Photo by Stephy Miehle on Unsplash.com
Bicyclists, walkers, and roller bladers can go from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix on the 26-mile long Little Traverse Wheelway. The segment between Bayfront Park in Petoskey to Petoskey State Park follows closely the path of the original Little Traverse Wheelway which stretched from Petoskey to Harbor Springs in the 1880’s and 90’s. Biking in Northern Michigan on the Wheelway is spectacular.
A “gate” over the trail at the east end of Bayfront Park replicates the original gate that stood at nearly the same spot. All trail uses are encouraged with the exception of snowmobiles and horses.
This two-mile in-city segment begins at the intersection of Division and McSauba Roads on Charlevoix’s north side and is a “designated” trail shared with automobiles.
This trail has seven miles of asphalt and .6 miles of boardwalk through a wetland.
Here you’ll find 5.5 miles of asphalt near US-31. There are some panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the Village of Bay Harbor (business district).
This is the “Resort Bluff” segment that currently runs 1.2 miles and winds past Northern Michigan Regional Hospital and down the bluff to Magnus Park.
This .8 mile segment is a “designated” bike route along Lake Street. The North Country Trail joins the Wheelway at the Bear River and ends at the Little Traverse History Museum.
This 1.25 mile segment runs through Bayfront Park and utilizes a short stretch of sidewalk before reaching Bay View.
The .75 mile trail follows the salmon-colored sidewalk through Bay View to Division Road, then turns north to connect with the East Bay View segment.
A 1.4 mile segment that runs through a young oak and white pine forest to M-119. The “back entrance” to Petoskey State Park with its sweeping dunes and fine swimming beach is located just east of the Tannery Creek Condominiums.
This 1.4 mile segment tracks along a largely commercial area along M-119 and past the main entrance to Petoskey State Park to Beach Road.
This 1.1 mile segment runs close to M-119 before cutting away to follow the northeast edge of the Harbor Springs Airport.
This nearly 3.5 mile segment includes a small boardwalk section along the Wequetonsing Golf Club as it heads into Harbor Springs. The trail ends in Harbor Springs on Lake Street where cyclists can continue along the sidewalk to the Hoyt Road trail and head north to Cross Village or turn right on the new bike path at Kosequat Park and continue into downtown Harbor Springs.
County of Charlevoix
301 E. State St., Charlevoix, MI, 49720
(231) 547-7200
Charlevoix has beaches on Lake Michigan and also offers the warmer swimming waters of inland lake beaches on Lake Charlevoix.
Charlevoix is a bustling community nestled between Lake Michigan and Round Lake and hosts many festivals and events throughout the year.
Fisherman’s Island State Park has more than 2,600 acres and miles of gorgeous Lake Michigan beach and is located just south of Charlevoix.
A group of professors visited Charlevoix after the Civil War and formed a summer association. More followed and it became a resort town.
Beaver Island is located 32 miles offshore of Charlevoix, Michigan and is the largest island in Lake Michigan.
With woods, dunes, and frozen lakes, the trails near Charlevoix and Boyne City are the places to cross country ski from December-March.