Whether you like to bike on smooth, paved pathways or rugged, exciting mountain trails, you’ll find the scenic views in the Petoskey Area second to none. Bring your bike with you or rent one while you’re here. Then let the good times roll through and around our resort towns of Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor, and Boyne City.
Beautiful trails give you awesome vistas of our spectacular lakeshore and magnificent forests. And just when you think you’ve seen it all, you come to the next turn on the trail, crest the next hill, or go around the next bend on the Wheelway. Sound good? Let’s start exploring.
- Avalanche Mountain Preserve has 300 acres of mountain bike trails to discover.
- The Bear River Valley features steep bluffs, unpaved trails, a concrete path, boardwalks, and forest areas all in the heart of the City of Petoskey.
- The Boyne City to Charlevoix Trail has completed 3.2 miles that run along the Lake Charlevoix side of Boyne City Road, through Young State Park. Phases 2-5 are in progress.
- At the Boyne Highlands Bike Park, you can choose your level from leisurely tours to extreme terrain and jumps.
- Boyne Mountain Bike Trails let you start in the resort village or catch a ride to the top of the mountain on a chairlift and ride down.
- Boyne School Forest has the newest mountain bike trails in the area, with a 3-mile loop for riders of all abilities.
- The paved, 26-mile Little Traverse Wheelway leads through beautiful parks, elegant Bay Harbor, and historic Bay View.
- North Western State Trail is a 32-mile mostly flat trail that runs from M-119 in Petoskey to the trailhead in downtown Mackinaw City.
After you’ve pedaled your way through the day, rest easy with plenty of lodging options, from quaint historic inns to modern full-service hotels.
About the author
Diane Dakins is passionate about all the lakeside communities that comprise the Petoskey Area of northern Michigan: Petoskey, Harbor Springs, Bay Harbor and Boyne City. As assistant director of the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau, she has “been there – seen that” when it comes to virtually every area attraction. Her blogs give potential visitors the scoop on planning a northern Michigan vacation.
Original Post: August, 2017 – Updated: May 2, 2023