Explore the best rated trails in Petoskey, MI, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Leelanau Trail and Traverse Area Recreation and Transportation Trail (TART) . With more than 13 trails covering 299 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.
An excellent trail with a great round trip, wonderful scenery (takes you through nature and urban), and a nice scent of pine in the air to round things off.
We got on the trail at the Fouch Road trailhead and rode north to Suttons Bay. It was an easy 12 miles up and back. The trail is well maintained with slight elevation changes. You pass by many corn fields and cherry tree orchards. The shade from tree canopies is great. There is one spot you think you are about to enter a tunnel but it is just thick trees. There are many humorous signs along the way so look out for them. We saw a couple of trail signs pointing out where you can grab a bite but we didn’t stop. If we had more time I would have stayed in Suttons Bay to eat and view Travis Bay.
The North Eastern State Trail is a beautiful crushed gravel adventure. It is a low use trail that allows for wildlife viewing. During the 48 mile trip I only saw 6 people. Trail shelters in Metz and Millersburg were fantastic. The trail surface had some spots of deeper and looser gravel. I was happy to have 650bx47 tires on my Surly Bridge Club. Thank you to everyone who helped clear the trail post winter storm. This trail is 100% clear and open…no downed trees remain. Happy trails!
Rode this trail for the first time and loved it! Didn’t love all the crossings or that there were no warning blinkers to activate at busier crossings. BUT, the scenery and trail conditions were great. Visited The Hive Cafe and had a superb iced coffee. Then stopped at Shady Lane winery for a sampler flight of wines. All in all, an awesome afternoon!
I'm writing this review because I want other to really know the condition of this trail. (The DNR opened this trail recently after the major ice storm they had) We started in Mackinaw city about a mile or so is paved then the horrible conditions start, the Crush stone was heavy and made riding very hard some area at least 3 inches deep and my husband and I almost wiped out on a few them, every road crossing the crush stone was very deep and very loose the tree limbs and the pine needles all over the trail made it a very miserable ride, it got better in Alanson to Petoskey for 7.7 miles was paved. They really need to do something about that crush stone, the whole trail it was the loose. I took many pictures I will try and submit them here as well
May 20 on the trail we were plagued by stretches with fallen trees. This was a big problem for us bike packing.
We checked the trail from Gaylord to Mackinaw City on Sunday 05/11/25. Gaylord to Topinabee still has alot of trees down on the trail due to the ice storm but Topinabee to Mackinaw City has been cleared.
We checked the trail from Gaylord to Mackinaw City on Sunday 05/11/25. Gaylord to Topinabee still has alot of trees down on the trail due to the ice storm but Topinabee to Mackinaw City has been cleared.
It is a gem of a trail, but during tourist season, it can be busier especially on weekends. Road crossings are generally pretty chill, but closer to TC be more cautious with drivers. If you park in Suttons Bay, you can cool down with a nice walk after the ride at the Leo Creek Preserve, which has beautiful gardens in the summer.
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.
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.
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