MTB Project Logo
Climb
MTB
Hike
Trailrun
Ski
Limited Time70% OffonX Backcountry

Merrell Trail

RECOMMENDED ROUTE
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
 4.7 (160)
  1. Areas
  2. MI
  3. …Western Michigan
  4. …Grand Rapids
  5. Merrell Trail
Explore MTB in 3D
Use onX Backcountry to explore the terrain in 3D, view recent satellite imagery, and more. Now available in onX Backcountry Mobile apps! For more information see this post.
Previous Next

“A fast flow trail that will keep you smiling as you rip the berms, table tops & fast descents ”

scott tenCate
Your Rating: Rating Rating Rating Rating Rating      Clear Rating
Your Difficulty:
Your Favorites: Add To-Do · Your List
Google Map
Zoom in to see details
Map Key

8.3

Miles

13.4

KM

100%

Singletrack

937' 285 m

High

813' 248 m

Low

635' 193 m

Up

638' 194 m

Down

3%

Avg Grade (2°)

13%

Max Grade (7°)

Dogs Leashed

E-Bikes Unknown

Features Drops/Jumps

The trail is closed to all user group traffic within 24 hours of receiving .75" + of rain.

Overview

The Merrell Trail is located 8 miles North of downtown Grand Rapids. It's open to all user groups but was mechanically built to be optimized by mountain bikers.

Need to Know

The Merrell Trail is one way direction By Day. Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday follow RED Arrows in a counter clockwise direction. Tuesday, Thursday and Saturdays, Follow Yellow arrows in a clockwise direction. The trail is also open for night riding.

Description

The Merrell Trail is West Michigan's only true flow trail. It was designed by Alex Stewart of Spectrum Trail Building and Built by his crew and over 4,000 volunteer hours by the West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance. The trail is for intermediate and experienced riders as it has a number of fast descents, table top jumps, roots, rocks and elevated bridges and structures. All trail segments are designated intermediate with the exception of Sawtooth which is an advanced section of trail.

The Merrell Trail is well marked with arrows and intersection posts displaying marker numbers and maps.

Use the two connector trails between posts 10 & 11 and 12 & 13 to cycle the downhill trail segments on the East side of the trail network.

Contacts

Local Club: West Michigan Mountain Biking Alliance

Land Manager: Plainfield Township

Shared By:

scott tenCate with improvements by McKenna Heldt and 1 other
Full Details

Trail Ratings

  4.7 from 160 votes

#1

in Merrell Trail

#21

Overall
  4.7 from 160 votes
5 Star
76%
4 Star
19%
3 Star
3%
2 Star
1%
1 Star
0%
Recommended Route Rankings

#1

in Merrell Trail

#1

in Michigan

#21

Overall
201 Views Last Month
99,724 Since Sep 9, 2013
Intermediate/Difficult Intermediate/Difficult
0%
2%
46%
25%
26%
1%
Add a Photo

Photos

Through the Keyhole
Sep 2, 2017 near Rockford, MI
The devil dancer elevated bridge and boulder ride option
Sep 1, 2013 near Rockford, MI
Phaser at Merrell Trail, full. Red direction.
Jul 5, 2017 near Rockford, MI
Perfect Flow.
Jun 5, 2016 near Rockford, MI
Sawtooth
May 30, 2021 near Rockford, MI
Wood berm
May 30, 2021 near Rockford, MI

17 Comments

Sort by: Oldest Drop down
Newest Oldest Popular
loading

Weather

Current Trail Conditions

All Clear 15 days ago
Add Your Check-In

Check-Ins

Jul 26, 2024
Rob Thornburg
Rode it on 7/25 as well. Red direction is definitely more fun. Siren is a blast. Avoided Wylanda loop. Right hip felt better after iliacus release.
Jun 9, 2024
Lori Merriman
6mi
Jul 10, 2023
Alice Camy
Blue first time
Jul 6, 2023
Dave Gdn
My first time riding this trail, had a lot of fun—fare amount of claiming with very nice flowing descents, also lots of great rock features. 9.8mi — 1h 12m
Jun 13, 2023
Klein VerHill
Full loop plus extensions. Beat the rain and rescued a box turtle. Sad to see some wooden features removed 8.3mi
Nov 10, 2022
Leighton Kyle
Aug 19, 2022
Rob Thornburg
Rode it on a Friday, which is a great day for Siren. Phaser, not so much. I took the cut to the picnic area to do Siren a second time.
Jun 16, 2022
Steve Polkowski
Lot was closed when I went by around noon today. Sign said for maintenance.

Nearby Recommended Routes

Welcome

Join the Community! It's FREE

Already have an account? Login to close this notice.

Get Started