The 15-mile Leelanau Trail presents two distinct adventures along the former Leelanau Scenic Railroad line. Farm fields are followed by lush woods, and smooth cruising finishes off country rambling as the trail stretches south from Suttons Bay to Traverse City.
You can pick up the trail in the village of Suttons Bay at 1st Street and Cedar Street, though the first trailhead is a short distance ahead at 4th Street. Public restrooms are available seasonally at the village marina. Year-round you can use the restrooms at Inland Seas Education Association, conveniently located at trails end across SR22 next to Boones restaurant. There's plenty of bike parking available at the lower level entrance.
Part of this trail is pure country: wide open vistas, rolling hills, picturesque fruit orchards, working farms and peaceful meadows. The trailhead at Fouch Road conveniently connects to hiking trails on 145 acres of farmland owned by Leelanau Conservancy. Drinking water, a parking lot and restrooms are available.
Continuing toward Traverse City, you'll find lush forest canopies arching over the rail-trail, and you can feast your eyes on gorgeous greenery and an aquatic medley of streams, lakes and ponds. The trailhead at Cherry Bend Road just before you reach Traverse City is the trail's official endpoint, marked by a historic caboose from the Leelanau Scenic Railroad. In summer portable toilets are located along the trail at the DeYoung Natural Area, about 1 mile north of the Cherry Bend trailhead.
Just northwest of Traverse City, at SR 72 and SR 22, you can connect with the
Traverse Area Recreation Trail and continue 11 miles through Traverse City and along Traverse Bay.
To start at Traverse City Cherry Bend Park, from Traverse City take State Route 22 (M-22) north to E. Cherry Bend Road. The trailhead is at Cherry Bend Community Park.
To start at Suttons Bay, follow M-22 north to Suttons Bay. Just before you get to the town, turn left on 4th Street and go a couple of blocks. The trailhead will be on your left.
Rode this trail on July 2, 2012. The paving had been completed the previous week so that the entire route from Traverse City to Sutton's bay is all smooth blacktop! The plastic protective film is still on the ADA compliant crossings and we had to dodge ...
With late fall 2004 hookup with the TART/Leelanau connector there is a lot of blacktop to ride. A new section from the end of the TART trail to where the Leelanau trail began is now open providing a safe transition between the trails. This also ads about ...
"I like this trail because it goes through Traverse City and you are never far from water or help as I ride a wheelchair bike/handcycle. There are a couple of dangerous problems where the trail runs right along the road over on the East Bay side near ...