Explore the best rated trails in Charlevoix, 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 16 trails covering 327 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 happened to grow up within earshot of trains that used to travel this route as part of the Soo Line, and had wanted to return as a retiree to bike what is now a recreational trail. Its primary use is for motorized vehicles, but I happened to ride the segment from St. Ignace to Allenville during a weekday in October and only ran into a couple of dudes trapping beaver. I took this trail north, then returned on the Castle Rock Road, which made for a really nice ride. There is a lot to see if you like a variety of landscapes. I even saw a pair of Trumpeter Swans on Hay Lake.
I used my Trek Fuel EX MTB for this ride, but only because I planned on also riding Valley Spur near Munising on this trip. I could have easily used either my Salsa Fargo (29x2.2") or All-City Mach King (700x38c), but I'd probably not do it with anything less than 38c tires.
Beautiful trail as others have written. But the person who wrote about missing signs around Glen Arbor is spot-on. Glen Arbor is a fine tourist town with plenty of places to eat, but also a lot of pedestrians and traffic you need to watch out for - which makes it even harder to know which streets to turn on. Larger and more plentiful signs would be helpful.
Great trail. Ridden it several times but earlier this month there was a sign posted "no e-bikes". This was not a hand-made sign - a permanent one Just south of the Petoskey park. We ran into another couple who was forced to turn around and told "ride on the road". We didn't feel like having a confrontation so we just headed back to Charlevoix. I'm not sure I can recommend this area of the trail due to the signage. Otherwise, avoiding this, it is a beautiful and well maintained trail.
Rode to this trail Vanderbilt to Wolverine and from Indian River to Cheboygan.The trails are crushed limestone and well maintained.Beautiful scenery.
Rode this trail above 2 days.Although part of the trail was washed into the Little Traverse bay a detour is provided. This is one of the nicest trails I have ridden in Michigan.
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.
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!
Trail good for orv's Pot holes and rough gravel.Turned around after a mile out.
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!
Cycling between Port Oneida and Good Harbor is beautiful and less touristy. If you want to do some dirt road cycling there are a few detours you can take just off the trail. Love this trail!
I’ve ridden this trail many times from Topinabee to Wolverine and back; topinabee to cheboygan and back. Great trail for gravel bike. Well maintained, safe, and very scenic.
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