Hines Drive Bike Trail, Pedal, or have fun on Hines Drive In the Summer; bring your scooters, bikes, and strollers and head to Hines Drive in Westland for some Saturday morning fun. Spend some time outside exploring the six-mile highway at Hines Drive to kick off your weekend right. The 6 miles from Nankin Mills to Outer Drive will be closed to the general public to allow for safe open-street use by bicycles and pedestrians.
Park Hines Drive Bike Trail
Hines Park is a linear parkway that runs beside the Middle Rouge River from Northville to Dearborn Heights. It has 15 miles of heavily trafficked paved routes that link bikers in the nearby towns. The MCMBA is creating singletrack loops alongside the walkway in collaboration with Wayne County Parks, luring users away from the road and into a tranquil singletrack experience.
Rouge River Gateway Greenway/Hines Park Trail Information
The 2-mile Rouge River Gateway Greenway and the 17.5-mile Hines Park Path, which together make up this trail, form a smooth 19.5-mile connection between Dearborn and Northville. The Rouge River Gateway Greenway travels 2 miles north across the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus after beginning at the Michigan Avenue trailhead in Dearborn. The well-known historical tourist destination created by Henry Ford, Greenfield Village, is located nearby. It is an 80-acre open-air museum with seven historic districts that span 300 years of American history.
As you go north toward the university, you will cross Fair Lane Drive and the Lower Rouge River, passing the famed Henry Ford Estate on your left. After passing the university and its associated environmental interpretive center, the trail continues along Fair Lane Drive before crossing the Rouge River once more close to Kingfisher Bluff, a river bend that is now a storm-water management project with an observation overlook and interpretive signage. The trail becomes the Hines Park Trail after crossing Ford Road, and it continues for 17.5 miles to Northville. Don’t be surprised to see Model T Fords and flashy vehicles of various eras along this historic stretch of the path because classic-car enthusiasts frequently congregate on Edward N. Hines Drive, which is adjacent to the trail, for official and unofficial events.
Hines Drive Bike Trail Park Path
For slower bikers and pedestrians, the paved path is the best option. For about 18 kilometers, the road has a generous shoulder. Along the Ed Hines Rouge River linear park, this route links Northville and Dearborn. The park ALSO connects several singletrack sections. Riding Lakeview Trail, Riverview Trail, Oak Grove, Three Fires, and Trail 47 is a suggested route. Reverse after enjoying the pump track and skills area at Trail 47’s eastern terminus. On the way back, stop at Levan Knoll before boarding Riverview. These segments have a healthy mix of two-way and one-way traffic.
Dearborn, Garden City, Westland, Livonia, Plymouth, and Northville, Michigan’s Hines Drive
Hines Drive is a picturesque route that extends roughly 18 miles from the City of Dearborn west to Northville with very few traffic signals (Hines Drive crosses under bridges that are crossing highways through it). It is an excellent site for bikers, cyclists, runners, walkers, and dog walkers. Paved cycling and walking routes, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, dog parks, picnic spots, brick bathroom structures, dirt hiking trails, lakes, and ponds are all located along Hines Drive to its left and right. Hines Drive is an actively utilized park, yet it is never overcrowded. It’s highly well-liked by people who enjoy relaxing, going for walks, riding their bikes, and strolling their pets. There is also a lovely, smooth shoulder alongside the road that is 4 to 6 feet wide and 18 miles long with very few stops, making it a well-liked destination for the more dedicated riders.
Hines Park’s past
The Rouge was used as a route through this region by local Indian tribes as well as French and English trappers before the region was settled by Europeans. Later, the river served as an Underground Railroad route for runaway slaves traveling to Canada. Edward Hines, chairman of the Wayne County Road Commission, was honored by having Hines Drive named after him when it was constructed in 1949 on land given by Henry Ford. There are several old mills along the path, some of which Henry Ford used to produce auto parts. The dam at Nankin Mills was initially constructed in the middle of the nineteenth century to store water and provide a consistent source of power to operate the grindstones and belts there. Later, Mr. Ford renovated the dam to provide a consistent flow of water for the Mill’s hydroelectric power production.
Northville/Dearborn: Hines Drive Bike Trail Park Trail
There is a fantastic network of trails in the Dearborn (Ford HQ) and Northville regions that are perfect for bicycling, walking, and running. Between Northville and Greenfield Village in Dearborn, there is a paved path called the Hines Park Trail. Dedicated paths can be found in some places, whereas large bike lanes can be found in other places. The route is primarily a greenway and runs beside Edward Hines Drive (and on it in certain places). It also passes through various parks. The Henry Ford Museum is close to the southern end, which is located at Greenfield Village.
Connecting Rouge with Hines Drive
Southeast Michigan’s transportation network is increasingly dependent on trails, greenways, and other non-motorized facilities. Such infrastructures have a significant impact on the quality of life in the area, whether it is via connecting locals to their schools and jobs, tourists and visitors to the local economy, or residents to recreation possibilities and the natural world. Wayne County Parks started the community greenway planning project Connecting the Rouge, which was made possible by a grant from the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation. This project aims to increase accessibility to the Lower Rouge River Greenway, the Rouge River Gateway Greenway, and the Hines Drive trail network. The Rouge River valley’s neighborhoods, towns, workplaces, business districts, and destinations were all linked together in this project. At the end of the day, the planning process provides an opportunity to assess the state of the infrastructure and place the county government, local municipal partners, and other organizations in a position to pursue and implement crucial non-motorized connections in Wayne County. The Connecting the Rouge Framework Plan was created iteratively during the planning process, taking into account feedback from stakeholders and the community as well as the findings of the technical analysis and evaluation. A Priority Network of routes that should be pursued first for execution was created by the framework plan after first narrowing down the whole network of available routes.
Bike, mountain
Hines Drive Bike Trail winds along the Middle Rouge River for more than 15 miles from Dearborn in the east to Northville in the west. The Hines Parkway serves as a flood basin for the river. Here, you can find just about whatever you might possibly need in a park. The road is lined with playgrounds, baseball diamonds, soccer fields, gorgeous picnic sites, open fields, paved and off-road bike trails, and BBQ grills. Some are located by rivers or lakes, others by lakes, and some are in peaceful fields dotted with wildflowers and trees that provide shade. On a sunny spring or summer day, Hines is a terrific place to escape for leisure or pleasure. Driving through Hines in the autumn offers a stunning view of southeast Michigan’s fall beauty. The park hosts the Wayne County Lightfest, one of the greatest holiday light shows in the Midwest, every year and also provides sledding and skating areas in the winter.
Michigan Hines Park Trail
A 17.2-mile-long concrete trail winds through Hines Park in Southeast Michigan’s southern suburbs of the Detroit metropolitan area. The trail meanders through the greenbelt alongside the Middle River Rouge and passes through a number of parks, golf courses, and lakes. The University of Michigan Dearborn campus is connected by the path to a number of nearby localities. The trail travels through Hines Parkway for the most part beside Edward N. Hines Drive. Long and spanning numerous Wayne County municipalities, Hines Parkway is a park. The parkway is home to various lakes, picnic areas, nature centers, and athletic fields.
Local Trails
I-275 Metro Trail: At Edward Hines Drive and State Highway 14, two paths converge. The I-275 Metro Trail then turns east and travels beside the highway all the way to Interstate 96 in the north. The two paths connect until Interstate 275 and Edward Hines Drive, which are close to Lakeview Drive and Newburgh Lake, where they diverge once more.
Drive Edwards Hines
In the Detroit suburbs, Edwards Hines Drive follows the picturesque and significant Middle Rouge River, offering a wide variety of natural landscapes. This well-known ride departs from the Nankin Mills Interpretive Center and proceeds up to the Township of Northville in the northwest. Along with numerous parks and green areas along the river, the route also travels through some quaint, historic towns and villages that make for pleasant rest areas and snack stops. Although the terrain is usually level and the shoulder is large enough for bikes, be careful because traffic might become congested. The start of Edward Hines Drive is 6 miles east of Nankin Mills Interpretive Center, allowing travelers to significantly extend their journey if they so want.
Ancient Hines Drive
Tour Summary
Travel the scenic Hines Drive, a 17-mile route that traces the Rouge River from Dearborn to Northville through the western suburbs of Detroit. The Rouge was used as a route through this region by local Indian tribes as well as French and English trappers before the region was settled by Europeans. Later, the river served as an Underground Railroad route for runaway slaves traveling to Canada. Edward Hines, chairman of the Wayne County Road Commission, was honored by having Hines Drive named after him when it was constructed in 1949 on land given by Henry Ford. There are several old mills along the path, some of which Henry Ford used to produce auto parts. Hines Drive is bordered by mills, baseball and soccer fields, walking and biking trails, fishing piers, and picnic places. It’s a delight to explore Dearborn, Plymouth, and Northville while driving along this diverse parkway.
Fair Lane, Henry Ford Estate [A]
Although not directly on Hines Drive, the Henry Ford Estate is close by and a fitting place to begin your tour, given Ford’s contribution to the development of the route. Clara and Henry Ford lived on this magnificent estate, a National Historic Landmark, for more than three decades. Between 500 and 800 masons, wood carvers, and other artisans started working on the estate’s construction in 1914, guided by architect William Van Tine. Visit the 56-room, 31,000-square-foot home where the Fords hosted some of the most notable figures in history, such as Thomas Edison and aviator Charles Lindbergh as well as President Herbert Hoover and the Prince of Wales. Explore the expansive rooms with unique furnishings and the eight fireplaces with elaborate designs. View the 12-car garage with several of Ford’s personal vehicles, the research facility, and the six-level working powerhouse.
Nantucket Mills
This structure was constructed in 1842 as a grain mill and served as the impetus for the growth of a vibrant neighborhood around it. Henry Ford bought Nankin Mills in 1918 and made significant modifications to turn the Mill into a modest automobile manufacturer. Ford made a concerted effort to preserve the ancient building’s original tongue and groove hardwood flooring, which was attached to the support beams with wooden pegs, despite the restorations. Today, Nankin Mills is used as an educational facility where the natural and cultural heritage of the region is explained.
[C] Plymouth
One of the earliest communities in Michigan is Plymouth, which was founded in 1825 and became a city in 1867. It boasts a bustling downtown with a range of stores and eateries positioned around a lovely park. The park serves as the heart of the community and is the site of important local gatherings like the well-liked Fall Festival, Ice Sculpture Spectacular, and Art in the Park. Plymouth has several beautifully preserved historic residences nearby, in addition to a lovely downtown. Don’t skip a trip to this charming city!
[D] Northville
This unusual neighborhood, which was established as a city in 1867, is renowned for its picturesque landscape and rolling hills. With beautiful Victorian-era buildings in its Historic District and well-kept older homes constructed before the 1930s, the community maintains a small-town feel. Old-fashioned street lighting, benches, specialty stores, art galleries, theaters, restaurants, companies, and preserved landmarks can all be found in a downtown that is walkable. The Northville Downs Racetrack, Northville Cider Mill, Mill Race Historical Village, art festivals, the Victorian Festival, holiday celebrations, and adjacent Maybury State Park are just a few of the local attractions. Unquestionably one of the most attractive neighborhoods in the Detroit region!
B & O Richland Trail
The 18.4-mile paved Richland B&O Trail links the communities of Butler, Bellville, Lexington, Mansfield, and Kingwood Center Gardens. Riders will cross 18 bridges as they travel along the trail, which passes through wooded areas carved out by glaciers and broad open fields. The B&O Trail’s design for recreational enjoyment is its biggest asset. Ice cream stalls, a vineyard, coffee shops, small eateries, Bed & Breakfasts, and the well-known landscaped gardens at Kingwood Center Gardens may all be found along the trail. After taking your time to see each hamlet, you may simply extend your trip to include a day or spend the night. The trail is accessible year-round during daylight hours for walking, jogging, cross-country skiing in the winter, bicycling, and inline skating. Both are riding a horse and using a motorized vehicle are forbidden. It is wheelchair-accessible. Five restroom facilities are present. Due to their top speed, Class 3 e-bikes are not authorized on the trail. The trial is open to the use of classes 1 and 2. If you plan to ride a class 1 or 2 e-bike on the trail, keep in mind that there aren’t any charging stations nearby, so bring your bike fully charged! In each of the below-mentioned localities, parking is accessible, as well as access to bike trails. Y-Not Cycling & Fitness offers bike rentals and repairs in addition to being handicap accessible.
Commonly Asked Questions
At what point does Hines Park begin?
Beginning at the Michigan Avenue trailhead in Dearborn, the Rouge River Gateway Greenway travels 2 miles north across the campus of the University of Michigan-Dearborn.
How far is Michigan’s Hines Drive?
Hines Drive, a 17-mile thoroughfare maintained by Wayne County Parks, offers FREE recreational opportunities in the cities of Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Redford, Livonia, Westland, Plymouth, and Northville.
Where begins and where ends Hines Drive?
Tour overview Travel the scenic Hines Drive, a 17-mile route that traces the Rouge River from Dearborn to Northville through the western suburbs of Detroit.
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