Kensington MetroPark Bike Trails

The trail at Kensington Metro Park is paved.

The 9-mile Kensington Metropark Bike Trails Metro Park Paved is a paved walk that is good for families and is located close to Milford, Michigan. This primary mountain bike track has a 280-foot green climb and an overall physical rating of easy. It may be utilized in both directions. This trail can be finished in 36 minutes on average.

Description Of The Kensington Metropark Trail

In western Oakland County, the Kensington Metropark Trail creates a paved loop around Kent Lake. One of the most visited parks in Michigan, the picturesque region has 4,481 acres of mountainous terrain surrounding a sizable lake. The trail welcomes inline skaters, runners, walkers, and cyclists. In addition to the main paved loop, Kensington Metropark has a variety of equestrian and hiking trails. Many visitors of the three additional paved routes that lead into the park travel to the area because of the scenic and recreational opportunities it offers. The Island Lake Pathway enters from the nearby Island Lake Recreation Area, while the Huron Valley Trail enters from South Lyon and Wixom at the southern end. The Milford Trail brings tourists from the same-named hamlet to the north.

Access to parking and trails
Several spots inside the park offer parking for the Kensington Metropark Trail. Utilize the Kent Lake Road exit off Interstate 96 to reach Kensington Metropark.

Paved Bicycle Path

The expansive, paved Kensington Metropark Bike Trails Metropark circles Kent Lake entirely. The path occasionally runs right up against the water, providing stunning vistas of the vast lake and its numerous islands. Other times, the trail meanders through meadows and forests, providing opportunities to see deer and other animals—of which Kensington Metropark has an excessive number. There are flat and hilly areas. Because of its diversity, it’s a great track for bicycling, long-distance jogging, or even just a casual stroll along any part.

Connector From Kensington To Proud Lake

The paved bike path network at the east gate of Kensington Bike Trails Metropark is connected to Proud Lake Recreation Area by a brief section of delightful singletrack known as the Kensington to Proud Lake Connector route. While equestrians have a separate connection trail, hikers and bicyclists share this trail. Riders can experience the trails of Island Lake Recreation Area, Proud Lake Recreation Area, and the Milford trails without leaving a bike route by using the Kensington to Proud Lake Connector.

Railway Path

The Huron Valley Trail runs alongside the previous Grand Trunk Railroad with the City of South Lyon over Lyon Township and into Milford Township. From there, it continues south on Old Plank Road to Pontiac Trail and then continues east on Pontiac Trail along the north side of Lyon Oaks County Park to the Wixom City line.

One mile of Lyon Oaks County Park fronts the trail. A continuation to the west crosses under I-96 to join the trail network in Kensington Metropark after passing through Lyon Township Park, along Grand River Avenue, and into Island Lake State Recreation Area. The trail is all paved. The section through Lyon and Milford Townships has fairly gentle gradients and is very flat, but the extension to Island Lake has some difficult hills.

The James F. Atchison Memorial Park, Lyon Oaks County Park, Kensington Metropark, and Island Lake State Recreation Area may all be reached directly from South Lyon’s McHattie and Volunteer Parks via the Huron Valley Trail. All of these parks offer parking for cars and access to the route. Over 25 miles of nearby trails can be reached through connections made on the Huron Valley Trail. Huron Valley Trail was created by Western Oakland County Trailway Management Council. The Huron-Clinton Metropolitan Authority, Lyon Township, Milford Township, and the City of South Lyon are all represented on the council.

Bike Path

With the opening of the easily accessible Camp Dearborn Non-Motorized Trail near Milford, cyclists, hikers, and joggers may join the larger Oakland County Regional Trail System.
As a result of the non-motorized trail’s combination fishing/observation platform and handicap-accessible canoe/kayak launch, it is advantageous to kayakers and anglers who enjoy the Huron River.
The Main Public Beach parking lot, which has striping leading to the road leading to the Huron River, is where the Camp Dearborn trail starts.
It uses a 70-foot by 80-foot steel truss bridge to cross the Huron River.
Through the Milford Trail, which also links to Kensington Metropark, Proud Lake State Recreation Area, Chief Pontiac Hiking Trail, Highland State Recreation Area, and downtown Milford, it is connected to the Oakland County Regional Trail.

Trails In Kensington Metropark

This past weekend, I went back to Kensington Metropark to explore the paths I missed the first time (and for a re-match with the Sandhill Crane). I began the day with Aspen Trail and scored big after seeing a Great Blue Heron taking a swim in the lagoon behind the nature center (as much of a jackpot as one can get in Metro Detroit). A family of Sandhill Cranes was easily observed in the long grasses and cattails that line the trail’s beginning. I saw from the trail’s edge a mother bird and her three young birds made their way through for breakfast.
A sign directs hikers to detour from the trail just before the path twists and enters the woods to see the remnants of a former summer residence from the early 1900s (a couple of chunks of the stone foundation are all that remain today). A fawn was observing me from the side of the route, a safe distance away, as I stopped just before crossing a little bridge over a stream at the edge of the woods. After a while of staring at each other, its mother and another fawn emerged from the trees, and the three of them leaped gracefully away to safety. She kept a close check on me since she recognized the suspicious character I was, which allowed me to observe the small family for a while as I descended the route.

Kensington Metropark Bike Trails The best site to see wildlife on this particular morning turned out to be Aspen Trail. After the deer had vanished into the trees, a pair of wild turkeys crossed the path in front of me, frogs hopped through the various trickling streams, and Sandhill Cranes were a regular presence grazing in the aquatic habitat. The Pine Loop is a brief detour off Aspen Trail that heads northwest through a little bit denser forest. Tamarack Trail meanders through a very attractive swamp that is partially shielded by a boardwalk. I stared at this lovely place and wondered what it might be like in other seasons. As I mentioned in Part 1, I am eagerly anticipating returning to this network of short trails later in the year when the leaves change to stunning hues of red, orange, and yellow and even later when they are covered in a fresh layer of snow.

Michigan Bike Trail: Huron Valley Trail, South Lyon, and Milford, MI

Another rail-to-trail or railroad track turned into a cycling path or route is the Huron Valley Trail. It is 10.5 miles long and totally paved. The Lyon Oaks County Park is where it starts, and it travels west through Milford Township along the former Airline Railroad corridor. Turning southwest, the railway enters Lyon Township before continuing along the disused railroad line to South Lyon. — Brochure for Destination Oakland
A connection route near I-96 travels west toward Island Lake State Recreation Area and Kensington Metropark. While the trail to Kensington/Island Lake has some difficult hills, the trail to South Lyon is mostly level, with only very low gradients. Access to Kensington Metropark from Island Lake Recreation is made possible by a distinctive boardwalk that runs beneath I-96 and Grand River Ave. Brochure for Destination Oakland.
The trail is accessible from Pontiac Trail, Grand River Avenue, Milford Traffic, Ten Mile Road, and Kent Lake Road, all of which have significant road crossings.
Numerous local parks, including the City of South Lyon McHattie and Volunteer Park, James F. Atchison Memorial Park, Lyon Township Community Park, Kensington Metropark, and Island Lake Metropark, are directly accessible from the Huron Valley Trail.

Why Kensington Bike Trails Metropark Is Among Michigan’s Best Parks

By no means in my life have I been in a park where sandhill cranes let you silently watch them feed their young or where woodpeckers or chickadees land uninhibitedly on your palm to eat some seeds. They are wild and free to come and go as they select because there are no barriers.

The Kensington Metropark’s magnitude absolutely astounded me; not only did it cover 4,481 acres of lush, rolling hills, trails, and sandy beaches, but the amenities were excellent as well. Not your thing to hike? Consider playing golf, playing disc golf, taking a pontoon ride, going kayaking, or just relaxing on the warm sand at Maple or Martindale beaches.

Numerous outdoor pursuits are available at Kensington Metropark all year long, including biking, boating, and tobogganing in the winter and cross-country skiing in the summer. Even a restaurant by the name of Farmhouse Grill is available for you to eat at, so you may play all day.

Loop Trail In Kensington Metropark

Kensington Metropark Bike Trails Enjoy the 5.5-kilometer circular route in the Milford, Michigan, area. It typically takes 1 hour and 8 minutes to accomplish this trip, which is thought of as being simple. Although this trail is well-liked for birdwatching, hiking, and running, you can still find some peace and quiet during the slower times of the day. The route is lovely to search at any time of the year and is open all year.

Trails In Kensington Metropark

I’ve been going to Kensington Metroparks for years, loving both rollerblading on the paved track around Kent Lake and trekking the nature trails behind the Nature Center. Little did I know that I had only hiked about half of the park’s entire number of trails. Although they don’t really advertise it, Kensington’s park contains 77 kilometers of trails.
Paved trails: The park has paved trails totaling slightly over 19 kilometers. There are not many road crossings, so you may enjoy the trails without being concerned about traffic. These trails are well-liked by walkers, cyclists, and inline skaters.
Kent Lake is circled by the 13.3 km main paved loop route. You’ll pass through a variety of pathways along the lake as well as open, mowed parkland and wooded woodland. This trail is one of the most difficult paved trails in the area because it has a few significant slopes. Long, wooden boardwalk towards the southern end of the loop; this section might be difficult for inline skaters.
The Kensington-Milford Connector Trail runs 4.6 kilometers from the northeastern corner of the Main Paved Loop Trail around the northern end of Kent Lake and through forests to the northern park boundary. You then cross the street to access the Milford trail system. Because the trail is young, there are a few unpaved road crossings along the way.
Nature Trails: The park’s 14.2 km of broad, well-maintained gravel trails go around Wild Wing Lake, through wetlands, and through diverse forested areas. They are located directly behind the Nature Center. The nature paths’ varied loop arrangements provide you with a close-up view of several of southeast Michigan’s ecosystems. Additionally, if they’re lucky, visitors could come face to face with deer, wild turkeys, river otters, and other animals. At the Nature Center, all paths in the Nature Center start.
Wild Wing Walk: This trail around Wild Wing Lake is great for viewing river otters. It is also almost assured that you will see herons. With the exception of a steep slope at the extreme west end, this 2.9 km trail is mostly level.
Deer Run Track: The 2.6 km trail travels northeast from the Nature Center and crosses an old bog while passing through a variety of wooded areas.
Deer Run Trail with Chickadee Loop: The Chickadee Loop can be added from the far end of the Deer Run Trail. The Deer Run Trail is reached after passing through woods and a few tiny ponds on one of the less-used pathways in the nature reserve.
Deer Run Trail with Fox Loop: Including the Fox, Loop increases the length of your trek to 4.1 km and adds a few tiny ponds and a stream.
Tamarack Loop: The one-kilometer-long Tamarack Trail winds through an old bog filled with tamarack trees, the only other nut-bearing trees in the vicinity that shed their needles in the winter.
Aspen Trail: The 2.2 km Aspen Trail winds through a marshy area before entering woodland.
Aspen Trail plus Pine Loop: Including the Pine Loop in your hike make it 2.8 kilometers long.
Ranch Trails: The Farm Center does not have any official trail routes, although you can access many trails from here. There is 2.6 km of trails in the Farm Center area alone, and they connect to the Paved Loop Trail, the West Equestrian Trail, and Ski Trail C.
Mountain Bike Trail: Mountain bikes are only permitted on paved paths. One such trail extends 3.5 km from the Equestrian Staging Area to Proud Lake State Recreation Area in the park’s eastern section.
Equestrian Trails: Most park visitors are unaware of the 26.5 km of equestrian trails in the park. The paths traverse a range of terrain and are open to horseback riders, skiers, and hikers. Although all equestrian routes begin in the Equestrian Staging Area, they can be accessed from other locations as well.
North Equestrian Trail: The 5.8-kilometer North Equestrian Trail begins at the Equestrian Staging Region and extends to the Group Camp before making a significant loop through a forested area. At the north end of the loop, don’t forget to look for ruins.
East Equestrian Trail: The East Equestrian Trail connects to the wide trail system in that park and travels 5.6 kilometers (one way) through the woods from the Equestrian Staging Area to Proud Lake State Recreation Area.
West Equestrian Trail: This 14.5 km circle starts at the Equestrian Staging Area behind the Farm Center along the Huron River and travels through forests and meadows before making a loop just north of the Nature Area and returning to the Staging area.
South Equestrian Trail: The 17.4 km (round trip) South Equestrian Trail is an out-and-back path that travels through the park’s forests to the south, past the Disc Golf field and I-96 before looping about and heading back to the parking area.

Commonly asked questions

Is a bike helmet required in Kensington Metropark?

Infractions in Kensington Metropark

Through their ordinances, Milford Township controls activities at Kensington Metropark. They have a regulation that limits the use of bicycles inside the park, in addition to just needing helmets on paved bike paths.

How far does the Kensington Metropark bike trail extend?

Consider taking this 3.4-mile circular trail close to Milford, Michigan. It typically takes 1 hour and 8 minutes to accomplish this trip, which is thought of as being simple.