Map of bike paths / walking paths in the Rochester and Clinton area

FULL PAGE MAP

Recreational trails for walking, running and cycling in Rochester, Michigan

Rochester is located in Oakland County to the north of Detroit in Southeastern Michigan. Other communities in this area include Sterling Heights and Charter Township of Clinton in Macomb County and Rochester Hills, Troy, Pontiac and Auburn Hills in Oakland County.

There are numerous recreational trails for bike riding, running and walking located in this portion of Michigan. There are trails that follow historic railroad corridors, others that travel through the natural areasand parks adjacent to creeks and rivers and other pathways that follow alongside major roadways.

Macomb Orchard Trail

The Macomb Orchard Trail is a 23.5-mile long paved pathway that was constructed along an abandoned railroad right-of-way through the rural areas on the north side of the Detroit urban area. The trail includes an expansive bridge for crossing over Highway 53 near the Ford Motor Company Romeo Engine Plant. Much of the Macomb Orchard Trail travels through open countryside, rural residential neighborhoods and farmland with few street crossings.

The southwest end of the Macomb Orchard Trail meets the Clinton River Trail at Dequindre Road, south of 24 Mile Road in Rochester. The northeast end of the trail is in the community of Richmond.

Read more about the Macomb Orchard Trail

Paint Creek Trail

The Paint Creek Trail is an 8.9-mile long mostly unpaved pathway that spans between Rochester and Lake Orion. For the most part that trail has an 8-foot wide surface of crushed limestone with a 1/4 mile segment near its northern end with a surface of asphalt. Much of the the trail was constructed along an abandoned railroad right-of-way and goes through the beautiful woodlands of this area.

At its south end, the Paint Creek Trail connects to the Clinton River Trail to the south of Downtown Rochester. From this point the trail heads north going through the downtown area and past Rochester Municipal Park. Most of the remainder of its route is located away from roadways with only a few road crossings. The north end of the trail is located at the intersection of Atwater Street and S. Broadway Street on the southside of the community of Lake Orion. This point is just west of Atwater Park.

Clinton River Trail

The Clinton River Trail is a 16-mile long unpaved trail located in the community of Rochester Hills on the north side of the Detroit urban area. The trail extends from S. Opdyke Road to Dequindre Road. The trail passes near several local parks and schools. It has an overpass for crossing Interstate 75 and an underpass for crossing Highway 59.

The Clinton River Trail connects with Macomb Orchard Trail at Dequindre Road. It also connects to trails that lead to other trails in Bloomer Park. Paint Creek Trail intersects with Clinton River Trail at the far east end of Bloomer Park near E. 2nd Street. the trail also intersects with several of the bike paths located along the major roadways in the area.

The Clinton River Trail goes past the following points of interest: Avondale High School, Riverbend Park, Avon Nature Area, RC Baseball Field and Bloomer Park.

River Bends Park Trail & Clinton River Park Trail

River Bends Park and Clinton River Park are both located along the Clinton River on either side of Highway 59. The parks have a continuous system of pathways that meander through the landscaped and natural areas. The routes of the trails are located away from roadways and connect several local parks, residential neighborhoods and schools. The trails go past the following points of interest: Burgess-Shadbush Nature Center, River Bends Park, Clinton River Heritage Park, Sterling Heights Nature Center, Jaycee Park, Henry Ford II High School, Farmstead Park, Clinton River Park, Dodge Park and Sterling Heights Senior Center.

The north end of the trail system is located near the intersection of River Bends Drive and Ryan Road. The south end of the system is located at Edison Street off of Clinton River Road in Sterling Heights.

Stoney Creek Metropark Trail

Stoney Creek Metropark is a 4,461 acre park that encompases Stoney Creek Lake near the communities of Washington, Shelby Charter Township and Oakland Charter Township. The park has a paved recreational trail that loops around the lake and travels through thickly wooded landscape as well as hiking trails, beaches, campgrounds, picnic areas, kayaking and other amenities. The recreational trail that loops around the lake is 6-miles long and the trail that follows long the south entrance road is 1.4 miles long.

Polly Ann Trail

The Polly Ann Trail is a 21-mile long unpaved and paved trail located in Northern Oakland County. The pathway stretches from Joslyn Road to the community of Dryden. The trail was constructed along an abandoned railroad right-of-way that goes through beautiful thick forests and past several lakes. The trail is paved through the City of Oxford, other portions have a crushed limestone surface and remains undeveloped in other areas.

Read more about the Polly Ann Trail - Oakland County

Metro Parkway Trail

The Metro Parkway Trail is a 10.5-mile long paved pathway that follows alongside Metro Parkway and 16 Mile Road in Clinton on the north side of the Detroit urban area. The pathway spans between Freedom Hill County Park and the Lake St. Clair Metropark. The Metro Parkway Trail intersects many of the major roadways in the area and also connects to the trails within the Lake St. Clair Metropark and the Clinton River Spillway Bike Path.

Lake St. Clair Metropark Trails

Lake St. Clair Metropark is located at the east end of the Metro Parkway along the shores of Lake St. Clair. There are several paved trails at the park plus other amenties. The Metro Parkway Trail connects to the trails within the park.

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Resources

Following are links to official off-site resources to find out more details about the recreational trails located in Rochester, Sterling Heights and Charter Township of Clinton in Southeastern Michigan.