Pedal power

For Chicagoans craving wide-open paths, fresh air, and scenic views beyond the Lakefront Trail, Michigan offers a cyclist’s dream just a few hours away.

Whether you’re looking for family-friendly routes, lakeshore rides, or adrenaline-pumping singletrack, the Mitten State delivers on every level.

In Northern Michigan, the Little Traverse Wheelway is a must. This 26-mile paved path hugs the Lake Michigan shoreline from Charlevoix through Petoskey, and on to Harbor Springs, offering sweeping water views and charming towns to explore. While it doesn’t yet connect directly to the Traverse Area Recreational & Transportation (TART) Trails, future plans aim to link them through the Nakwema Trailway.

Meanwhile, the TART Trails themselves form a sprawling network of over 100 miles around Traverse City. Paved, accessible, and well-marked, these trails connect downtown Traverse City with beaches, wineries, parks, and villages like Suttons Bay—where parking your bike at Hop Lot for a beer and top-notch food is a favorite local pastime. The Boardman Lake Loop is popular for its scenic waterfront ride, while the Leelanau Trail stretches 17 miles through open farmland and shaded woods. With plenty of trailheads, parking areas, and picnic stops, TART makes it easy to build a ride that suits your pace and interests. There are several shops (check out Brick Wheels or City Bike Shop) in Traverse City that rent both classic and e-bikes so you can explore as many miles as possible.

Nearby, the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail in Empire winds through forests, dunes, and historic villages in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. At over 20 miles and growing, it’s a highlight of any trip up north, especially in the fall when the foliage bursts into color.

For mountain biking enthusiasts, the Copper Harbor Trails at the northern tip of the Upper Peninsula are world-class. With technical singletrack, thrilling descents, and forested climbs, it’s one of the most acclaimed trail systems in the Midwest.

If you’re looking for mountain thrills but want to stay a bit further south, Boyne Highlands Mountain Bike Park has a variety of single-track trails that offer beginner features like Fun Run to more extreme runs like the Dirt Sample and Skidmark. The Highlands also offers the only lifted or shuttled bike park in the Lower Peninsula.

Further south, the Belle Isle Loop in Detroit offers a scenic, easy-paced escape around the 985-acre island park located in the Detroit River. The 5–6-mile paved loop circles the island’s perimeter, tracing the iconic outer drive with dedicated bike lanes protected from vehicle traffic. Along the way, you’ll pass attractions like the Belle Isle Casino, Scott Fountain, and conservatory, as well as bonus detours that include fishing piers, picnic spots, playgrounds, and stunning viewpoints of both the Detroit skyline and the Canadian shore.

From weekend escapes to full-blown cycling adventures, Michigan’s trails are ready for the ride.

TOP PHOTO: COURTESY TOP OF MICHIGAN TRAILS COUNCIL/ERIC COX