These TART trails, in and around Traverse City in Northern Michigan, provide an array of options for biking, hiking, skiing or a casual stroll in and around town. For more information on each of these trails and their features, click here.

Boardman River Trail: 24 miles

The 24 miles of the Boardman River Trail provides 7 miles of newly constructed single-track trail connecting Mayfield Pond Park to the North Country Trail. Additionally, TART has completed the long-awaited trail between the Boardman River Nature Center and Cass Road. The Boardman River Trail connects  people to safely walk or bike to soccer fields, the YMCA, the Nature Education Reserve, Kingsley and the North Country Trail. This trail is ideal for backpacking, bike camping, trail running, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, bird watching, photography and wildlife study.
Parking available at Mayfield Pond Park, Brown Bridge Quiet Area Trailhead 1, Muncie Lake Pathway, Grand Traverse YMCA South, the Boardman River Nature Center and more.

Boardman Lake Trail: 4 miles

The 4-mile Boardman Lake Trail is a heavily wooded trail that wraps along the eastern and northern boundaries of Boardman Lake. The goal for this pathway is to circle Boardman Lake, granting easy access to the library, parks, residential developments, and commercial areas including local businesses like Oryana, the Filling Station and Right Brain Brewery. The future loop around the lake will provide connection to NMC’s University Center, Logan’s Landing and businesses along Cass Road and ultimately head south of South Airport Road connecting to the Boardman River Trail.Parking
Access and parking at the north end of the lake is off Hannah Road just south of the Traverse Area District Library, and at the south end of the Lake at Medalie Park in the Logan’s Landing area off South Airport Road. If you’re walking or biking, you can get on the trail from 8th Street near Copy Central, the Oryana Trailhead, Lake Street or 14th Street.

Leelanau Trail: 17 miles

The 17-mile Leelanau Trail provides a paved, off-road connection between Traverse City and Suttons Bay. The Leelanau Trail features picturesque forests, farms, vineyards, lakes and ponds, and is perfect for safe biking, hiking and skiing, with groomed trails in the winter.

  • There are three trailheads for parking along the trail at: Cherry Bend Road, Fouch Road, and 4th Street in Suttons Bay. There is also parking available at the Leelanau Studios parking lot, just 1/3 mile east of the Cherry Bend Road trailhead.
  • Keswick Methodist Church, on Center Highway between Fort and Revold Road, welcomes trail users to use their lot.
  • Drivers: For improved intersection visibility, please do not park vehicles within 100 feet of the trail.

Vasa Pathway: 3K, 5K, 10K and 25K loops

Located on state forest land, the Vasa Pathway features a series of loops (3K, 5K, 10K, 25K) that offer users a variety of challenges from easy to difficult. Cross-country skiers, runners, hikers, mountain bikers, walkers, and naturalists enjoy the Vasa Pathway; groomed trails in winter.
Trailhead: 4450 Bartlett Rd., Williamsburg
Directions: US-31 to Bunker Hill Road, right on Bartlett, left into the trailhead parking area. The trail is marked with wayfinding signs.

Vasa Skillz Loop: Two 1-mile loops

The Vasa Skillz Building Loop is designed for kids and adults new to mountain biking. Two one-mile, single-track loops feature elements such as jumps, table tops, berms, and rock gardens designed to help people advance their mountain biking skills. The more technical sections of the trail even provide an option to ride around them (a big perk for beginners) until the rider is ready to take on the challenge.
Trailhead: 4450 Bartlett Rd., Williamsburg
Directions: US-31 to Bunker Hill Road, right on Bartlett, left into the trailhead parking area. The trail is marked with wayfinding signs.

TART: 10.5 miles
For a PDF map of TART trails and parking options, click here.

TART in Town: Varies

  • Cross-Town Route is an east-west bike route that currently goes from TC Central High to the Commons and Munson Medical Center.
  • Rose Street Route is a north-south connector on the east side.
  • Elmwood Street Route is a north-south connector on the west side.

For a PDF map of parking options, click this link.

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail: 21 miles completed

There are over 21 miles of trail and shared roadway, which are universally accessible wherever possible. The trail connects Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore locations such as Glen Haven, DH Day Campground, the Dune Climb, and the Port Oneida Historic District. Most of the trail is asphalt, but a 3-mile section which goes through the Port Oneida Rural Historic District north of Glen Arbor is crushed stone, and there is also a boardwalk section over Lake Narada.
There are many trailheads and parking lots to choose from. For an interactive map, visit friendsofsleepingbear.org/sbht-i-map.

Mall Trail: 2 miles
The nearly 2-mile long trail parallels US-31 from 14th St to South Airport Rd near the Grand Traverse Mall. The Mall Trail connects downtown Traverse City residents with many commercial businesses and restaurants.

Winter Sports Singletrack: 15k (9.3 miles)

This trail provides 15K of singletrack, groomed trail ideal for fatbiking, snowshoeing and classic cross-country skiing.
Trailhead: From downtown Traverse City, follow Front Street and merge onto Munson Avenue (US-31 N.) and stay on it until you get to Four Mile Road (about four miles) then turn right and follow it to Hammond Road, and turn left. Follow Hammond and turn right (on the big curve) onto High Lake. Go one mile and turn left onto Supply Road. Follow Supply about two miles until you pass the steel power line—watch for signs.

Photo(s) by Jeff Smith