Little Traverse Wheelway:
Michigan
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Description:
The 26-mile Little Traverse Wheelway provides exciting changes of scenery-including many views over sparkling Lake Michigan-as it winds from Charlevoix to the northern outskirts of Petoskey and eventually to Harbor Springs. Most of the route is paved, with several sections on boardwalk, sidewalks, and area roads.
If you park at the trailhead at Charlevoix Township Hall, your journey begins with a half mile on Waller Road with light traffic. Once you reach the trail, you begin a 7-mile breezy ride sandwiched between Lake Michigan and US Route 31. A lightly wooded buffer helps to shield you from the fast-moving traffic along the highway, and the trail is entirely paved except for a 0.6-mile wooden boardwalk across a quiet wetland between the Charlevoix Country Club and Big Rock Road.
A magnificent view of the lake awaits you at the Adams Rest Area, offering a chance to lunch at one of many picnic tables. Following that is Nine Mile Point, a particularly lovely strip of land along Little Traverse Bay. The shop- and restaurant-studded village of Bay Harbor lies 2 miles ahead, followed later by a 1.2-mile temporary detour that takes you along the shoulder of US Route 31. This section is rather precarious and noisy, and is not recommended for families with children. Fortunately the main trail is expected to reopen once paving and landscaping are completed (expected summer 2008, but check the website for updates). Back on the trail, you soon curve through woods and descend into Magnus Park on the lakeshore. You are now in Petoskey, and the city-owned public campground offers rustic tent sites as well as RV hookups.
Just after Magnus is Bayfront Park, where history comes alive. This portion of the Little Traverse Wheelway dates from the late 1880s when it was a bikeway. This purpose actually predates the railroad which was completed in 1892. Three arches (also called gates), which say NO TEAMING OR DRIVING, are replicas of a gate that once stood where the third arch stands now; they refer to the time when trail users were prohibited from bringing horses or horse-drawn carriages on the trail. Bicycles were the recreation rage for a couple decades prior to 1900, and they also served as inexpensive transportation. This bicycle history is commemorated in the Little Traverse History Museum, located on Depot Court, just off Lake Street near City Hall, and is symbolized by a sculpture of an antique "boneshaker" bicycle within Bayfront Park.
Other Bayfront Park destinations include the Midway and Lime Kiln Pond. The Midway was once the shopping area on lower Lake Street that ran from today's business district down to the dockside area at the waterfront. It was Petoskey's cosmopolitan shopping center and included three "Persian Bazaars" run by Armenian families dealing in rugs, spices and other Oriental products popular in late Victorian America. On summer nights residents and visitors could listen to concerts performed by brass bands on shore or the many large boats docked in the harbor. As a growing commercial and tourist center, Petoskey was kind of an "emporium of the upper lakes." The Midway has since been bisected by the relocation of US Highway 31; the park is now accessible through an underpass near the foot of Bay Street.
Lime Kiln Pond was the heart of Petoskey pioneer Hiram Rose's quarry operation that dated from 1874 and greatly altered the appearance of the waterfront. The kilns "cooked" the limestone as the first step of the process of making lime. At one time it was one of Petoskey's most important industries, employing 30 to 40 workers, and sent lime used in fertilizer, cement, and a variety of other industrial applications throughout the Great Lakes region. Today the pond, created by the quarry operation, is stocked with pan fish and is a popular spot for parents to teach their children how to fish. The pond maintains a water level several feet above that of Little Traverse Bay only a few steps away. The exposed cobble on the bay is a good place to look for Petoskey stones, organic matter from the ancient past fossilized in the limestone.
Upon leaving the park, salmon-colored sidewalks signal your entry into the historic Bay View neighborhood. This elite community, dominated by charming Victorian homes, has long been a summer getaway for prominent Michiganians. At the east end of Bay View is the Fettis-McCue Overlook, a covered wooden gazebo with benches offering a particularly pleasant view of the Bay and a mural on the back of a grocery store depicting a historical timeline of transportation along the corridor. Soon after that, you arrive in Petoskey State Park with its sweeping sand dunes and fine swimming beach.
After the park the trail continues 2.5 miles on an off-road path along busy State Route M-119 before cutting away to follow the northeast edge of the Harbor Springs Airport. The trail currently ends at Pleasant View Lane, just 4 miles short of Harbor Springs. Future plans are to connect the trail to this quaint resort settlement in 2009, but your best bet for now is to backtrack toward the main entrance of the state park and turn off on Beach Road for a 4-mile trip into the heart of downtown Harbor Springs. Use caution on Beach Road as sight lines on this twisting and densely forested road are limited. Turn right on Bay Street and follow it into town

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Parking & Trail Access:
To reach the northernmost trailhead at the Harbor Springs Airport, go north from the city of Petoskey on US Highway 31 to State Route M-119. Turn left on State Route M-119 and follow it until you see the Harbor Springs Airport on your left and State Hwy. 81. Just beyond the airport on your left is the trail parking lot, near the trail's end at Pleasant View Lane.
To reach the Charlevoix trailhead, go north from the town of Charlevoix, on US highway 31 for about 3 miles to Waller Road. Turn left and proceed for a half mile to Charlevoix Township Park on your right.
The next trailhead is at Resort Township's West Park, just several hundred yards north of the trail and U.S. Hwy. 31. on Townline Rd. , offering parking and restrooms; however, there is an additional parking area located right next to the trail.
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Reviews: [3 trail ratings]
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Little Traverse Wheelway
By tartanbiker on August 29, 2010
Aug. 26,2010 My wife and I rode this trail from Magnus Park in Petoskey to downtown Charlevoix and back. It was the most enjoyable trail we have been on this year. The only minor complaints were a few driveway crossings were a little rough. The views from the trail when near the water were fantastic. Looking foward to bringing friends up to ride it again.
Little Traverse Wheelway - A+ views, C trail
By dtroll on August 10, 2010
This trail is among the most scenic in the country. It offers numerous staggeringly beautiful views of the picturesque Traverse Bay. It begins on the eastern edge of the quaint town of Harbor Springs, proceeds to loop around the bay, passing through the equally picturesque and quaint town of Petoskey. There are a few overlooks around Bay Harbor. As it proceeds east, it leaves the lake shore for a while, only to return to the lake as one approaches Charlevoix.
For sightseeing, this trail rates an A+. Purely as a trail - if you plopped this trail down in the middle of nowhere, you wouldn't give it better than a C. A serious cyclist can't just get on & crank out 20 miles in an hour, turn around, & crank it back in less time. Parts of it are essentially riding on sidewalks. Numerous road crossings are potential rim busters. The surface varies mile to mile. At points, as it winds through populated areas, its twists & turns make it impossible to really get cranking. This is more of a trail for a tourist/vacationer than a cycling enthusiast. If you go into it with that understanding, you will love it. Slow down & enjoy the views.
Fantastic for Occational bikers
By gkdeel on April 12, 2010
Rode all but about 2 miles of the trail. A lot of fantastic views. Liked the fact that there were plenty of places to stop and take a break. It is a safe trail that does not require road crossing that made me feel safe with my 11 & 12 year old boys. Highly recommend. There are not any steep climbs so folks like me who only ride a few times a year can enjoy it. The segment around bay harbor is especially pretty so if you are not going to do the whole trail, make sure you do that segment.
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Over 400 Victorian homes are located in this area.
Trail Facts
Trail End Points: Charlevoix to Harbor Springs
Counties: Charlevoix, Emmet
Trail Length: 26 miles
Trail Category: Rail-Trail
Trail Surfaces: Asphalt
Trail Activities: Bike, Inline Skating, Fishing, Wheelchair Accessible, Mountain Biking, Walking
TrailLink ID: 6016178

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Guidebook: Learn more about other Midwestern rail-trails in RTC's Midwestern Guidebook.
Trail of the Month: January 2009
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