Biking, hiking, and walking trails 2019 & 2020
I am sharing a brief overview of some of the beautiful hiking and biking trails in Michigan that we have been on. If you want to visit trails inside Michigan state parks, the Recreation Passport entrance fee is currently being waived. The state of Michigan news release says that the $12 annual fee will be waived "For the duration of the COVID-19 situation."
I told my husband last year that we needed to set a goal to travel a portion of every trail in Michigan. He thinks I am nuts! I think we have many beautiful trails in this great state, and we are fortunate to be able to enjoy them.
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| Leelanau Trail between Suttons Bay and Traverse City |
Northern Michigan
The paved trail between Suttons Bay and Traverse City (
Leelanau Trail) is hilly in both directions. The distance is about 17 miles one-way. This is a beautiful trail, and it is often busy.
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| Stop on Leelanau Trail near DeYoung Natural Area |
Bus service, which accommodates transporting bicycles, is available between Traverse City and Suttons Bay, if you do not want to bicycle both ways. You can also connect to
TART Trail from Leelanau Trail in Traverse City. That trail is also paved, and passes by the state park.
Boardman Lake Trail downtown Traverse City, is an easy walk or bike ride of about 2 miles. It does not go around the southwest corner of the lake.
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| View of Harbor Springs before heading down to town |
A couple of our favorite trails in Petoskey are easily accessible from the state park:
Little Traverse Wheelway and
Petoskey to Mackinaw Trail. We have bicycled these trails as far as West Park, Harbor Springs, and north of Alanson. It is only a tad hilly, except for the section between Petoskey State Park and Harbor Springs; that section is very hilly! There are many stopping points along all sections of the trails in this area: nature preserves, benches with views, picnic areas, parks, and businesses. The water and waves in Lake Michigan have been high this past year, and sadly, a large section of Little Traverse Wheelway, between East Park and Magnus Campground, has collapsed into the lake.
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| View of Crystal Lake from Railroad Point Natural Area in Benzie County |
