MOUNTAIN BIKING IN THE KEWEENAW

Copper Harbor  |  Churning Rapids & Maasto Hiitho  |  Houghton & Mich Tech

Swedetown  |  Adventure Mine  |  MTB Events

Welcome to the home of the best mountain biking in the Midwest! The Keweenaw offers a huge variety of trails, from beginners looking for a scenic ride through pristine pines and glades, to expert riders in pursuit of a real challenge.

The Keweenaw is best known for the Copper Harbor IMBA Silver-Level Ride Center which offers more than 37 miles of singletrack amid miles of untamed forestland dotted with unique geological features overlooking Lake Superior.  Biking experts from across the globe come to Copper Harbor to get tested by these gnarly, highly technical trails. But the Keweenaw MTB scene isn’t just for advanced riders. Singletrack trails at Swedetown Recreation Area, Michigan Tech, Churning Rapids are perfect for all-skill levels with varied terrain and great scenery! Or check out the hand-built technical trails among the mine ruins at Adventure Mine about 45 minutes southwest of Houghton.

Mountain Biking Trail Systems

Copper Harbor

Copper Harbor’s IMBA “Silver Level Ride Center” features a variety of gateway, cross-country, flow and gravity trails suitable for riders of all abilities. Over 50 miles of trails are easily accessible from anywhere in town, with principal trail-heads located at the Copper Harbor Community Building and the Keweenaw Mountain Lodge.  A bike shop, lodging, dining, campgrounds, shops and a micro-brewery are all nearby.  Designated as Human-Powered Trails, riders need to be aware of hikers and trail runners on the trails and yield to them accordingly.    

Riders will enjoy scenic, high-point vistas above Lake Superior with trails traversing through sections of old-growth forests, along inland lakes and streams and points of historical significance. Downhill enthusiasts may want to consider Keweenaw Adventure Company’s shuttle service where they will haul riders and their bikes to the top of the trail system for descents of up to 3 miles per run…a concept utilized by many ski areas, only using vans instead of a chairlift!

KEWEENAW MOUNTAIN LODGE

The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge is a destination resort for mountain bikers when they come to Copper Harbor. There are three trailheads on the property that access beginner, intermediate and advanced trails. There is also a bike wash, a tool station, and a pump station available for guests to use. Trek Full Suspension bikes and have multiple options for kids bikes are available for rent at their Outdoor Activity Center (OAC). The OAC hosts free weekly group rides on Friday and Saturdays. The beginner ride Saturday morning features coaching that covers fundamental mountain bike skills. Visit Keweenawmountainlodge.com for more information on equipment rentals, trails, and programs.

The Keweenaw Mountain Lodge offers family-friendly mountain bike trails for all skill levels.

COPPER HARBOR TRAIL RESOURCES:

• Printable Trails Map: Click here for a printable Copper Harbor Trails Map.
• Ride Planning: Copper Harbor Trails Club: All you need to know about the latest trail updates, events, and more.
• Visit Planning: CopperHarbor.org: Local Copper Harbor information, food, shopping and more.
• Shuttle Service: Keweenaw Adventure Company: Daily passes for shuttle service 11:30am - 5pm.
• Hardware: Keweenaw Adventure Company: Bike rentals, guide service and more.  
• Craft Brewery: Brickside Brewery: Michigan’s northernmost microbrewery located in Copper Harbor. 

CHURNING RAPIDS / MAASTO HIIHTO TRAIL SYSTEM

Churning Rapids is a trail system on private land and is open to the public for non-motorized use. Several loops offer distances around 20 miles of moderate to difficult trails featuring woods, bridges, bogs, streams, and fun singletrack. Other bikers, hikers and horses may be present…please stay off trails during early spring and other wet times of the year. Lodging, dining and services nearby.

There are three main trailheads: Christensen Road Tomasi road next to the Hancock DPW facility, and at the Hancock Driving Park/ Houghton County Fairgrounds. 

MORE CHURNING RAPIDS / MAASTO HIIHTO TRAIL RESOURCES

• Trail Map: Get your trail map here.
• Nearby Copper Mine: Take a tour of the historic Quincy Mine located just north of Hancock.  This mine was nicknamed “Old Reliable” because of its consistent production capacity during the region’s copper mining heyday. 

MICHIGAN TECH RECREATIONAL FOREST

This trail system offers two distinct trail areas with distances up to 18 miles of marked and unmarked single tracks and widened ski trails.  This is moderate difficulty with rolling hills.  Some ski trails are closed to biking, please obey signage.  Lodging, dining and services nearby.

Trail head is located off US-41 on the Michigan Tech campus.  Take MacInnes Drive/Sharon Avenue to trailhead or Sharon Avenue from M-26 to trailhead.

MORE MICHIGAN TECH TRAILS RESOURCES

• Trail Map:  Click here for a map of the Tech Trails.
• Hardware:  Visitors can rent bikes and helmets from the Michigan Tech Outdoor Adventure Program located on campus.  
• Brewery Recommendation:  Check out the Copper Country Brewery located inside The Library Restaurant in downtown Houghton.  

SWEDETOWN TRAILS

The Swedetown summer trail system consists of over 22 miles of purpose built single-track trails.  The terrain is rolling through the hardwood and plantation pine forest of the Swedetown Recreation Area.  The trails will challenge advanced riders to ride at a speed but are not overly technical, allowing beginning single-track riders to gain confidence and bike handling skills.  It is a system that is great for families allowing advanced riders to add harder loops to their ride and then catch up with those who bypass them.  The loops and segments allow users to customize their ride to fit time and ability.  Being centrally located to the other trail systems in the Keweenaw it makes a great warm up ride when visiting the area.  Trail runners have also been enjoying the single track trails as well.  

To reach the main trail head, take the Swedetown Road off of US-41 in Calumet to the Swedetown chalet/parking area.  Another trailhead is located off M-203, 1/8th mile north of the Cloverland Road intersection.  

MORE SWEDETOWN  TRAIL RESOURCES:

• Trail Map: Click here for a map of Swedetown Trails
• Visit Planning: Mainstreet Calumet: Local Copper Harbor information, food, shopping and more.
• Hardware: Cross Country Sporting Goods: Bike rentals, equipment and more.  Be sure to chat with Lori and Rick about the best trails.  
• Craft Brewery: Red Jacket Brewing Company (Michigan House Cafe): Calumet’s historic brewpub offering great beers and even better food.
• Copper Mining History: Don’t miss your chance to visit the Keweenaw National Historic Park while you’re in Calumet.  It’s located downtown near local dining and shopping.  

ADVENTURE MINE TRAILS

Adventure Mine now has approximately 4 miles of biking and hiking trails around the mine site. These trails weave around many of the old mine building foundations, and historic pits on the site. The trails are open year-round (except for the underground portion which is only available during the Miner’s Revenge Bike Race).

MORE ADVENTURE MINE TRAIL RESOURCES

• Trail Map:  Get your Adventure Mine trail map by clicking here.  
• Nearby Copper Mine:  Well, this one’s easy.  Trails are located on the site of the Adventure Mine which offers guided tours daily. 

CAN’T MISS KEWEENAW MOUNTAIN BIKING EVENTS

The Keweenaw has incredible trails, and each summer they play host to some of the best mountain biking events in the Midwest.  

• MAY: Ride the Keweenaw: Check out all the great trails and outdoor activities the Keweenaw has to offer!  Ride the Keweenaw celebrates and promotes the connection between a healthy, active lifestyle and the beautiful Keweenaw outdoors!  With group rides, the Lake Superior Gravity Series Enduro, hikes, runs, and more, this is a fun way to kick off another summer of excitement during your Memorial Day weekend.
• JULY: Miner’s Revenge (Greenland, MI) – The Miner’s Revenge Mountain Bike Race is typically held in July each year. The race circles around the mine site, up, over, and down Adventure Mountain and Greenland Bluff, through foundations, and then through the first level of the mine from the #1 adit to the #2 (approximately 2000 feet).
• AUGUST: Great Deer Chase (Calumet, MI) – Held in mid-August, the Great Deer Chase offers 15- and 30-mile races at the Swedetown Recreation Area in Calumet, MI.  
• AUGUST/SEPTEMBER: Copper Harbor Trails Fest (Copper Harbor, MI) – The best weekend of the year in Copper Harbor! Always Labor Day Weekend. Enduro, XC, DH, Junior Races, 10k Trail Run, Music, Beer, and Fun. Make your reservations early as the town fills up quickly for this annual celebration of trails. Get the latest on Copper Harbor Trails Fest.
• OCTOBER: Keweenaw Cyclocross (Copper Harbor, MI) – Yeah, we know, cyclocross isn’t mountain biking.  But it’s a heck of a lot of fun!  The Keweenaw Cyclocross brings two days of furious racing to Copper Harbor. Held in conjunction with the UPCROSS Points Series, prizes are awarded to overall weekend champions in five classes.

MOUNTAIN BIKE TRAILS & EQUIPMENT RENTALS

Ready to explore more trails, rides and gear? We got you covered. Checkout the list of riding locations and equipment rental partners below.