Valley Spur Ski Trail

The Valley Spur Ski Michigan Trail

Trail Distance:

45 kilometers with 11 loops ranging from 1.5 km to 11km long.

Trail Difficulty:

Skiing: Novice to Advanced

Hiking: Moderate

Mountain Biking: Novice to Advanced

courtesy of www.algercounty.com

Valley Spur Mountain Bike Route

A range of bicycling opportunities for beginners to experts are offered along the Valley Spur Mountain Bike Route, located six miles southwest of Munising.

Four separate loops take advantage of both cross country ski pathways and low traffic woods roads to provide a total of 26 miles of marked bicycle routes. The woods roads are shared with other vehicles, though traffic levels are low, ride with the expectation that you might meet other vehicles.

The majority of the 26 miles pass through northern hardwoods forest. However, the routes take the cyclists past meadows, hemlock groves, 40 inch diameter white pine, red pine areas, and several small lakes. The main trailhead is located just off M-94 at the Valley Spur Day Lodge. Facilities include a parking area, trailhead map and small parking lot (5-7 vehicles). This trailhead provides access to the flat sections of the bicycle routes, particularly the easiest route, Loop 4.

The routes are open daily during daylight hours from May to November. There is no trail fee.

Summary

Valley Spur Mountain Bike Route - total of 26 miles.

The trailhead at Valley Spur Day Lodge is six miles from Munising on M-94-west.

• Trail 1 an easy steady half mile uphill near trailhead.
• Trail 2 is most difficult with steep uphills and downhills.
• Trail 3 is easy to moderate with one steep uphill.
• Trail 4 is an easy short loop perfect for a ride with children.

Nearby camping facilities include Bay Furnace Campground and Hovey Lake Dispersed Campsites.

The Trail Loops

Each loop has been marked with a brown trail marker with a white bicycle symbol on it. The average distance between markers is one quarter mile. Routes are also numbered. Route numbers (three inch numbers on blue diamonds) are posted at each intersection. For example, to follow route 2 starting at the parking area, look for a blue diamond with the number 2. Ride in that direction looking for white bicycle symbols. At each intersection look for a diamond with the number 2. Intersections of routes also have location maps.

Trail 1 (12 miles) Gentle, flat terrain with a steady 1/2 mile long uphill climb near the beginning. The trail is very easy after the uphill section. Most of this trail is along woods roads where cyclists may choose to ride side-by-side. Take a short side trip to Truman Lake off FR-2266 (see map).

Trail 2 (4 miles) This loop is the most challenging route and was designed for experts. There are very steep up-and-downhills on the back half of this route.

Trail 3 (7.5 miles) This route has generally flat terrain with the exception of one steep uphill climb just past the point where Trails 2 and 3 split. Most cyclists will need to walk up this hill. The last 1/2 mile of this trail is all downhill, so use caution in this section.

Trail 4 (3 miles) This route features flat terrain and a relatively short distance. This is a perfect route for a ride with the kids. The access to this route is from the second trail head on FR-2264.

Information courtesy of USDA Forest Service.

Download Valley Spur Ski Michigan Trail Map

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