HomeMichiganNew Era › Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail Park

Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 2,522 Google reviews · Running trail in New Era, Michigan · Open 24 hours

Runner's snapshot

Surface
Paved
Distance
22 mi
Shape
Not reported
Shade
Not reported
Access
Open 24 hours

Confirmed from Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail Park's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.

Paved22 miOpen 24hScenicFlat & fastRestroomsTrailhead parking

Well-maintained walking, biking and snowmobiling trail that runs between Montague and Hart.

What runners say about Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail Park

Pulled from public reviews of this trail (2,522 of them) — the things people bring up again and again, in their own words. Nothing here is written by us.

well-maintained 5 mentions

“Thank goodness for Michigan’s bike paths; they are well-maintained and the rest stops are maintained as well.”

🏞️ beautiful scenery 7 mentions

“From Montague to Hart It is about 23 miles of smooth pavement and beautiful scenery.”

Very nice trail to the lighthouse. Easy walk or bike ride, some shade and very flat. It worth going just to see the light house. Please give my review a thumbs up if you liked it or found it helpful.

★★★★★ — Matt , Jul 2019

This is a great trail to ride! I have only gone 5 miles out of Hart so far, but every inch of that 5 miles was paved and well taken care of. It's mostly flat so it makes a great trail for a leisurely cruise or a fast paced workout.

★★★★★ — Quinn , Jun 2018

The oldest rail-trail in Michigan. From Montague to Hart It is about 23 miles of smooth pavement and beautiful scenery. [Note: the trail also extends south to Muskegeon]

★★★★★ — Robert , Jun 2024

Been wanting to ride this trail for a long time. Wide paved trail, not very hilly with few road crossings. Several towns along the way for snacks and drinks.

★★★★★ — Frank , Sep 2021

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 2,522 reviews →

Trail conditions & character

What this trail is actually like underfoot and overhead, taken from its own listing and from reviews. Each one links to every other trail with the same character. Busy or quiet is reported as a plain fact, not a plus or a minus — a runner heading out alone at dawn often wants company on the path, and someone running intervals wants an empty one.

🏞️ Scenic views 10 mentions

“There are little areas to pull off, some overlooking fields of lush green, some overlooking this creek.”

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🛣️ Paved surface 7 mentions

“I have only gone 5 miles out of Hart so far, but every inch of that 5 miles was paved and well taken care of.”

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Flat & fast 5 mentions

“It's mostly flat so it makes a great trail for a leisurely cruise or a fast paced workout.”

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🚻 Restrooms 3 mentions

“It's also nice to have the multiple options of picnic tables/benches along the trail, and many options for playgounds and bathrooms.”

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🅿️ Trailhead parking 3 mentions

“We got on at Hart trailhead and there was good parking and a decent restroom at that location.”

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🏃 Long-run distance (5mi+) 3 mentions

“I have only gone 5 miles out of Hart so far, but every inch of that 5 miles was paved and well taken care of.”

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Plan your run at Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail Park

The practical stuff

  • AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
  • SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
  • Distance22 mi as reported — check whether that is one way or a round trip before you commit. Long enough for a real long run.
  • ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
  • At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
  • Websitemichigan.gov
  • Phone(231) 869-2051
  • Social Instagram · Facebook

Hours

Monday Open 24 hours
Tuesday Open 24 hours
Wednesday Open 24 hours
Thursday Open 24 hours
Friday Open 24 hours
Saturday Open 24 hours
Sunday Open 24 hours

Posted hours for the park or trailhead. Gates and parking lots often close earlier than the trail itself, and seasonal hours change — worth a check before a pre-dawn or after-dark run.

Where to find Hart-Montague Bicycle Trail Park

New Era, Michigan

Get directions

Running trails near New Era

Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.

Genevieve Casey Nature Sanctuary

4.9 ★★★★★ 7 reviews

Shelby, MI

1.7 miles away

Shelby Community Park

4.9 ★★★★★ 36 reviews

Shelby, MI

Scenic

2.2 miles away

Hart Trailhead

4.9 ★★★★★ 21 reviews

Hart, MI

PavedScenic

3.0 miles away

Shelby Trailhead on Hart-Montague Trail

4.6 ★★★★★ 53 reviews

Shelby, MI

Shaded

Park with bike trails and a public restroom.

3.8 miles away

4.1 miles away

Otto Nature Preserve

4.9 ★★★★★ 44 reviews

Shelby, MI

ScenicDog-friendly

Wooded nature preserve featuring easy-to-follow hiking trails for walkers and their pets.

6.4 miles away

All running trails in New Era, MI →

Nearby towns

Listing verified July 2026 from public records, the trail's own website and runner reviews. Trail conditions change — paths flood, gates close at dusk, and shaded woods stay muddy for days after rain. Something out of date? Report a correction. Manage this trail? Send us the details — it is free.