Adventure Cycling Association

Traverse City sits on the shore of the Grand Traverse Bay, which earned its name from the 18-century French voyageurs who called this la grande traverse, or “long crossing.” We’ll meet today for the first time at beautiful Traverse City State Park, where we’ll discuss our route and divide the group gear before settling in for the night.

There’s so much to see in Traverse City, we’re taking the first day to explore! We’ll pedal our unloaded bikes up the Old Mission Peninsula to visit area wineries and see the lighthouse at its tip before heading back to Traverse City.

Today we load up and head off to the Leelanau Peninsula and the small town of Northport. Most of today will be on the paved and nonmotorized TART and Leelanau trails, which will make for mostly car-free riding and loads of photo opportunities! We’ll finish the day at the rustic campground of Leelanau State Park at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. What the campground lacks in amenities, it more than makes up for in beauty, including the second lighthouse of the tour.

We’ll enjoy stunning views as we pedal Down the west side of the peninsula along tree lined roads and the iconic route 22/bicycle route 35. The short day will allow for plenty of time to explore the village of Leland and it’s historic district, known as “Fishtown,” and enjoy the unique galleries, shops, and delicious restaurants. We’re then off to Lake Leelanau and our campsite along its beautiful shores.

Most of today’s route will be along the peaceful roads in the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, a region that Good Morning America named “the most beautiful place in America.” Keep your cameras nearby! We’ll then make the longest climb of our trip to Inspiration Point, where we will be able to view the Manitou Islands, Big Glen Lake, and Little Glen Lake all in one panoramic sweep. Time allowing, we may have a chance to climb the iconic dunes before heading to our campsite in Platte River.

We leave the national lakeshore today and head to the exceptionally clear Crystal Lake on the nonmotorized Betsie River Trail. Along the way we will pass our third lighthouse of the trip, Point Betsie, before arriving in the small lakeside town of Beulah. If you’re in need of second breakfast, this is a great place to stop. Then it’s a short ride along country roads until we reach Interlochen, home of the world-renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts. We will pitch our tents for the last time under the trees of Interlochen State Park.

Our last day is a short ride that will take us through the heart of Traverse City and give us an opportunity to browse the shops and pick up any final mementos of our trip. Although our time together has come to a close, we will always have our memories of this unforgettable journey along the Leelanau Peninsula (Michigan’s Lakeshore Loop).