Boyne city hiking trails

The 17-mile Leelanau Trail runs up a Lake Michigan peninsula that is known for its abundance of cherry orchards and Riesling grape vineyards. Located in northern Michigan, the paved trail connects the...

The 62-mile North Central State Trail offers a multiuse trail adventure into the hills, agricultural areas, woods, and waterways of Michigan, with connections to well-established tourist towns at both...

The North Western State Trail—formerly known as the Petoskey to Mackinaw Trail after its endpoints—passes through many communities along the way, including Conway, Oden, Ponshewaing, Brutus, Pellston,...

The Boardman Lake Trail connects Traverse City neighborhoods, businesses, two parks and the district's library on a scenic route along the eastern shoreline of a large natural lake. One day, it's...

When completed, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail will wind for 27 miles through the stunning Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on Lake Michigan in the northwest corner of Michigan’s Lower...

Though the plan for a trail along the former Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena Railroad has existed since at least 2000, it took two decades to see the trail come to fruition. Thanks to the persistent...

The St. Ignace to Trout Lake Trail is located almost entirely within the Hiawatha National Forest in Michigan's Upper Peninsula. The follows an abandoned rail corridor from the town of St. Ignace...

The Shingle Mill Pathway is a series of trail loops for hikers, cross-country skiers and mountain bikers. Horses and snowmobiles are not permitted on the Shingle Mill Pathway. All the loops begin...

The North Western State Trail—formerly known as the Petoskey to Mackinaw Trail after its endpoints—passes through many communities along the way, including Conway, Oden, Ponshewaing, Brutus, Pellston,...

The 71-mile North Eastern State Trail, along the former Detroit and Mackinac Railway, provides a mostly solitary and meditative experience as you travel through wetlands, farmland, forests, and a few...

Though the plan for a trail along the former Boyne City, Gaylord & Alpena Railroad has existed since at least 2000, it took two decades to see the trail come to fruition. Thanks to the persistent...

The 62-mile North Central State Trail offers a multiuse trail adventure into the hills, agricultural areas, woods, and waterways of Michigan, with connections to well-established tourist towns at both...

This was an enjoyable ride, about 14.5 miles round trip from downtown Boyne City--one of those trails where you can imagine all of the effort community members put into making it happen. (Thank you!) It's easy to get to the airport trailhead outside of Boyne City by following the low-traffic East Main Street just a mile out of town. This short but really nicely constructed trail was a pleasant ride on very smooth asphalt through the woods, along a road, and through the Boyne Mountain Ski Area. While it's a rail trail, it was nice to find it to be curvy! All around us it was green and lush and lovely in late August. Very few people on a Tuesday morning--but the trail is 10 feet wide and welcoming.

We started in Topinabee, parked at the trailhead there which has great restrooms, parking, and a small beach (look over the edge of the sidewalk area to find the beach!). There's a gas station/store right across the street. Rode the smooth, well-maintained, crushed limestone trail along the lake to Cheboygan--about 13 miles, much of which we could see the sparkling lake to our right. We passed the Cheboygan trailhead (where there are also good restrooms and a shelter) and stopped in downtown Cheboygan for lunch at Mulligan's, a local pub, where we could eat outside. Good lunch food and great service. Rode back to Topinabee and then spent an hour swimming at the beautiful small beach there on Mullet Lake--really charming! All day (on a Monday) we saw probably a total of 14 people on the trail, walking or biking. While there are many road and driveway crossings, we probably had to actually stop for cars only 2 or 3 times. About 50% of the time we were riding in well-shaded areas. This was a lovely 26 mile day trip next to the lake and through the woods--a flat, easy, unpopulated rail trail through wonderful Northern Michigan!

I was pleased with the condition of this trail, sounds like it's improved since a few years ago. Very comfortable on a Long Haul Trucker with 700x32mm tires. I thought it was about as smooth as could be without being paved, aside from just a few patches of slightly thicker gravel. Very glad with my bike choice, mountain bike would have been overkill and would have been slower. Definitely sunny for most of the trail, a cool or cloudy day would be preferable if you're going a distance. Heading NW I was faced with a decent headwind, esp by mid afternoon. Over the 47 miles with a loaded bike I averaged 11-12mph in the NW direction, and slightly faster on the way back south (I'm in mid to decent riding shape and used to steeper terrain). My entire trip was from Alpena to Onaway and then up the road to Onaway SP (54 miles total one way) and it took about 6 or 7 hours with some leisurely stops, could be done faster. I only saw 4 other people on the trail. The scenery and remote-ness surpassed my expectations! Had some intimate moments with sandhill cranes, a kingfisher, and red-shouldered hawk. It was a neat way to see a portion of Michigan that I otherwise probably wouldn't go out of my way to visit.

Husband and I rode this trail and it’s so much fun! The first day we rode from our hotel BW Harbor Springs ( there’s a path right behind the hotel where you can hop on the trail) to West Park. Round trip 29 miles. It is a bit confusing to get around the section that is shut down. We had to ride on the shoulder of 31 for a while. Lots of traffic but the shoulder is pretty wide so I felt pretty safe. The next day we planned to ride the leelenau trail but didn’t realize it was 1.5 hours from our hotel. So we decided to pick up where we left off on the wheelway trail. We are so glad we did as it was the most scenic of the entire trail! We rode from West Park (there’s parking there) to Charlevoix. 18 miles round trip. We will definitely be doing this one again! miles.

In August a friend and I rode out and back from the Charlevoix trail head almost to Harbor Springs.
Four stars because west of Petoskey about a mile of trail is fenced off, with no detour signage at the west end until you hit the fence and have to retrace. Michigan DNR needs to do a better signage job. The detour can be ridden on the wide shoulder of route 31 into Petoskey (expect heavy traffic).
Detour aside, we enjoyed numerous lake views west and north, and food stops in Petoskey. Benches are plentiful along the trail. It was fun seeing classic summer resort houses from Petoskey to Wequetonsing.
The trail surface has occasional frost and root heaves. The route can be confusing in Petoskey, along the waterfront. In west Petoskey the trail is partly on sidewalk and tight for passing.
Hopefully Michigan DNR fixes the trail and it returns to a 5-star rating.

In August a friend and I rode out and back from Traverse City to Suttons Bay. We passed over 50 serious and casual riders, runners and walkers. The 100% paved trail surface is excellent (no frost heaves, potholes or tree roots). It's wide enough to pass comfortably. Great views of rolling hills, corn and hay fields, apple and cherry orchards, and several hops fields. As other reviews noted, Suttons Bay has good places to eat. The TART trail in Traverse City seamlessly feeds this trail.

Love this trail! Rode from Wolverine to Indian River and back. 20 miles! The trail was an easy ride for beginners who want to ride for distance. Great views along the way! Lunch in Indian River at the 310 Station was delicious!

My wife and I rode this trail in July 2021 starting at the Cherry Bend trailhead riding north to Suttons Bay.

The trail is in excellent condition - no debris, no cracks or bumps. Plenty of riders on the trail, all of whom follow proper riding etiquette (including the road bikes!!) with plenty of waving and hellos.

There are only a few roads to cross, mostly rural dirt with no traffic, only two with a little traffic. From where we started at Cherry Bend Rd going north we passed several other trailheads where one can park and make it a shorter ride.

Port-a-johns and bathrooms are along the way at convenient places.

The northbound trail has a slight incline most of the way to Suttons Bay but it isn't really that noticeable, but of course on the way back down the ride is easier.

Plenty of scenery from forest to fields to farms and ponds to view and enjoy. Once arriving in Suttons Bay there is the Hop Lot Brewery just off the trail which requires a slight jog and a few feet on a main road. However, the shoulders of all the roads in this area are wide and made for bikes and the drivers are quite familiar with bikes and give us a wide berth, so don't worry.

Lots of bikes in the bike rack at Hop Lot and plenty of eating outside. The beer is cold and the food is tasty - a welcome reward for the ride up.

Just 1/2 mile on the main road shoulder takes you into Harbor Springs (unless you just skipped the lunch and stayed on the trail). We locked up at the Suttons Bay Bike Shop. You've got to visit this shop!

Nick Wierzba owns the shop, which has a ton of bikes of all sorts to rent along with a full repair shop and tons of clothing and accessories. The best part is that everyone that works there is amazing and experienced but kind to all, from novice to experienced bikers.

Jordan gave me a wonderful off-trail route on back roads to go around Lake Leelanau. They also have guided and self-guided bike tours of the wineries, and arrange to pick up your wine purchases and bring them back to the shop. The BATA bus (which also carries bikes) has a stop right behind the shop. They also rent bikes for winter rides and have an excellent winter ride program.

Overall, nothing to be critical of with this trail. Enjoy the ride!

Hop on your bike at Boyne Mountain Resort and ride to Young State Park! Trail access is right at the resort. Just walk out your front door! Trail is a brand NEW paved , easy ride to Boyne City. 12 mi RT. I rode through Boyne City and picked up the Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail on to Young State Park. (RT 26mi) Overall Beautiful Ride! Note: When BC to Charlevoix Trail is completed it will add another 15 miles ONE WAY from Boyne City! Can’t Wait! So Bring Your Bike! Have Fun! I have fun