Featured Trail: Hart – Montague
April, 2008
Silver Lake Sand Dunes Area is a Michigan beach town located along Lake Michigan’s sweeping shoreline just a few miles west of US-31 between Muskegon and Pentwater and just a few hours from Chicago, Detroit, Traverse City and the Mackinac Bridge.
Plan a day and enjoy one of the true gems of West Michigan…the Hart Montague Trail. Hart-Montague Trail State Park is a paved, 22-mile trail formerly used by trains that passes through rural, forested lands. Scenic overlooks and picnic areas are located along the trail. Beginning in Hart and ending in Montague with access points in Mears, Shelby, New Era you can bike or hike this scenic trail through woods, orchards and stop along the way for an ice cream cone. Enjoy wildlife, birds, fresh air and great exercise. Nourishment stops along the way include: Country Dairy, 1.5 miles north of New Era (right on the trail) for a true country experience, great food, bottomless glass of cold fresh chocolate milk, and ice cream (closed Sundays); the brand new Mears Center, 0.5 mile north of trail in Mears, restaurant, general store, and ice cream; and downtown Hart, 1 mile north of Polk Road, choice of 5 restaurants including the famous LaFiesta (Tex-Mex), Sunshine Café on Hart Lake, and ice cream shop.
Bike rentals are available in Mears, and be sure to stop in the Open Hearth Grille & Bar to sample a burger you’ll not soon forget. The 6 miles south of Mears is very scenic! |
