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Novi Tree Farm
46 reviews
3.63 of 5
Set on a 500-acre parcel bought by the City of Novi, the system combines dense hardwoods, open meadows, and an old tree nursery. An existing system of hike/ski trails has been supplemented by new technical singletrack created by the MMBA. Hunting is not permitted, making it an attractive choice in the fall.
The trail is blazed with yellow directional arrows and white "Mountain Bike Trail" placards. Most of the technical riding occurs in the first and last couple of miles.
More than anything, this trail needs RIDERS. Steady usage will smoothe and define the tread, AND keep the City of Novi from turning it into a GOLF COURSE. That option is being heavily promoted, and could easily happen if usage is low. SAVE A TRAIL-- RIDE NOVI!
From I-96, exit 162 (Novi Road), north on Novi Road 1.6 miles to traffic light at Old Novi Road, turn left. Proceed 0.1 mile to South Lake Shore Drive, turn left, then 0.4 mile to Lakeshore Park. Parking and trailhead are on left, beach on right. There is a gated 0.3-mile access road to the trailhead in the far left (southeast) corner of the main parking lot. Park in the main lot if gate is closed. At end of access road is a picnic shelter, portable toilet (in season) and trailhead sign with map.A second access, with parking, is planned along the southern boundary (12 Mile Road) in 1999, after completion of sewer project. This will be free.Access through Lakeshore Park is free for Novi residents, fee for non-residents between Memorial and Labor Days.
Summary: This trail rips. I don't know what to say about all of those people saying it is 3/5. I can assure you they are not going fast enough. This trail has awesome flow, you can fly through it, but you do have to push yourself and learn the trail.
a good amount of technical features scattered about (big elevated skinny and lots of others, crater, 3 ft drop, probably the hardest public stuff your going to find in SE MI. Pump track is fun, I have no problem flying around it. I don't think it is too tight at all. It does need to be ridden more.
What it lacks in elevation it makes up for in built features and fast flowing single track you can really carve around on.
Recommended Route: The signs are easy enough to follow...
Other recommended trails in the same area: Holdridge, stony creek, highland, a2 dirt jumps, maybury state park
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Summary: A great resource near Detroit in the City of Novi, just north of 12 Oaks Mall. Sure, there are better trails out there but the location is hard to beat. Tight, technical sections at the beginning and end of the 10 mile trail. Ignore prior reviews that complain about the signage, there's plenty of it and it's impossible to get lost here. A great place for a beginner, provided you skip the technical stuff for your first few rides.
On the down side, the course lacks the "flow" you find on other trails (Maybury, for instance). This is hard to describe, but you'll know what I mean when you ride it. The tight sections are difficult to build a rhythm and some of the less challenging sections are just plain boring. Overall, the course is too flat for my tastes and it's hard to build a real aerobic lather here. On the other hand, if you like tight, slow turns between trees you'll love this place.
Finally, watch out for joggers running in BOTH directions, many wearing headphones. I almost collided with one at a blind corner near a bridge and almost wound up in the drink!
Other recommended trails in the same area: Maybury, Island Lake
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Summary: This trail is good for beginers. Saving grace is the few small log rides and the "bowl" at the end. The pump track is more like a BMX track for lawn gnomes, c'mon guys and gals get the spacing long enough to actually pump.
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Summary: This is s great trail -- Milage is up to 10 miles now, new signage has been added and most of the areas of the trail that were 2-way traffic are now 1-way. The trail is one of the best marked ones in the area -- look for the yellow arrows. A lot has gone into make this is great trail. Nothing is too techinical about it, the trail is tight, with tight turns, a few log ramps, the Crater, a few rock gardens. Check it out -- it will help your handling skills and give your lungs a great workout if you push yourself.
Recommended Route: Take the Novi road exit from I-96, go north -- take a left at the 4th stoplight ( i forgot the name of the road.) Once on that road take it to Lakeshore drive (first stop light) -- Turn left on Lakeshore (the Lakeshore grill will be on your right) --- Take lakeshore drive maybe a 0.5 half mile and the park entrance will be on the left. You will have to pay to park from May 31 to Labor day, but if you come after 6p.m. then there should be no attendant on duty.
Other recommended trails in the same area: pontiac lake, highland, pickney rec
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Summary: Trail was better than the last time we were there (I forgot when) but still it NEEDS MORE SIGN!!! Plus you have to pay $4 everytime you go there for being not a State Park .
Other recommended trails in the same area: Island lake, Pontiac trail and Maybury trail can be good alteratives
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