Iron Belle Trail

We worked with the Michigan DNR, SEMCOG, and Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance to develop the Iron Belle Trail routing from Belle Isle in Detroit to Ironwood, Michigan on the Wisconsin border.

We rode the Dequindre Cut with former Michigan Governor Rick Snyder and spoke profusely about how great trails and biking in Detroit were. He repeated that during a radio interview the next day. Two weeks later he announced plans for a cross-state biking and walking route originally called the Showcase Trail. Related? We’re taking partial credit. 

Two Routes

When completed, the Iron Belle Trail will use existing trails, singletrack, sidewalks, bike lanes, sharrows and highways to connect Belle Isle in Detroit to Ironwood, Michigan. One route is more focused on hiking while the other is more for biking — in theory. Within Metro Detroit, there’s not much difference between two.

Much of the hiking trail uses the North Country Trail. Within Detroit, the routes make use of the existing Joe Louis Greenway, Conner Creek Greenway, and RiverWalk.

The Bicycle Route (red)

In Detroit, the bike-focused route:

  • Begins on Belle Isle and crosses the MacArthur Bridge
  • East on the RiverWalk towards Downtown
  • North on the Dequindre Cut and Dequindre Street to E. Warren
  • East on E. Warren to Conner Ave and the Conner Creek Greenway
  • North on Conner to Van Dyke
  • North on Van Dyke into the city of Warren

This routing is subject to change. The Dequindre Street, E. Warren, and much of the Conner Avenue portions should not be considered completed at this time.

The Hiking Route (blue)

In Detroit, the hiking-focused route:

  • Begins on Belle Isle and crosses the MacArthur Bridge
  • East on the RiverWalk past Downtown
  • Northwest on the Southwest Greenway to Bagley

The DNR routing appears to split into three routes with connections to Riverside Park, the Gordie Howe International Bridge, and Downriver.

When will it be completed?

Since 2019, the DNR has said the trail is 70% completed. Major gaps remain and many of the “completed” segments are only suitable for confident, experienced bicyclists.

While the intial intention was for a long distance bike packing or through-hiking experience, the Iron Belle Trail is not ready for that. Given its slow progress, it’s unclear when it will be.

Additional Information

14 replies on “Iron Belle Trail”

Should “heads east” say “heads west” here?:

The Hiking Route
Most of the hiking route will follow the North Country National Scenic Trail between Calhoun and Gogebic Counties. The trail traverses the west side of the Lower Peninsula, and borders Lake Superior in the Upper Peninsula.

In Detroit, the hiking trail also begin on Belle Isle but heads east once over the MacArthur Bridge. It continues on the RiverWalk before traveling through the heart of Southwest Detroit.

Hello my name is Greg Miracle. I was hoping to take a two week bicycling trip with my son Korey Moracle. We live in Unionville Mi. We were looking at starting our trip in the Bay City area and heading north. How much of the northern route is complete, and if not when will it be complete ? Thank You, Greg

Greg, We recommend that you contact the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance (https://www.michigantrails.org/). They are more familiar with the Iron Belle Trail in that part of the state. We’re more focused on the portions around Detroit.

How can us2 be considered safe for biking? The shoulder isnt protected or continuous and the speed of cars is 65. Is there a plan for this section to have a path?

Not aware of any plans for a separated path though some have advocated for re-routing it onto less traveled backroads.

Agreed! It’s an extremely dangerous highway with aggressive drivers, passing, and regular accident fatalities. Terrible for biking.

Greetings

Are you allowed to ride your bicycle on the Iron Belle trails designated as hiking? If not, any thoughts on making a loop ride around the Michigan peninsula (as alternative to out n’ back on Iron Belle bike trail route)

Thank you

Most of the Iron Belle hiking trail is open to bikes except for some portions of the North Country Trail. Also note that much of the NCT is rustic singletrack that does require a mountain bike. Even still there are rail-trail alternatives such as the White Pine and Great Lake to Lake trail. The MTGA has maps with these and others (https://michigantrails.org/).

Can I ride from the B to B trail in Belleville to the lower metro park trail? If so what is the route? Is it off roads? From there can I get all the way to Lake Erie off roads as well?

the two trails are connected by Huron River drive. The B2B trail ends on south hydro park, take bridge road south to textile rd east which becomes Huron river drive and puts you at the metropark entrance east of haggerty road. follow the trail south east to huroc park in flat rock then take Gibraltar rd east until you get to commerce drive then head south to Maguire street and continue going east where there is a trail connection to lake eerie metro park which takes you the rest of the way

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