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Clinton River Trail – Features loop from Utica High School
15.1km
01:09
50m
50m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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By Fede from komoot
·
Updated June 1, 2026
If you've ever tried to plan mountain biking around Troy, Michigan, you know how overwhelming the options can be. With so many trails and paths, it's tough to tell which ones are genuinely worth your time and effort, and which are just filler. That's where we come in. Our komoot community has ridden, mapped, and reviewed these routes, so we've curated this guide to save you the guesswork and point you straight to the trails worth your legs.
Mountain biking around Troy offers a fantastic mix of riverfront paths, forested areas, and varied terrain, making it a great spot for riders of all levels. You'll find everything from easy, flowing loops to more demanding climbs, often winding through nature preserves and along scenic waterways like the Clinton River. The area is particularly enjoyable from spring through fall, when the trails are typically dry and the Michigan landscape is at its best.
If you only do one route, we'd start with the Clinton River Trail – Features loop from Sterling Heights Nature Preserve. At 15.2 miles (24.4 km) with 288 feet (88 m) of elevation gain, it's a moderate ride that offers a great feel for the region's character. For something a bit easier and family-friendly, the Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve – Dinosaur Hill loop from Rochester Hills is a fantastic choice, covering 19.3 miles (31.0 km) through varied terrain. With more than 600 mountain bikers having explored Troy with komoot, you're in good company.
Trail | Distance | Elevation | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton River Trail – Features loop from Utica High School | 15.1 km | 50 m | Hard |
| Clinton River Trail – Features loop from Utica | 15.9 km | 40 m | Moderate |
| Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve – Dinosaur Hill loop from Rochester Hills | 31.4 km | 110 m | Easy |
| Clinton River Bridge – Features loop from Utica High School | 31.6 km | 60 m | Moderate |
| Nice view on Creek – Mt. Sheldon loop from Rochester Hills | 40.7 km | 230 m | Moderate |
| Pines Trail – Mt. Sheldon loop from Opdyke / South (NB) | 50.9 km | 240 m | Hard |
| Pines Trail – Dinosaur Hill loop from Mill Creek Crossing | 31.0 km | 190 m | Hard |
| Normandy Oaks Park Pond loop from Troy | 27.7 km | 50 m | Easy |
| Secret Beach loop from Sterling Heights Nature Preserve | 39.0 km | 190 m | Hard |
| Paint Creek Trail – Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve loop from Barn Church | 66.5 km | 230 m | Moderate |
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Sign up for free15.1km
01:09
50m
50m
Hard mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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15.9km
01:06
40m
40m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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31.4km
01:45
110m
110m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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31.6km
02:05
60m
60m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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40.7km
02:47
230m
230m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
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50.9km
03:20
240m
240m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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31.0km
02:12
190m
190m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
View route
27.7km
01:24
50m
50m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.
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39.0km
02:34
190m
190m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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66.5km
03:48
230m
230m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
View route
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Clinton River Park follows along the banks of its namesake river and connects with Dodge Park, Donovan Park, and Farmstead Park. All together this park system has everything you need for a day in the outdoors. You'll find hiking and mountain biking trails, picnic pavillions, river access, and more.
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This is the main walking path through the park and you'll have great views of the river along the way. Keep your eyes open and there's a good chance to spot some wildlife that still calls the park home.
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This bridge spans the Clinton River and joins Dodge Park to Clinton River Park. Dodge Park has a playground, picnic area, and splash pad. While Clinton River park has hiking and biking trails through the woods.
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At over 850 acres, River Bends Park is big enough to have something for everyone. Within its boundaries you'll find picnic areas, hiking and biking trails, a disc golf course, playgrounds, volleyball courts, and more. Come for a walk and you might end up staying all day.
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Harding Green Space is a beautiful 26.8-acre natural preserve tucked between Harding Avenue and the Clinton River with scenic bluffs, hiking trails, dense woodlands, and a variety of local wildlife. it's an ideal spot for a quiet refuge in the heart of the city.
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Beautiful trail to run, you can see the leaves falling during the fall. Although snow and ice accumulates during the winter.
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There are over 40 mountain bike trails around Troy, offering a diverse range of experiences for cyclists. These include a mix of easy, moderate, and difficult routes.
The terrain around Troy is varied, featuring riverfront paths, forested areas, and hills. You'll find a mix of natural scenery, with some routes offering significant elevation changes and others providing more gentle rides. The region is shaped by the Hudson River and its tributaries, contributing to its diverse landscape.
Yes, there are 11 easy mountain bike trails around Troy. These routes are generally shorter and have less elevation gain, making them suitable for beginners or those looking for a more relaxed ride.
Absolutely. For experienced riders seeking a challenge, there are 14 difficult mountain bike trails around Troy. Routes like Pines Trail – Mt. Sheldon loop from Leach Road Trailhead Parking Lot, which is 24.1 miles long with significant elevation changes, offer a demanding experience. Another challenging option is the Pines Trail – Dinosaur Hill loop from Sterling Heights Nature Preserve, covering 33 miles with notable climbs.
The mountain bike trails around Troy are highly rated by the komoot community, with an average score of 4.2 stars from over 57 reviews. Riders often praise the blend of scenic riverfront paths, forested sections, and varied terrain that provides options for different skill levels.
While specific family-friendly mountain bike trails are not explicitly detailed in the guide, the presence of easy routes suggests options suitable for families. The Clinton River Trail – Features loop from Sterling Heights Nature Preserve, a 15.8-mile moderate trail, offers natural scenery along the river that could be enjoyable for families with some biking experience.
Yes, the region offers scenic views, particularly along the Hudson River. While mountain biking, you might encounter natural preserves and forested areas. For specific points of interest, consider exploring highlights like Paint Creek Trail or the Dinosaur Hill Nature Preserve, which are popular attractions in the area.
Troy and its vicinity are known for several waterfalls. While not directly on the mountain bike trails listed, you can find breathtaking waterfalls at Poestenkill Gorge Park (Mount Ida Falls) and Barberville Falls. These natural features offer picturesque settings for a post-ride visit.
Yes, many of the mountain bike routes around Troy are designed as loops. For example, the Bridge Over Paint Creek – Pines Trail loop from Auburn Highlands is a 30.9-mile route that takes you through forested sections and over water features, providing a complete circular experience.
While specific parking details for every trail are not provided, many routes start from designated trailheads or nature preserves, which typically offer parking facilities. For instance, the Pines Trail – Mt. Sheldon loop starts from the Leach Road Trailhead Parking Lot, indicating available parking at that location.
Yes, Troy's cycling infrastructure includes the Uncle Sam Bike Trail, which connects to the Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail (MHBHT). The MHBHT is part of New York's Empire State Trail, offering access to a much larger network for extended rides. You can find more information about the Uncle Sam Bike Trail on the City of Troy website.
The best time to go mountain biking in Troy, NY, generally aligns with spring, summer, and fall when the weather is mild and trails are dry. While specific seasonal considerations for Troy's mountain bike trails are not detailed, the region experiences all four seasons, so conditions can vary. Always check local weather and trail conditions before heading out.


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