The Great Lake to Lake Trail Route 1 is a 275-mile trail route connecting South Haven on the west side of Michigan to Port Huron on the east side, forming a route between Lake Michigan and Lake Huron for cyclists and hikers. The route incorporates several preexisting rail trails and, although 78 percent complete, some on-road gaps are present. [1]
Originally known as the Airline Trail, the route was discussed in a master plan proposed by the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance in 2007. [2] As of 2011, the Michigan Department of Transportation and Michigan Department of Natural Resources were collaborating on planning a trail route between South Haven and Port Huron. [3] The Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, a trail advocacy organization comprised of nonprofit groups, governments, and businesses, also collaborated. Together, they designated five routes in different areas of the state, Route 1 being the southernmost. [1]
By 2019, wayfinding signage and trailside kiosks had been installed, and in September of 2019 the trail officially opened with an inaugural bike ride. [1]
As of 2025, efforts to close gaps in the trail continued, supported by funding from grants and philanthropic contributions. [4]
The Kal-Haven Trail in West Michigan is included in the route. It follows the rail bed of the former Kalamazoo and South Haven Railroad, later known as the Penn Central Railroad, [5] which was abandoned in 1973. [6] Between Jackson and Port Huron, the route follows the path of the Michigan Air Line Railway. [1]
The trail incorporates several independent trail segments that retain their names and are funded and maintained separately. The segments of the trail include: [7] [8]
