Belle Isle now has something it never had before: a dedicated 5.8-mile path that loops the entire island. The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trail keeps walkers, runners, and cyclists fully separated from car traffic, and it doubles as the southern starting point of the Iron Belle Trail, Michigan’s planned 2,000-mile route to the western Upper Peninsula. For a free ride with skyline and river views on both sides, nothing else in Detroit compares.
Here is how to ride it, what you will pass, and how it fits the island’s bigger glow-up. For the rest of a perfect day there, see our Belle Isle improvements guide.
At a Glance
| The trail | Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trail, a 5.8-mile loop around Belle Isle |
| What it is | A dedicated path for walkers, runners, and cyclists, separate from vehicle traffic |
| Opened | September 12, 2025, after a $10.5 million build |
| The bigger network | Southern end of the 2,000-mile Iron Belle Trail, now about 70 percent complete statewide |
| Cost to use | Free; walkers and cyclists enter the island at no charge |
| Backers | The DNR with the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation and the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance |
| Heads up | The Scott Fountain is closed for restoration until around May 2027 |
What the Loop Is Like
The route circles the island’s edge, so the scenery does the pacing. On the south side, riders face the Detroit skyline across the river. On the north, the view flips to the Canadian shoreline and the freighters working the channel. Along the way, the loop passes the beach, the Anna Scripps Whitcomb Conservatory grounds, the aquarium, and Cricket Field.
Because the path is dedicated, families can ride it without sharing pavement with cars. At 5.8 miles, the full loop is a comfortable hour on foot at a brisk pace, or an easy 30 to 40 minutes on a bike with stops for photos. There is no charge to walk or ride on, though drivers still need a Michigan Recreation Passport for the bridge.
The Start of a 2,000-Mile Trail
The loop carries a bigger title than most park paths. It is the official southern terminus of the Iron Belle Trail, the statewide network that will one day run from Belle Isle to Ironwood at the far end of the Upper Peninsula. The system is about 70 percent complete, according to the DNR, and the Belle Isle segment closed one of its most visible gaps.
The $10.5 million project came together through the DNR, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and the Michigan Trails and Greenways Alliance, and it opened with a ribbon-cutting on September 12, 2025. In other words, a Detroit ride now starts the same trail that ends near Lake Superior.
Plan Around the Construction
One landmark sits behind fencing for now. The James Scott Fountain closed in 2025 for a $6 million restoration, with new plumbing, structural repairs, and LED lighting, and the DNR expects it to flow again around May 2027. The work zone does not block the loop, but fountain photos will have to wait.
The island around the trail keeps improving, too. The DNR and the Belle Isle Conservancy are pursuing a resident-shaped 10-year plan that starts with a bigger beach, and attendance keeps setting records. The trail is the piece you can enjoy today.
Why It Matters
Detroit’s park story is often told in renderings and someday plans. This one is finished, free, and open right now. A safe loop around the city’s favorite island turns a drive-through park into a destination you can move through under your own power, and it plugs Detroit into a trail network that spans the state. Pack a water bottle, check the forecast, and go. Follow RAW’s Things to Do coverage for more free days out.
Belle Isle Trail FAQ
How long is the Belle Isle bike trail?
The Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Trail runs 5.8 miles in a loop around the island on a dedicated path, fully separated from vehicle traffic.
What is the Iron Belle Trail?
Michigan’s planned 2,000-mile trail network from Belle Isle to Ironwood in the western Upper Peninsula. The Belle Isle loop is its southern starting point, and the system is about 70 percent complete.
When did the Belle Isle trail open?
The 5.8-mile loop opened with a ribbon-cutting on September 12, 2025, after a $10.5 million build backed by the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation.
Is the Belle Isle trail free?
Yes. Walkers and cyclists enter the island free; vehicles need a Michigan Recreation Passport.
Is the Scott Fountain open?
No. It is closed for a $6 million restoration and is expected to run again around May 2027, according to the DNR. The trail loop stays open.
Published July 17, 2026. Details come from the Michigan DNR, the Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. Foundation, and local reporting; check conditions before you ride.