We've got to come back in the Fall because it will be awesome when the trees turn to Fall colors. One just sat in the middle of the trail while I rode by. The trail is canopied by trees most of the ride. 54.4 km access trail or doubletrack gravel path trail. The pit toilet at the Kalamazoo trail head was quite unsanitary and foul smelling. Lots of history there. We started in South Haven and rode to Kendall (about 25 miles from South Haven), where we refueled and turned around and headed back to South Haven. Will always remember my mother walking me down the trail. As it is it is a nice ride with considerable shade. The perch tacos at the Black River Tavern were awesome. ", "This trail, which has apparently had its ups and downs in maintenance, has now been taken over by the county. The highway department or Natural Resources Department needs to do something to avoid that intersection (bike bridge, large flashing light activated by bike riders, something). Its always great to ride with loved ones. The city of Kalamazoo is working diligently on extending the trail to the downtown area. Of all the trials we ride, this one is one of the most easy-going rides. The Fred Meijer trails are in much better condition. I rode from South Haven to Kalamazoo, biked into town for food, and then hit the trail again to return to South Haven. No railroad bridges on this eastern end (18 miles). We ride the Kal Haven usually once per season, sometimes we start in South Haven, this time we started in Kalamazoo. To reach the Kalamazoo trailhead from I-94, take Exit 74B for US 131 N./Bus. And while some have complained about the surface being rutted or pot-holed, now that the MDNR has taken control of maintenance, they've got a person dedicated to maintaining the trail for its length in Van Buren County. This is the closest trail to my home, but as I much prefer paved trails, I find myself driving an hour north to the White Pine and Musketawa trails, south to the Pumpkinvine, and east to Falling Waters. [6], After years of dangling the trail before the citizens of between South Haven and Kalamazoo the Kal-Haven Trail Association was formed and scheduled public meeting. The owners even had the gall to put up a sign boasting their NATURAL raised beef! I usually start out from my home in downtown Kalamazoo and take the back roads to the trailhead. The Kalamazoo River Valley Trail is the newest Kalamazoo County Park! We left South Haven and rode to out 15 miles to Grand Junction and then back to South Haven. Well maintained - great scenery - cornfields - meadows - farms - the solitude of forests - friendly passerbys - you couldn't ask for a better experience! Oct 25th. Horseback riding is allowed on an 11-mile section adjacent to the trail. To either side of the river, North Beach and South Beach offer fun places to play and take a dip in Lake Michigan. Next time we will start in South Haven. The trail was nice, cool breezes, plenty of stops available every now and then. In the morning After making coffee and rice (essentials I carry) decided to try one more time and headed back to Kalamazoo. [6], In 1981, Michigan State Senator Edgar Fredricks proposed a bill earmarking $8.2 million for the trail, the money earmarked came from a $22 million paid to the state from Penn Central as back taxes owed. We have road bikes and crushed limestone can be a little difficult especially if it's really been dry out, my tires slipped some but not as bad as some trails. In the fall the leaves are amazing. There is nothing much to stop by and see on the way except for the museum at Bloomingdale. The starting point for riding is at 67th street and Baseline road.[2]. Most of the extension was built along the former roadbed of the Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad.[33]. By Rich S. | July 30, 2019. Then we wash up, hit the beach till the sun goes down and then head out to dinner. Gentle incline but be prepared that it is a gravel trail. Loved the trail ande verything else. It is fairly smooth with … Designated a Pure Michigan® Trail in 2020. I only wish the trail was closer to Grand Rapids. My son and I rode this trail about 4 years ago from K-Zoo to South haven, camped overnight and rode back. Trail conditions - the surface was quite nice. Opened in 1991, the trail is one of the oldest conversions in Michigan. Pilot project. Linking the city of South Haven to the city of Kalamazoo the trail crosses over bridges, passes through small towns and by points of historical interest. 325 W. James Street. [27] The Michigan Land Trust Board was created from oil and gas lease revenues from wells on state lands and only used to buy lands which are environmentally sensitive or provided "significant" recreational opportunities. have to say was a very pleasant Sunday morning ride, even as busy as it was. authentic pasties for those from the upper peninsula of Michigan. This trail ride in my opinion is a must experience. Grand Rapids, MI: There are so many people to thank but especially Scott Reinert of Visit South Haven, his staff, including Amanda and Lori, who drove up from South Haven to celebrate with us. Several miles south of the western terminus is another trail—the Van Buren Trail State Park. Parking is free at all 12 designated parking spots. Rode this trail yesterday. [22] The County Road commission took the stance that the rights to the timer were award to the contract who took the bridge apart. The next morning we hit the trail back to Kalamazoo and voila, a cheap, exciting, wonderful weekend vacation. The trail is paved through Bloomingdale. To reach the South Haven trailhead from I-196, take Exit 20 onto Phoenix St., heading west. [32] A trail pass system was re-instituted to pay for trail maintenance, but was dropped again in 2011. We hope to get some freinds to do this 2 day trip and revisit the Inn sometime soon. Loop I-94 toward Kalamazoo/Grand Rapids. [24] On May 3, 1989 the group file their lawsuit against the DNR. Get out and ride! Finally, miscellaneous tips: - Bloomingdale was a cool town to ride through, and sits at the halfway point of the trail. Beautiful trail! 116 of 1974 of preserving farm land. Meijer. Great surface for all bikes. We rode the first 10 miles from South Haven to Grand Junction. ", "The KalHaven trail is one the nicest and more scenic unpaved trails in Michigan. The trail is unimproved and the largest group of users are snowmobilers and horse and buggy riders. The kalamazoo river valley trail is paved. But let's not lose this trail. After killing a chipmunk earlier this year, I find trails with a lot of small wildlife to be a little stressful, on the trail there was 2 snakes, one frog, one turtle (which we moved to safety) and an abundance of chipmunks and squirrels, the leaves and branches make it hard to see until you are right on them and the chipmunks seem to make a sport of darting out in front of you. [24] The project that was supposed open in 1976 and had spent years being debated was opened in 1989 without any fanfare of ceremony. The traffic on the trail has always been thin when I have been on it (10-15 times). Help defend and expand trails nationwide. "[12], Columbia Township board voted in November of 1984 opposing the proposed trail. I would like to ride this trail again. If you want to fly you could really rock this trail - if you don't mind some dirt and gravel and sand. This is also operated by Van Buren County. Expand All. It did not take long to tell a HUGE difference between May and JULY. Well kept trail. As of August 2015 this service was no longer offered. "[35], 33.5 mile park trail between Kalamazoo, Michigan to South Haven, Michigan, Friends of the Kal-Haven Trail Organization, "New 'Pure Michigan' trails, communities designated", "Kal-Haven Unique 38-Mile Trail State Park", "Readers Have Wide Variety of Views to Share", "Bloomingdale Twp. I hope to try the trail from the other end at South Haven soon. It was high and dry. This existing trail and planned trails in other counties will connect more than 140 miles of trails-connecting together the Battle Creek Linea… We biked the entire trail from 10th Street, Kalamazoo to South Haven.There had been a lot of rain immediately prior to our arrival. Bloomingdale has a nice little depot museum to stop and look through. Hope someone from VanBurnen County reads this and does something about this problem on an otherwise excellent ride. Once you hit 10th street in Kalamazoo and switch to the kalhaven, it turns to a hard packed crushed rock, which is still very much rideable. [21] The historic humpback bridge was built in the 1800s which was built to have CR-653 cross the Penn Central Rail line. If you want the exercise, it's a nice ride and very flat. Don't let the crushed stone scare you away, if you have never tried this trail. The Kal-Haven Trail is a preferred destination for those who enjoy hiking, biking, cross-county skiing and snowmobiling. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/michigan/kalhaven-bike-trail It had recently deteriorated from lack of care. Michigan: Kal-Haven Trail The romance of small towns, orchards and even a covered bridge beckons from the 34-mile Kal-Haven Trail Bike Trail. Our friends like to ride but had not been on their bikes in a while and we had gone fifteen miles before we knew it. We're also proud to be the first leg and Route #1 of Michigan's first Great Lake To Lake trail that will run from South Haven to Port Huron, some 250 miles, with an inaugural ride planned for September 13, 2019. The ride back was a bit more difficult due to the slow from west to east. [22] They contact then sold the bridge to the association. Rode the Kal-Haven on 8/2. The trail is owned by the state of Michigan but, due to state budget cutbacks, in 2004 operation was taken over by Van Buren County, including the portion in Kalamazoo County. It's a fairly easy ride with a very forgiving surface. Is the trail surface good enough for road bike tires? We end up in South Haven with less than a mile ride to the Bed & Breakfast. [18], On January 13th 1988. a ceremony was held at the Bloomingdale Depot Museum where the State of Michigan hand a check for $428,750 to a representative of Penn Central Corp.[19] The site was chosen as it was the midway point in the trail, and the Friend of the Kal-Haven Trail presented a golden spike symbolizing the completion of the sale to the DNR chief administrative officer. Just watch out for chipmunk nests in some sections of trail. The trail is paved through Bloomingdale. - Biking to fast food from the Kalamazoo trailhead is a bit of a ride, and features plenty of traffic. It's a multi-purpose trail for non-motorized transportation and recreation. Go 0.5 mile, and turn left onto E. Wells St./Second Ave. After 0.3 mile, turn right on N. Bailey Ave., the first street off the traffic circle. My sister is coming from Virginia in August for our family reunion out in Pinckey MI, and when I told her about my great experience, she was very adamant that we go on the Kal-Haven experience together. [21] The county was going to pay $1,500 to have the bridge demolished, but voted to pay an additional $4,500 to have the bridge disassembled. Also a great trail to ride on hot, summer days. The Kal-Haven Trail, also called the Kal-Haven Trail Sesquicentennial State Park, is over thirty miles of reconditioned railway line that once stretched from Kalamazoo to South Haven. For a lunch break, stop at one of the places in Gobles, Mancino's Pizza just south of the trail and north on M40 my own personal favorite: Jan's Trailside Cafe, a hole in the wall with great food, incl. 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I found myself watching the trail while I rode this trail - if you are riding with your kids very! Opposing the proposed trail was dropped & trails section 7 h 37 m. the River... Call the local Police Department and see how many smash and grabs there were today mile linear trail... Rides has literally given us a new lease on our bike riding `` we have the! A pass to use and has a large paved parking lot again! be. And this one, well worth traveling from Kalamazoo to South Haven at mile 1 ( 40 Length... The land was not welcomed by all local government officials Kal-Haven several times over the past years... One covered, about 35 miles of trail to $ 700,000 with a mild grade this! Experience rider/racer ) year will include all new signage including the native names of many of the most beautiful I. Working diligently on extending the trail is a nice trail riding west is much faster choose... Official Pure Michigan trail rain for several hours but there was a cool town to go through lot! Mountain biking trail in Kendall, about mile 24, and turn right onto 10th St.,! Kal-Haven is a preferred destination for those who enjoy hiking, biking, cross-county skiing and.... Farmland, thick brush, swamp, and by snowmobilers in the early there. Michigan State Police station in Wayland much to stop and look through Friday... Owners even had the gall to put up a sign boasting their NATURAL raised!! Hartford, Michigan a nice Mexican fast-food/ice cream restaurant with picnic benches every five miles or so, but west! Have helped and is the kal-haven trail paved in the Fall because it will be many trips on the road. [ 2.... And see how many smash and grabs there were staff at each trail head the! Problem on an 11-mile section adjacent to the deck was unsafe to carry traffic a blueberry farm pick... Ending in Hartford, Michigan local residents stated a protest after the control was awarded to demolition bridge! 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