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Biking the Kal-Haven Trail
While vacationing in Michigan recently, I rented a bike and checked out the Kal-Haven Trail, a 33.5-mile multi-use trail that runs from South Haven to Kalamazoo.
Awesome!
The bike rental cost $14; entry fee to the trail was $3, which I slipped into a drop box at the trailhead in South Haven.
The route, part of the Rails-to-Trails program that converts old railroad tracks to hike-and-bike (and cross country ski and snow mobile) trails, stretched out long and straight from the quaint little resort town on Lake Michigan where my mom lives.
I rolled past the Black River, over a wonderful covered bridge, past fields of blueberry bushes and into the woods.
I know Texas has trees, but it doesn’t have trees like this, which grow tall and thick and spread their shady arms overhead like a protective umbrella.
I passed a few runners and other cyclists close to town, but the farther away from South Haven I pedaled, the fewer folks I saw. I rode 15 miles out, then turned and came back the same 15.
No hills, no traffic, no stoplights, no cars to deal with — just miles of limestone/slag path, a herd of baby frogs and the occasional swam of mosquitoes.
There’s also a quirky little museum in a train car and a little shop that bakes up fresh cinnamon rolls along the way.
Next time, I’m going all the way to Kalamazoo! Folks at the bike shop told me a shuttle service will pick you up and bring you back to South Haven for $6 a person.
What’s your favorite bike trail? Where is it?
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By Lauren
July 20, 2010 9:55 AM | Link to this
I grew up in NE Ohio and the Ohio & Erie Towpath is still my favorite trail. It connects Cleveland to Akron and beyond. The entire planned length is 190 miles and uses the path created by mules pulling boats through the locks of the Ohio & Erie Canal. A large part of the trail is through the Cuyahoga Valley National Park. There are quite a few artisan towns, farm stores, and parks that are connected by the trail. It’s beautiful!!
By Emily
March 29, 2011 7:09 AM | Link to this
I live in Michigan but didn’t know about the shuttle service. Thanks!