Marquette has been nationally and lately, world wide recognized for its Mountain Biking trails and bike paths. They will lead you through pristine wilderness, along the shore line, on historic trails, or through historic downtown. Trails range from extremely easy to extreme; from 30 minutes to several hours or day trips. MRT will offer to meet you somewhere and provide you with lunch that you will have to order and pay separately (or prepare yourself). Bike rental is available for regular road bikes and mountain bikes(not included in price/$25 extra per rental). We like to limit groups to 5 per tour guide.
Very easy all along paved Lake Superior Circle Tour bike path. Starting point at the Commons downtown heading right down to Lake Superior and Lower Harbor (wooden playground and ice cream parlor). Continuing past Maritime Museum and Light House toward McCarty's Cove (great swimming beach with life guards). Following the path along the shore line toward Presque Isle passing the active ore loading docks, yacht harbor to the break-wall (on good weather days one can walk all the way to the lighthouse tower). Here the path might split: one can continue on all around the island past Chief Kawbagam's grave site, scenic look out, steep cliffs at Black Rocks to take a break at the Sunset Point (great for actually watching the sun set) – this part of the ride would require one fairly steep uphill section.
The shorter and easier section would be heading from the break-wall past the pavilion along the beach toward Sunset Point (and then backtracking). Here, at the entrance of the Island is another playground and ice cream parlor (also, there are several restrooms along the way). One can return the same way – or for the folks with a little bit more endurance – take the long way home on the city's western bike path. This trip is very, very easy and can be as short as 1 hour or as long as several hours depending on how many stops and how long one stops.
Also, this is all wheelchair accessible!
The shorter and easier section would be heading from the break-wall past the pavilion along the beach toward Sunset Point (and then backtracking). Here, at the entrance of the Island is another playground and ice cream parlor (also, there are several restrooms along the way). One can return the same way – or for the folks with a little bit more endurance – take the long way home on the city's western bike path. This trip is very, very easy and can be as short as 1 hour or as long as several hours depending on how many stops and how long one stops.
Also, this is all wheelchair accessible!
A 3-4 hour ride would start at the Commons downtown and lead to the South Trail System where your tour guide will lead you on a single flowing track through pristine wilderness (deep forest, rivers, and waterfalls). This is mountain biker's paradise! For this ride you need to have some biking experience since the terrain is easy to difficult.
A 5-6 hour trip also starting at the commons downtown, leading on to Heritage trail and joining with the South Trail System. Your tour guide will lead you on a single flowing track on the outer loops of the system. Just like trail #1 – this is mountain bikers' paradise. For this trip you need to have mountain biking experience and you need to have a lot of endurance.
This trail has been newly established over the old rail road tracks. It is easily accessible from downtown Marquette and most of it is on paved surface. It leads through the back country all the way up to the iron town of Negaunee (one could visit the Iron Ore Museum as a destination) and will lead through the old mining grounds all the way up to Ishpeming. This can be a 3hr to 6 hr trip (or shorter if only doing part of the trail). For most part this is a 2% incline all the way, however, the last 6 miles before Negaunee have some steeper hills to climb otherwise this is very easy peddling. Another variety would be to start out in Ishpeming or Negaunee and going downhill toward Marquette.
This pass is also wheelchair accessible
There are several Mountain Biking trails that are specifically designated for children. More info will be posted soon – until then - just ask!