This town was built for bikes. Between the paved B2B Trail corridor, a gravel scene that’s quietly one of the best in the Midwest, and actual mountain bike single-track within 30 minutes of downtown, Ann Arbor earns its Bicycle Friendly Community status honestly. Here’s where to ride.
Border-to-Border Trail (B2B) – The Backbone
The B2B is the ride that ties everything together. Over 40 miles of paved, 10-foot-wide trail running across Washtenaw County, mostly along the Huron River. It’s flat, smooth, and connects Ann Arbor to Ypsilanti going east and Dexter going west.
The Ann Arbor segment alone gives you a clean ride from Gallup Park through Bandemer, past Barton Dam, and out toward Dexter – about 10 miles one way. The surface is asphalt, the sightlines are good, and there are enough parks along the route that you can stop for water every couple of miles.
For families or casual riders, this is the default. For commuters, it’s a car-free corridor that actually goes somewhere useful. Enter at Gallup Park, Bandemer, or any of the marked trailheads along the route.
Border to Border Trailhead | Gallup Park | Bandemer Nature Area
Matthaei Botanical Gardens Trail
This 4.3-mile paved out-and-back connects Matthaei Botanical Gardens to the broader Ann Arbor trail system. It’s a quieter alternative to the main B2B corridor – fewer joggers, less congestion, and a genuinely scenic ride through wooded wetlands on the east side of town.
The trail is flat and well-maintained, perfect for an easy spin or a warm-up ride before heading out on gravel. Park at Matthaei (free) and ride west toward Dixboro Road. The connection to the B2B network is improving every year as new segments get completed.
Matthaei Botanical Gardens | Matthaei Botanical Gardens Trail Trailhead
Ann Arbor Gravel Loop
If you’ve got 38 miles and a gravel bike, this is the ride. The Ann Arbor Gravel Loop heads west out of town on a mix of dirt roads, farm lanes, and short paved connectors. You’ll pass through rolling farmland, cross the Huron River twice, and spend most of the ride seeing nothing but corn, soybeans, and sky.
The route takes about 4 to 4.5 hours at a moderate pace. The dirt roads in Washtenaw County are well-graded but can get soft after rain – 35mm tires minimum, 40mm preferred. Carry water and food; there’s nothing open for long stretches.
Start and finish from downtown or from the Dexter trailhead. The gravel riding community in Ann Arbor is active and growing – check local shop group rides for route intel and company.
Dexter-Huron Metropark to Delhi Metropark
This is the river ride. Start at Dexter-Huron Metropark, take Huron River Drive southeast to Delhi Metropark – about 7 miles one way on a shouldered two-lane road that follows every bend of the Huron. Traffic is light, the scenery is constant river views, and the elevation is gentle.
You can extend the ride by continuing from Delhi into Ann Arbor on the B2B Trail, making it a 15+ mile one-way. Or make it a loop by cutting north on gravel roads through Webster Township.
Both metroparks have parking, restrooms, and picnic areas. A Metroparks vehicle pass is required.
Dexter Huron Metropark | Delhi Metropark
Barton Nature Area – Beginner Mountain Biking
Barton has several loops of beginner-to-intermediate single-track in 98 acres along the Huron River. The trails are short but well-built, with moderate climbs, smooth berms, and enough flow to make you grin without scaring you off.
This is where Ann Arbor mountain bikers learn their craft. The tight switchbacks and rooty sections teach bike handling without the consequence of a bigger trail system. A full session through all the loops is maybe 4 miles, but you’ll repeat your favorites.
Access from the parking area on Huron River Drive, north of downtown.
DTE Energy Foundation Trail – Serious Single-Track
Thirty minutes west of Ann Arbor in the Waterloo Recreation Area, the DTE Foundation Trail is the real mountain bike destination. Four purpose-built flow loops – Green Lake (5.2 miles), Big Kame (4.75 miles), Winn (8 miles), and Sugar (4 miles) – with machine-cut berms, rollers, and consistent grade.
The trail is designed for flow riding. You’ll carry speed through banked turns, pump over rollers, and rarely need to put a foot down. The Green Lake loop is the warm-up. Winn is the main event. Sugar is technical enough to humble you.
Take M-52 north from Chelsea to the Waterloo Recreation Area entrance. State Recreation Passport required. Bring your own water – there’s nothing at the trailhead.
Waterloo State Recreation Area
Potawatomi Trail – Cross-Country Challenge
Also in the Pinckney Recreation Area, the Potawatomi Trail is 17 miles of rugged cross-country single-track. This isn’t a flow trail – it’s roots, rocks, steep climbs, and technical descents through dense hardwood forest. The full loop is a genuine workout that’ll take 2 to 3 hours depending on fitness.
The trail connects to the Waterloo-Pinckney system, and you can link it with the DTE Foundation Trail for a truly epic day on the bike. About 40 minutes northwest of Ann Arbor.
Potawatomi Trailhead | Pinckney Recreation Area
Island Lake Recreation Area
Between Ann Arbor and Brighton, Island Lake has a well-maintained mountain bike trail system with about 8 miles of single-track. The terrain is rolling – more elevation variety than Barton but less technical than Potawatomi. A solid intermediate ride.
The trails loop through hardwood forest and skirt several small lakes. The riding is fast and fun, with enough short climbs to keep your heart rate honest. Worth combining with the B2B Trail for a road-and-dirt doubleheader.
Local Bike Shops
Before you ride, get fitted and get local intel. D&D Bicycles on Packard and Motor City Bicycle on Liberty both stock road, gravel, and mountain bikes and run group rides. REI Bike Shop on Lohr Road carries a broader selection of gear and accessories.
Close
Ann Arbor’s bike infrastructure keeps getting better – more trail connections, more protected lanes, more routes worth riding. Explore parks, trails, and outdoor recreation listings on miannarbor.com.
