Great Lake to Lake Trail Route 1
The Great Lake to Lake Trail Route 1 is a 275-mile trail route connecting South Haven on the west side of Michigan to Port Huron on the east side, forming a route between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron for cyclists and hikers. The route incorporates several preexisting rail trails and, although 78 percent complete, some on-road gaps are present.[1]
History
[edit]Originally known as the Airline Trail, the route was discussed in a master plan proposed by the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance in 2007.[2] As of 2011, the Michigan Department of Transportation and Michigan Department of Natural Resources were collaborating on planning a trail route between South Haven and Port Huron.[3] The Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, a trail advocacy organization composed of nonprofit groups, governments, and businesses, also collaborated. Together, they designated five routes in different areas of the state, Route 1 being the southernmost.[1]
By 2019, wayfinding signage and trailside kiosks had been installed, and in September of 2019 the trail officially opened with an inaugural bike ride.[1]
As of 2025, efforts to close gaps in the trail continued, supported by funding from grants and philanthropic contributions.[4]
Historic railroad corridors
[edit]The Kal-Haven Trail in West Michigan is included in the route. It follows the rail bed of the former Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad, later known as the Penn Central Railroad,[5] which was abandoned in 1973.[6] Between Jackson and Port Huron, the route follows the path of the Michigan Air Line Railway.[1]
Route
[edit]The trail incorporates several independent trail segments that retain their names and are funded and maintained separately. The segments of the trail include:[7][8]
- Kal-Haven Trail
- Kalamazoo River Valley Trail
- Battle Creek Linear Park
- Marshall Riverwalk
- Albion River Trail
- Falling Waters Trail
- Lakelands Trail State Park
- Huron Valley Trail
- Michigan Air Line Trail
- West Bloomfield Trail
- Clinton River Trail
- Macomb Orchard Trail
- Port Huron Bridge to Bay Trail
References
[edit]- 1 2 3 4 Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance. "Great Lake to Lake Trails". Retrieved July 13, 2025.
- ↑ "Connecting Michigan: A Statewide Vision and Action Plan" (PDF). Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance. May 2007. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2017-04-09.
- ↑ Burkert, Becky (June 26, 2011). "Bike trail expansions coming soon". The Herald-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Mich.). p. B1.
- ↑ Kukulka, Mitchell (February 20, 2025). "Trail extension to fill gap connecting Michigan's coasts". Jackson Citizen-Patriot (Jackson, Mich.). p. A9.
- ↑ Michigan State University Institute for Water Research. "Kal-Haven Trail: Building the Railroad". Retrieved July 14, 2025.
- ↑ "Kal-Haven unique 38-mile trail state park". The Herald-Palladium (Benton Harbor, Mich.). October 7, 1975. p. 18.
- ↑ Michigan Trails Magazine. "Great Lake to Lake Trail - Route 1". Retrieved July 13, 2025.
- ↑ Ridewithgps.com. "Great Lake-to-Lake Trails Route #1". Retrieved July 13, 2025.
