Are you training for Iceman and want to spice up your regular routes? Let’s chat about all the local trail systems in the Traverse City area! I know it can be really nice to head right out the front door and ride a route you have memorized. Less brain power to come up with something new is required and oftentimes it can just be easier to ride what you know. However, it can also be really fun to explore new trails! There are several really good apps that can assist with route building and way-finding as well. Strava, Komoot, and Trailforks are some of my go-to apps to help me plan a route or see what others are riding! The Traverse City area has some great mountain bike trails, so get out there and try something new!
The VASA Pathway
The VASA Pathway trail system is located just outside of downtown Traverse City with a trailhead off of Bartlett Road. There is a skills park at the trailhead where you can practice jumps, berms, drops, and skinnies, as well as, bathrooms, an indoor space to sit, water, outdoor picnic tables, and a bike tool stand. There are several different loops you can ride: 3K, 5K, 10K, and 25K. You may also consider adding on the “headwaters” section to your route for some extra climbing. Ever heard of Anita Hill? Maybe Icebreaker or Woodchip hill? These are all climbs that may find their way onto an Iceman course and can be found on the VASA trails. Most of the pathway is double track. It is fast rolling with some good hills that will get your heart rate up! Shoutout to TART Trails and NMMBA for maintaining and grooming VASA land.
The VASA Single Track – Marked
The VASA single track is also located outside of downtown Traverse City with a trailhead off of Supply Road. The marked single track loop is about 14 miles with signage throughout and is directional. The direction of traffic changes each year so make sure you are heading the right way before you take off! The trailhead has a pit toilet, changing rooms, a pavilion with picnic tables, and a water pump! The trails are beginner to intermediate friendly. You do not have to ride the entire 13 miles, there are several different ways to make the loop shorter if needed! You could also add on the Strombolis loop to make your ride longer (about 18-19 miles total). Most of the trails are flowy with no technical sections and it is all single track. It can get sandy out there but that is great practice for Iceman!
The VASA Single Track – Unmarked
Did you know that there are about 75 miles of unmarked single track trails in the VASA trail system? These trails are accessible from the Supply Road single track trailhead. There are no signs for these trails (hence, unmarked), so this is where a good app will come in handy to build a route and upload to a bike computer! Or, find a friend who knows their way around and have them show you the ropes! The unmarked trails are a little less ridden but a whole lot of fun. Some of my favorite sections are Holy Grail, Adderall, Jam Sesh, South Grail, and F-bomb.
Glacial Hills Trails
Glacial Hills is located in Bellaire Michigan with a trailhead off of South Eckhardt Road. It consists of 31.5 miles of single track! Glacial is very flowy, not technical riding with a decent amount of climbing. I really enjoy the Outer Loop which is about 20 miles and rides the outer boundary of the Pathway. Glacial hills has great signage, a changing room, and a pit toilet at the trailhead! Pro tip, stop at Short’s Brewing Company when you’re finished for a post-ride beverage and delicious food!
Boardman River Trail
The Boardman River Trail (BRT) is easily accessible from downtown Traverse City. There is a trailhead at the South YMCA off of South Airport Road or on Keystone Road. Maybe you choose an out-and-back type ride from trailhead to trailhead. These trails consist of single and double track. There are a few more technical areas with punchy climbs, stairs, bridges, and roots along the way. You could also add on a Boardman Lake loop (BLL) for an additional 4 miles of riding on a paved path. Keep an eye out for all the different kinds of birds near the water as you ride, you may even spot a swans nest or two! If you are feeling extra spicy, turn the Boardman River trail into a 41 mile loop starting from Hull Park and connecting the BLL, BRT, East Reserve Trails, Brown Bridge Quiet Area, Muncie Lake Pathway, VASA Pathway, and the TART trail back to Traverse City. This route can be found on the TART Trails website.
The Commons
The Grand Traverse Commons offers trails that can be accessed at multiple different locations within The Commons area right in Traverse City. I like to start just by the water tower near Earthen Ales Brewery (solid post ride stop). These trails can range from beginner to expert – so pick your path wisely. Some trails are marked and some are not. There is a lot of climbing and several really fun downhill trails. If you look hard enough, you will find rock gardens, gap jumps, and table tops. If you want to test your climbing skills, I suggest attempting to climb the Northern section of the Old Orchard trail (rooty uphill at the beginning). As you meander on these trails you may come across a colorful cistern, the “hippie tree”, a natural spring, and several beautiful viewpoints.
Hickory Hills
Hickory Hills is a ski resort located off of Randolph Street in Traverse City in the winter and a trail system in the summer open to hikers and bikers. There is also a disc golf course so keep your head up when you are riding through here! Hickory offers single and double track that are mostly flowy. You will find trails through a meadow full of wildflowers and viewpoints of Grand Traverse Bay. Test your limits climbing up the ski hill or add in a Wayne Hill lap for some extra elevation gain. You have to prepare for Icebreaker at the end of Iceman somehow! Want more miles? Connect Hickory Hills to The Commons to the BRT!
Palmer Woods Forest Reserver
Palmer Woods is located 30 minutes outside of Traverse City and offers about 17 miles of single track mountain biking trails. The trailhead has a changing room and a port-a-potty. These trails are also flowy with some added in fun including A-lines of drops, rock rolls, or jumps. All A-lines have a beginner friendly B-line/ride around. Most of the trails are directional depending on the day of the week so pay attention to the signs on the trails! Some of the trails are one-way and this is also marked. There is one downhill only section called Beechdrops that is a must if you are riding out at Palmer! There are currently new trails being built in the system so keep a look out for more trails to come in the future!
The trails mentioned above are not the only trails in the Traverse City area but just a few worth highlighting. If you feel yourself getting stuck in a rut or need a little extra motivation to get out the door to train for Iceman (because, yes, it is getting closer) maybe one of these trail systems sparked your interest and can help! Pretty soon we will all be doing the notorious out-and-back from TC to Kalkaska and back but there are many other great trails to train on in the meantime. Get out there and enjoy what so many have worked hard for us to ride!
Thank you to Haleigh Dunn @life.with.haleigh for being our 2025 Iceman Cometh Trailblazer!