Sable Lighthouse.
• Lake Michigan Recreation Area - Located in northern Mason County this is another fun adventerous ride for families. Kids will love exploring the wooded paths throughout this park. The nearly 3+ mile graveled single-track loop that encircles the campground and picnic area has minimal elevation and is a fun challenge for kids ready for a great “distance” ride.

Noteworthy Bike Trail Systems Nearby

• Big M Trail System — A mountain bike trail system with 40 miles of single-track. Home to the Lumberjack 100 National Ultra Endurance Series Race and the Big M XC Mountain Bike Challenge.
• Hart-Montague Trail — A recently reconstructed 22-mile paved rail trail connecting the communities of Hart and Montague.
• Pentwater Pathways — A 7-mile mountain bike trail system consisting of four loops with beginner to advanced trails.
• Arcadia Dunes Mountain Bike Trails — A fun 15-mile trail system with great flow. Home to the Arcadia Grit & Gravel Mountain Bike Race