The Hart-Montague is the 22 mile paved result of Michigan’s first rails to trails initiative. The trail is typical of all rail trails in my experience. There is almost no perceptible grade for it’s entirety and the terrain is mostly wooded excepting several sections of agriculture and village centers. Eateries with access to trailside land distract riders with signs advertising charming establishment names and all manner of people fuel. Among these, one farm store and deli about halfway along the trail distinguishes itself with a well kept property, hayride style farm tours, and a sustaining clientele of which bikers are only a minority. There are much appreciated restroom facilities at multiple points along the trail.
After a morning swim in the lake and a trail walk at the camp, we made our way to the Montague trailhead, within sight of the world’s largest weathervane. It was an overcast morning with intermittent rainshowers. These conditions kept the trail mostly quiet and I rolled through multiple mile sections without encountering a road crossing or another human. Of the towns along the trail, I most enjoyed discovering New Era, home of signs announcing “Welcome to New Era” and the site of the former “Plan B Bar & Grill” Must be Michigan’s most progressive town… The northern end of the trail itself is unremarkable. A path continues a mile further to downtown Hart, but having no business there I turned around and made my way back.