Rochester River Walk

The Rochester River Walk – Pines Trail loop offers a dynamic mountain biking adventure through picturesque riverine areas and parklands. You'll encounter a mix of terrain, from the flowy sections of the Pines Trail with its boardwalks and rock gardens, perfect for skill development, to more demanding parts that test your fitness and advanced riding abilities. The route provides a great way to explore Rochester's natural beauty on two wheels.

Planning your ride on this 18.0-mile (29.0 km) loop, which features 553 feet (169 metres) of elevation gain and takes about 2 hours and 3 minutes, means preparing for a difficult mountain bike experience. While the Pines section is beginner-friendly for singletrack, the overall route requires good fitness. As a popular local trail, it's well-regarded within the Rochester mountain biking community.

This loop is part of a broader network that connects to the Genesee Riverway Trail, offering access to the Genesee River, its gorge, and various parks. The Pines section itself has seen extensions and additions, including a sessionable jump line, making it a hub for local riders. It's a prime example of the extensive and varied mountain biking routes available in the Rochester area.

The Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve – Dinosaur Hill loop offers a delightful escape into nature, winding through lush woodlands and open meadows. This easy mountain biking route provides a serene experience, perfect for those who appreciate tranquil beauty and a relaxed pace. You'll find yourself immersed in picturesque scenery, with opportunities to observe local wildlife along the way, making it a charming ride for all skill levels.

Planning your visit to the Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve is straightforward, as access to the trails is free, and no permits are needed for mountain biking. The preserve is a 16.9-acre sanctuary, making it an ideal spot for a casual ride. Parking is available on-site, and the easy nature of the trails means you can enjoy this 19.3-mile (31.0 km) loop, with its gentle 371 feet (113 metres) of elevation gain, in about 1 hour and 43 minutes, without much fuss.

The preserve gets its unique name from local children who, during neighborhood development, dubbed a piled-up hill of excavated dirt "Dinosaur Hill" due to its resemblance to a sleeping dinosaur. This name stuck when the preserve was established, adding a whimsical touch to its history. Beyond the trails, the preserve also offers educational opportunities, making it a community hub for learning about nature.

This extensive mountain biking loop near Shelby Charter Township offers a fantastic blend of technical singletrack and scenic rail-trail riding. You'll start by navigating the engaging, flowy sections of The Pines Trail within Stony Creek Metropark, winding through dense, heavily wooded forests with features like boardwalks and small rock gardens. The route then transitions to the crushed limestone surface of the Paint Creek Trail, following the picturesque Paint Creek through woodlands, meadows, and wetlands, crossing several bridges along the way.

To tackle this difficult 26.1-mile (42.0 km) route, which involves 778 feet (237 metres) of elevation gain and takes approximately 2 hours and 52 minutes, plan your start from Shelby Charter Township. Parking is available at various points within Stony Creek Metropark and along the Paint Creek Trail, but arriving early is recommended, especially on busy days. Be sure to check for any specific park permits or fees required for Stony Creek Metropark before you go.

This unique loop combines two distinct and notable trail experiences: the skill-building singletrack of The Pines and Michigan's first non-motorized rail-to-trail, the Paint Creek Trail. The Paint Creek section is particularly scenic, offering views of ponds and opportunities to spot wildlife like muskrats, herons, and deer. The trail's historical significance as a former railroad corridor adds an interesting layer to your ride, with old mile markers still visible.