We have routes whether you ride a cruiser, a fixie, a tandem, or a mountain bike.
Cycling enthusiasts from all over the country visit Traverse City, including those who prefer paved routes or the picturesque roadways of the Leelanau and Old Mission Peninsulas.
It also has some of the best trails in the state and some of the events in the area.
Among the million and one reasons to visit the Grand Traverse Area, bike trails in Traverse City, Michigan, are gradually becoming a popular incentive to head north and get dirty.
Mountain biking is famous in the hills and valleys surrounding Traverse City practically all year.
Interesting about bike trails in Traverse City, Michigan
There are numerous dirt courses, including the Timber Ridge Resort trails.
And the local trail network is up there with the best!
The TART trademark trail is a 10.5-mile paved pathway that runs east-west through the city, while the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail is a paved trail that connects Glen Arbour and Empire. Both ways deliver stunning pictures of the lakefront and plenty of places to stop for a breather, picnic, or selfie.
Biking does not stop when winter comes. It gets even more fun — on a fat bike! Some identical routes that cyclists use in the spring, summer, and autumn are also accessible in the winter.
Details of the 15 best bike trails in Traverse City, Michigan
We’ve listed some famous bike trails in Traverse City, Michigan, to provide an easy guide to ride your bikes.
1. VASA Singletrack
Over 75 miles of unmarked mountain bike trails are accessible from the VASA Singletrack, Vasa Pathway, and Sand Lakes Quiet Area.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources requires that these trails be designated.
Ride from the Vasa and search for unmarked intersections to access these paths. Trailforks and Strava are great resources for connecting these unmarked portions.
Address: 5450 Supply Rd, Traverse City, MI 49696, United States
2. Natural Area at the Village at Grand Traverse Commons
The Village at Grand Traverse Commons is among the top bike trails in Traverse City, Michigan, and has an extensive trail system.
Bike lovers have been rising to the summit of the hill for years, but with the recent surge in mountain biking popularity, there’s rarely a moment when you won’t see a few other bikers.
It’s a short circle with steep, demanding climbs with sights of West Bay and screaming-fast drops back to the Village, where many coffee shops, bakeries, and other shops provide a perfect location to refuel after the passage.
Address: Red Dr, Traverse City, MI 49684, United States
3. Boyne Valley Trailway
Though a trail along the former Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena Railroad had been planned since at least 2000, it took two decades to build the path.
The Petoskey Area, home of the Little Traverse Wheelway, now has an extra 6.3 miles of paved rail trail thanks to continuous citizen-led initiatives.
The Boyne Valley Trailway connects Boyne City and Village Boyne Falls along the retired railway right-of-way that linked the two municipalities.
The trail starts on East Main Street in Boyne City, about a mile from downtown, near the Municipal Airport.
Address: Municipal Airport – N 98, 1040 E Main St, Boyne City, MI 49712, United States
4. Boardman Lake Loop Trail
The 4-mile Boardman Lake Loop Trail circles Boardman Lake and is one of the best bike trails in Traverse City, Michigan, south of downtown Traverse City.
The east side is densely forested, with gradual turns and a mix of concrete, boardwalk, and gravel surfaces.
The southern end has two bridges over the Boardman/Ottway River and an extended boardwalk spanning Boardman Lake Cove with bump-out areas for relaxation and entertainment.
You can find lookout piers, fishing decks, and kayak launches on the western side.
The curve provides convenient access to the library, parks, residential subdivisions, and commercial sectors, including Oryana, the Filling Station, and Right Brain Brewery.
Address: Traverse City, MI 49686, USA
5. Boardman/Ottaway River Trail
The Boardman/Ottaway River route is now 24 miles long, including 7 miles of a newly constructed path connecting Mayfield Pond Park to the North Country Trail.
We are also excited to announce the completion of a trail connecting the Boardman River Nature Centre and Cass Road.
They are working to improve the trail that connects Mayfield Pond Park to Beitner Road in Hoosier Valley.
Lakes, rivers, boardwalks, bridges, stunning panoramas, forests, and animals are all available to trail users.
The trail is for backpacking, biking, trail running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, bird viewing, photography, and wildlife observation.
Address: Sylvania, OH 43560, United States
6. Vasa Pathway
Vasa Pathway is among the best bike trails in Traverse City, Michigan, with many loops (3K, 5K, 10K, and 25K) that provide users with many obstacles, from easy to challenging.
The Vasa Pathway is popular among cross-country skiers, runners, hikers, mountain bikers, walkers, and naturalists.
TART Trails maintains and grooms the Vasa Pathway with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Grand Traverse County.
It hosts the North American Vasa cross-country ski event, and people use a stretch of the trail in the annual Iceman Cometh mountain biking race.
The Michigan DNR owns the Vasa Pathway, groomed by TART Trails under a contract with the MDNR. On DNR property, you can go hunting. During hunting seasons, use caution and wear blaze orange or bright colors.
Address: Michigan, USA
7. Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART)
This 10.5-mile-long, paved, non-motorized trail travels east and west through Traverse City and into Leelanau County (on the Leelanau Trail segment) and is a popular cross-town route for bikes, in-line skaters, walkers, and joggers.
The Grand Traverse Bay Trail runs through downtown and along Grand Traverse Bay.
It is readily available from many spots, and several nearby bike stores rent bikes and in-line skates.
There are a variety of eateries and sights along the path where you may get a bite to eat.
Address: Michigan, USA
8. Buffalo Ridge Trail
The Buffalo Ridge Trail now connects The Village at Grand Traverse Commons to Traverse City West Middle School and the YMCA via the TBA-ISD main office and conference center, Historic Barns Park, and the Botanic Garden.
When built, the projected 4.5-mile trail will connect Traverse City’s west and southwest sections.
The Buffalo Ridge Trail is one of the top bike trails in Traverse City, Michigan, by the City of Traverse City within city limits and by Garfield Township outside city limits. TART Trails collaborates on trail improvements with the City and Township.
Address: Michigan 49684, USA
9. Muncie Lakes Pathway
This 9.8-kilometer circle trail near Traverse City, Michigan, is a must-see. You can finish this route in an average of 2 hours and 6 minutes.
It is a popular trail for birding, cross-country skiing, and hiking, but it is very peaceful during the day.
The route is available all year and is a great place to come. Dogs are permitted but must be on a leash.
Address: Ranch Rudolf Rd, Traverse City, MI 49696, USA
10. Williamsburg Single Track Loop
Visit this 12.6-kilometer circular path near Traverse City, Michigan. It takes about 2 hours and 32 minutes to accomplish this trip, which is generally considered easy.
It is one of the bike trails in Traverse City, Michigan, offering hiking and mountain biking tracks, yet you can still find privacy during quieter times of the day.
Because the track is not designated, keep your map open. This trail intersects with a few different paths making it easy to become lost.
The only criticism is the difficulty transitioning from the gravel road to the route into the woods near the west end.
Address: 5537 Centerville Rd, Williamsburg, VA 23188, United States
11. Palmer Woods Forest Reserve
Palmer Woods is an area to consume the day in any season. The contiguous hardwood forest of the Forest Reserve runs about two miles north to south.
The 10-mile hiking/cross-country skiing trail system here is still in the works; you can add more trails as time passes. There are three main alternatives.
Two of these are accessible from the Wheeler Road kiosk. The 1.8-mile “Loop Trail” is tough to pass than the “Price Valley Trail.”
The “Price Valley Trail” is 1.7 miles long (one way) and ends at Darwin Road, a seasonal, unplowed road. The trail is level to slightly rolling, with a steady elevation to Darwin Road.
Inspect the lovely “Darwin Loop Trail,” which we added in 2017 after we purchased an additional 14 acres.
Address: 4715-5999 S Wheeler Rd, Maple City, MI 49664, United States
12. Lost Lake and Dubonet Loop
Investigate this 10.1-kilometer loop trail near Traverse City, Michigan. It takes about 1 hour and 50 minutes to accomplish this moderate route.
This track is among the bike trails in Traverse City, Michigan, perfect for birding, hiking, and mountain biking. You won’t see many other people while exploring.
Be prepared for a lot of bugs in the wooded areas. Otherwise, it’s a pleasant stroll, particularly around the lake.
The course trail has a lot of logging. It was better once we arrived at Lake Trails. I’d probably begin at a different trailhead.
Address: 1120-1158 Gonder Rd, Interlochen, MI 49643, United States
13. Big M Trail
The Manistee National Forest’s Big M Trail is ideal for cross-country skiing, trail mountain biking, and hiking.
There are four sections, each with a different difficulty level, from easiest to most difficult.
The trail system winds through forests and logged stands, and the loop is ungroomed in the winter. Visit the Manistee National Forest’s map page online for a map.
Take State Route 55/Caberfae Highway east from Manistee or west from Cadillac to Udell Hills Road and turn south.
You’ll come to a large bend in the road to the west, followed by another turn to the south. Look for Forest Road 8234 on the right after the second bend. You can take it to the trailhead parking lot.
Address: Manistee, MI 49660, United States
14. Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail
The Heritage Trail in the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore is a 43.5-kilometer walkway from the park’s northern end to roughly 36.5 km west of Traverse City in the community of Empire.
The park is a nationwide gem, with deep forests, vast beaches, and stunning bluffs towering 137 meters above the Great Lake.
The road is ideal for succumbing to its enthralling spell.
The Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail’s newest segment features 182 meters of boardwalk over wetlands connecting hikers to the Port Oneida Rural Historic District. It is a 1,214-hectare farming area that is as lovely today as it was in the early 1900s.
Address: Michigan, USA
15. Leelanau Trail
The 17-mile Leelanau Trail connects Traverse City to Suttons Bay via a paved off-road path.
One of the best bike trails in Traverse City, Michigan, runs through the remainder of Leelanau County’s historic railway lines and contains magnificent forests, farms, vineyards, lakes, and ponds.
TART Trails, Inc. owns and operates the Leelanau path, the only path in the TART Trails network.
It grew out of a community that still supports it now.
Throughout the spring, summer, and fall, the all-volunteer Leelanau Trail Maintenance Crew works on ongoing upgrades to offer trail users a world-class experience.
TART Trails volunteers manicure the Leelanau Trail in the winter as conditions allow, and it contains conditions suitable for classic and skate skiing, fat biking, and snowshoeing.
The trail is groomed from the DeYoung Natural Area to the 4th Street trailhead.
Address: Empire Township, MI 49630, USA
FAQs
What is Traverse City’s longest mountain bike trail?
Vasa Path is Traverse City’s longest mountain bike path, according to AllTrails.com. The length of this trail is estimated to be 42.3 km.
When is the best time to visit Traverse City?
Cherry Capital Airport (TVC) in Traverse City is a full-service airport with airline service to 300 domestic and international destinations.
Traverse City’s hiking and biking paths are best to explore in the spring, summer, and autumn.
Which Traverse City mountain bike trail has the elevation gain?
In Traverse City, Michigan, the Vasa track has the highest height rise of any mountain riding track, at 441 meters. Muncie Lakes Pathway, with 108 m of elevation rise, is the second biggest ascent for mountain biking routes.
Final words
We’ll help you locate the perfect spots to ride – and the proper gear – no matter what or how you ride.
Northern Michigan is home to fantastic riding, from bike Many trails in Traverse City, Michigan, lanes to exhilarating mountain biking throughout the region. Professional riders, families, and racers can all find the perfect ride for their skill level and attractions.
Traverse Area Recreational Trails and the City of Traverse City manage many of Traverse City’s asphalt trails. These tracks are due to decades of effort and collaboration in Northern Michigan to prioritize non-motorized commuting and enjoyment.