Explore the best rated trails in Traverse City, MI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Boyne Valley Trailway and Buffalo Ridge Trail . With more than 18 trails covering 458 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I highly recommend this trail. We broke our tour into two legs. Leg one from Magnus Park to Harbor Springs. Leg two from West End to Charlevoix. Wonderfully maintained, clearly marked, with lots of little detours to the coastline. The only thing we didn’t like was riding along US31 in the bike lane without a physical barrier…but that’s just us. Otherwise a fantastic trail.
Big rapids to Reed city is only good for walking, for biking it is very rough I don't recommend. Starting in Reed City going North is much smoother.
Drove to Frankfort from Cadillac and parked. Easy to hop on the bike trail. Rode to Beulah for lunch and also explored along Crystal Lake. Beautiful ride. Thank you to Madeline Krentz for the recommend.
Started in Empire and rode a few miles or so past Glen Arbor, where it turned to loose pea stone. Wife wasn’t crazy about that so we turned around. We spotted a porcupine strolling down the trail the first day and a bobcat the second. A truly amazing and beautiful trail!
Very nice for walking and biking. First aprox. 10 miles starting from Frankfort are well maintained and are good for regular bikes. The last half of the trail is only recommendable for mountain bikes.
This is a smooth, curvy, hilly, leafy, over-all splendid trail that is extraordinarily well-maintained and a joy to ride. We rode Class 1 pedal-assist (no throttle) Gazelle e-bikes from the Empire trailhead (new pit toilet at parking lot, no water), just north of Empire, to Glen Arbor, 20.1 miles round trip. The trail continues beyond Glen Arbor. There are some significant uphill stretches (right out of Empire for 2.5 miles) and one major 12% grade long hill. On our e-bikes, these were just fun. The section from Glen Arbor north, which we road on a different trip, is much flatter. The return trip from Glen Arbor to the Empire trailhead is much more downhill, with the exception of the very steep and long (12% grade) hill I mentioned above. Signage on the trail forewarns you about upcoming curves and hills. Be prepared for big winds off the lake--we experienced gusts up to 28 mph.
Leaving from Empire trailhead, the trail goes through densely shaded areas to brilliantly sunny stretches by the Dune Walk and up to Glen Haven, where there are public bathrooms/changing rooms, fresh water, and a stunning beach on Lake Michigan. The path continues through the national park campground and then through a forested area (with signs indicating recent black bear sightings) and then into Glen Arbor. Lots of places to buy lunch in Glen Arbor, although we could find only one public restroom by the Farmer's Market and were not able to find a park with picnic tables. There's an IGA grocery store just as you come into town.
We rode on a Tuesday morning in mid-June and there were only a few other riders on the trail. Highly recommend a stop at Grocer's Daughter Chocolates and Gelato in Empire afterwards--best strawberry rhubarb sorbetto I've ever tasted!
We've ridden more than 75 trails and this is one of our all-time favorites. Next time, we'll ride from beginning to end!
Really nice trail—much of it along the water. About 50% shaded. We rode from Frankfort to about 3 miles beyond Beulah towards Thompsonville. We have 1.75 inch width wheels so crushed limestone and gravel two-track sections were not a problem. Asphalt section was remarkably smooth! Stopped at a small park with great shelter at the Beulah beach on the way back. Bring your swimsuit! This was about 24 miles round trip. Scenery was varied, and the trail was pleasantly curvy. Highly recommend!
This is a very nice walk, mostly on boardwalk Great birding opportunity. From the Arcadia /Rt 22 trailhead you can go about one-half mile then the trail is closed Apr 15 to Jul 15 to protect nesting habitat. Still a very lovely walk. You can enter from the St. Pierre Rd trailhead and go less than a quarter mile.
I walked, and occasionally ran, the trial northbound over four days. This is easily one of the most beautiful rail trails I've ever traveled and is one of Michigan's real jewels. The trail quickly becomes rural after leaving Grand Rapids, and then just gets steadily better and better scenery wise (this assumes that you love Northwoods). People debate where the Northwoods begin, and you can form your own opinion on your journey north. I'd argue that Big Rapids is the line. And speaking of, don't forget to celebrate 50 miles covered there at the Sawmill, right on the trailside.
The only downside to the trail is the fact that it's paved (excepting a few miles between Howard City and Big Rapids). When walking 25+ miles a day, the surface of the trail becomes a major factor. Crushed limestone is much kinder to the pedestrian body than pavement. Pavement also encourages folks to ride their ebikes at 30mph, unfortunately, making the trail more like a road near the towns. But that drawback aside, I'll certainly be back to do this trail again.
I decided to take my road bike for a trip from Cadillac down to Big Rapids where the trail is closed for paving and back to Cadillac. I agree with Cecelia's review from Sep, 23 in that the asphalt paving is old and bumpy between Reed City and Big Rapids. Also the trail was closed between Hibma Rd south to Cleveland Rd in Tustin. The detour is gravel roads that are loose sand and very difficult to navigate with 32mm or thinner tires!
With the exception of the portion of trail north of Reed City that runs along Hwy 131 the the scenery is awesome running through rivers, hills, valleys, farms and small towns.
I am wondering if there's anyone assigned to blow the trail clean from leaves, twigs and branches? There were quite a bit of that along the way. In comparison to the Macomb/Orchard trail for example which is very well maintained all year round it seemed a bit unkempt.
Overall it is an awesome trail that I hope is better maintained than what I experienced on my recent trip and look forward to returning next year when the whole trail will be paved.
Do you know how much I love the white pine trail? So much! Particularly, between Cadillac and Reed City. Such beautiful woods, marshes, streams, farms, wide open spaces, snakes, turtles, frogs, birds, eagles, hawks, cows, horses, pileated woodpeckers, indigo buntings, and so many other friends. I am a cyclist, runner, and hiker. I've had some of my best runs, hikes, and bike rides on this trail. Chi miigwech ~ thank you!
Also, horses are not allowed but I have seen horse poop between Tustin and LeRoy. I supposed the Amish community use the trail but they can also use the roads. I hope this gets better enforced. As the signs note along the trail equestrian, snowmobile, and motorized vehicles are prohibited. You may see a DNR vehicle from time to time.
I agree with drwelldog's review from July 2022. The WPT from Cadillac to Reed City is heaven on earth! However, from Reed City to Big Rapids it is paved but bumpy, worn, rough, and there are some potholes. I usually ride between 13-15 mph so I had to slow down to not hit bump after bump. I know a section south is being paved but looks like this section could use an update. The bushes also need to be trimmed back so you can better see through the foliage. We want the woods to be as they are but also safety is key, especially for solo riders.
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