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Penosha Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 56 Google reviews · Running trail in Brighton, Michigan · Hours vary
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Natural surface
- Loop distance
- 5 mi
- Shape
- Loop
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Not reported
Confirmed from Penosha 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.
Kid-friendly area featuring hiking trails and mountain biking.
What runners say about Penosha Trail
“Not much for scenic photos in mid-November, but it would probably be beautiful in Spring, color change, or snowfall.”
“The 5 mile loop is well marked and well maintained with a moderate difficulty due to tree rooted climbs and descents.”
Penosha shares the same parking lot and trailhead as the Murray Lake and Torn Shirt Mountain Biking loop (Bishop Lake Complex) but it's a hiking only loop.Sometimes it's nice to not have to worry about mixed traffic.
Penosha Trail has been one of my not “Penosos” spaces to go for a hike. First, it is locates inside one of the most green are places close to home. Second, getting there is easy from either location. Third, this park strictly enforces separation between MTB and Hike trails.
The 5ish-mile loop is not for the faint of heart. It's not really for a leisurely stroll thru the woods. Some steepish hills and protruding roots and rocks make this a hiking trail you probably wouldnt want to jog/run. The trail is clearly marked, so no fear of getting lost.
This is a 5 mile loop trail leading through the forest in the Brighton Recreation Area. Well marked and comfortable trail with no Mountain Biking allowed. (Note:, there is a separate trail for Mountain bikes.) Birds and other wildlife seen along the way with few people. A great way to spend a few hours.
Trail conditions & character
“Some steepish hills and protruding roots and rocks make this a hiking trail you probably wouldnt want to jog/run.”
“Penosha shares the same parking lot and trailhead as the Murray Lake and Torn Shirt Mountain Biking loop (Bishop Lake Complex) but it's a hiking only loop.”
“Loved both the long (6 miles) and short (3 miles) trail, then following it up with a brewery in Brighton (I recommend Brewery Becker).”
“The 5 mile loop is well marked and well maintained with a moderate difficulty due to tree rooted climbs and descents.”
“Penosha shares the same parking lot and trailhead as the Murray Lake and Torn Shirt Mountain Biking loop (Bishop Lake Complex) but it's a hiking only loop.”
“Some steepish hills and protruding roots and rocks make this a hiking trail you probably wouldnt want to jog/run.”
Plan your run at Penosha Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessHours vary — hours are not posted for this trail, so check before an early or late run
- SurfaceNatural surface — easiest on the joints and the most fun, but expect roots, rocks and mud after rain
- Loop distance5 mi back to where you parked. Long enough for a real long run.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking — reported by runners
Running trails near Brighton
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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