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Maple Hill Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 167 Google reviews · Running trail in Kalamazoo, Michigan · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Mixed
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Maple Hill Trail'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.
Family-friendly park that has hiking and biking trails, plus picnic benches.
What runners say about Maple Hill Trail
“This trail is the best in town and is absolutely beautiful in the fall.”
“First time here and I loved it the trail is well marked not to technically challenging even for me the jumps remind me of when I was a kid jumping my old banana seat bike.”
Love this hiking trail just north of downtown Kalamazoo. It’s one of the best views of the city skyline. It also has some of the best native wildflowers that I’ve seen in the area. Very pure and undisturbed woodland. There are a lot of bikers in peak season, but there are separate trails for walkers and bikers.
Lots of SPH: Smiles Per Hour. The Maple Hill Trail is at Markin Glen County Park - West Side. This is a fun, modern, flow style trail with banked turns, whoop-de-doos, tabletops, well designed switchback climbs, mature shade forest, on 2-foot wide hardpacked singletrack.
Best trail in the Kalamazoo area, worth the 5$ daily pass, you can really hone fitness and skills here, because there are 2 lengthy climbs and 2 lengthy descents, changes direction depending on the day, but both directions are equally amazing. Jump trails (non-committal) and techy chunk.
Sweet ass flow trail, some big jumps, nice berms, and some tech but nothing crazy. The trail is about five miles in length and a blast to ride. This trail is bike only, and direction is based on day of the week.
Trail conditions & character
“The trail is very interesting, parking was fine got there close to dark lots of wild game and old grith tree's”
“This trail is the best in town and is absolutely beautiful in the fall.”
“For a beginner it takes 30 minutes to bike around, but it is very challenging: sharp turns, steep climbs and drops.”
“This is a fun, modern, flow style trail with banked turns, whoop-de-doos, tabletops, well designed switchback climbs, mature shade forest, on 2-foot wide hardpacked singletrack.”
“First time here and I loved it the trail is well marked not to technically challenging even for me the jumps remind me of when I was a kid jumping my old banana seat bike.”
“Well marked, easy to follow trail, easy access to the parking lot via paved roads if you want to cut the ride short, do only part of the trail, or repeat a section.”
Plan your run at Maple Hill Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceMixed — more than one surface along the route, so check the segment you plan to run
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms, water — reported by runners
- Websitekalcounty.com
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Running trails near Kalamazoo
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Markin Glen County Park
4.5 ★★★★★ 855 reviews
Former private estate with hiking trails, ball fields, a swimming lake & a 38-site campground.
Tallgrass Prairie
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DeLano Farms
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Nature preserve featuring trails, service learning, a market, and a festival.
Kalamazoo Nature Center
4.7 ★★★★★ 405 reviews
Center with pine forest & prairie trails, plus nature-themed paintings & arboretum sculptures.
Spring Valley Park
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Large park with a lake offering picnic areas, trails & playgrounds plus soccer & softball fields.
Bow in the Clouds Preserve
4.5 ★★★★★ 382 reviews
Sprawling nature conservation site with woods & wetlands, wildlife, walking paths & a boardwalk.