The Hidden Loop at Lake Orion — A True Old-School MTB Ride

Lake Orion High School MTB Trail Guide | Hidden 13-Mile Loop from Bald Mountain South Join Byron Goggin from MTB Trailview as he uncovers one of Southeast Michigan’s hidden mountain biking gems — the Lake Orion High School Trail. This little-known route forms an approximately 13-mile loop starting from the Bald Mountain South main parking lot, connecting through the Lake Orion trail system, and looping back for a full adventure ride. This trail can be tricky to find on your first visit. To access the Lake Orion HS trail, you’ll start on the Bald Mountain South trail via the Greenshield Road entrance and follow the network until you reach the LO trailhead. From there, it’s all about tracking the green arrows — which can be confusing and easy to miss. This video gives you a clear visual guide to help eliminate the guesswork. The ride features rocky sections, roots, punchy climbs, and rolling terrain—a true old-school, wooded mountain bike experience. While riders often compare it to top SE Michigan trails like Highland Recreation, the Potawatomi Trail, and Holly Recreation, this loop stands out because it’s less traveled and far less worn in, giving it that classic “backcountry” feel without leaving the metro area. If you're looking for a fresh Michigan MTB adventure, this guide will show you exactly what to expect and how to find the trail with confidence. 00:00 Video Introduction 00:33 Introduction to Guinness Bikers 01:50 Where to find Bald Mountain South trail head, that leads to LO trail / explanation of trail 04:07 Beginning of Lake Orion High School single track trail 07:22 Start of some key trail directions 09:19 Start of deeper woods riding 12:56 Technical area 16:22 Rider Down! 18:15 Great area for ups and downs 24:08 Technical downhill turn into uphill 27:05 Trail split / home or more 31:32 Junction to Bald Mountain South trail 32:00 Final thoughts Special Thanks to the Guinness Bikers for all they do in SE Michigan, both on and off the trails.