PENTWATER, Mich. (Michigan Back Roads) – South of Pentwater Lake, in the middle of a major Michigan tourism area, is a nearly pristine network of trails known as the Pentwater Pathways.

These trails were originally designed and built for cross country ski use and are groomed in the winter. Word spread and the snowshoe crowd began to show up, then the mountain bikers found the pathways. The trail system includes four different loops, totaling 15 miles.

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From a skiing point of view, there are beginner to advanced trails. These days the trails and pathways are mostly used for walking in the warm months. They are too gentle and easy to attract extreme mountain bikers. The trails cover mostly soft rolling hills, are heavily wooded and offer abundant wildlife. Being close to the major north – south highway, the pathways make a nice place to take a break. There are dense woodlands, wildflowers, and abundant wildlife. No motorized vehicles are allowed, making this a quiet place and dogs on leashes are welcome.

Directions:

To find the Pentwater Pathways, take the Pentwater Monroe Road exit off US-31, turn west on Long Bridge Road, go across the bridge, and then south on Wayne Road.  The entrance is about one mile south. When you leave the main road at the Pentwater Pathways entrance, you will be on a short drive, that is gravel.  The parking area is a widened space in the road, 0.3 mile in, and you will notice the bench, at the entrance to the trail system on your right.