Other Areas of Note

The following are trails and areas which are too small to merit an entire post. These routes have likely been discussed in conjunction with others, but they are conveyed here in greater detail.

State Street, www.cityworks.com

Kerrytown, Main Street, State Street

These aren't destinations so much as scenic routes to get to destinations. Main Street and State Street can become clustered with pedestrians during busy hours, so watch out for that. All of these areas, while heavy traffic (both human- and vehicle-derived) isn't uncommon, are littered with shops, restaurants, and people that are interesting to look at - or stop for, if you're looking for an excuses. They provide a visually entertaining means of getting to Argo and Bandemer, Barton, Bird Hills, and Bluffs.

Furstenburg, Jen Bizzotto

Furstenburg Park (near Gallup)

Furstenburg is a .5-1.0 mile offshoot from the Gallup trails, right where the bridge intersects with the paved path that goes toward Fuller Road. These trails are more of an out-and-back nature than that of a loop, though it is possible to come out on Fuller Road instead of going back into Gallup. Although short, the paths consist of dirt and boardwalk going through a wooded area. They're nice. Keep an eye out for fisher(wo)men and dog-walkers, as well as the occasional cyclist.

Matthaei Botanical Gardens (off Dixboro Road)

An out-and-back run, the Botanical Gardens lie about six miles from downtown Ann Arbor, and those six are mostly (unless you want to detour slightly and go on trails, the options of which can be identified using a map) roadside. The gardens themselves might be worth it, though: the trails are free to access and are open from dawn until dusk. You may, all the same, want to check the Visitor Center's hours so you can make sure to have access to restrooms and water. 

Border-to-Border Trail

Footpaths near Whitmore Lake Rd

A thirty-five mile bike trail extending between Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, this is wholly paved and flat. It cuts thruogh several parks (Argo, Bandemer, and Gallup included), staying close to the Huron River. The path doesn't often become too congested with bikes; there's plenty of room for runners who want to add a few additional miles to their route.

Footpaths near Whitmore Lake Road

Coming out of the parking lot of Bandemer Park, right where the cars are leaving the expressway, is Whitmore Lake Road. (It's the road that doesn't go in the direction of the boardwalk that keeps you by the river.) Going down this a few dozen yards, keep an eye out on the right side of the road for a path that cuts into a wooded area. The trails here are narrow, hilly, and fun - and incredibly muddy in the event of rain or snow. It's a very small area, containing probably less than one mile of trails, but you may extend it by going through an unlit tunnel (of the leaky, slightly creepy variety) and coming out into a meadow. The footpaths here are more or less straight and flat; eventually, they all lead to Pontiac Road, which feeds directly back toward the University of Michigan Hospital. Note: un-advisable in winter.