Best Trails Around Grand Traverse County, year round options for all
Grand Traverse County offers a compact network of accessible trails that serve residents and visitors for walking, biking, running and winter recreation. From a family friendly loop that connects to downtown Traverse City to longer paved routes through orchards and shoreline vistas, these trails support local recreation and nearby businesses while requiring seasonal planning and trail etiquette.
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The TART Trails network and adjacent public lands form some of the most accessible hiking and multi use options in Grand Traverse County. Visitors and locals commonly recommend a range of routes that work for short family outings, longer day trips and more rugged trail running or snowy season activities. These corridors link neighborhoods, downtown amenities, agricultural landscapes and regional destinations, making them both recreational assets and economic lifelines.
Closest to Traverse City, the Boardman Lake Loop and Boardman River Trail provide a fully connected, family friendly circuit that circles Boardman Lake and ties directly into downtown. That connectivity makes the loop useful for short walks after work, longer outings that include a stop in town, and for visitors seeking easy access to local restaurants and services. For cyclists and walkers looking for longer, low grade travel, the Leelanau Trail is a largely paved rail trail running roughly 17 miles one way between Traverse City and Suttons Bay. The Leelanau route traverses orchards, meadows and small towns, and it is commonly used for longer bike rides and hikes with winery and food stops along the way.
For quick neighborhood recreation, the Buffalo Ridge Trail is a compact option at about 2.5 miles. It links residential areas and trailheads and is well suited to family trips and short outings. Regional visitors often add the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail to their plans. Mostly paved and scenic, that trail runs through portions of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and offers shoreline views as well as access to the Dune Climb and Port Oneida, making it a destination hike that complements the county network.
For those seeking more rugged terrain, TART natural surface routes such as parts of the Boardman River Trail and the Vasa Pathway provide natural surface options for trail running, birding and snowy season recreation. These routes require different footwear and awareness of seasonal conditions compared with the paved corridors.
Practical planning matters. Check TART Trails grooming and trail condition reports before heading out, especially in winter, and carry layers to handle rapidly changing lake effect weather. Plan parking and access points since many TART trails have multiple locations for entry and exit. Trails are multi use, so be mindful of cyclists, runners and ongoing winter grooming operations.
Beyond recreation, the trail network supports local businesses along the routes, increases access between neighborhoods and downtown Traverse City, and concentrates visitor activity in corridors that are easier to manage and maintain. Continued attention to grooming schedules, parking management and trail maintenance will help preserve these routes for year round use by residents and the growing number of visitors who come to experience northern Michigan landscapes.
