HARBOR SPRINGS, MI – This small town that fans out along the shore of Lake Michigan’s Little Traverse Bay is known for its unique downtown shops and its position as the gateway to the famous Tunnel of Trees.
But it’s increasingly known as a draw for bike enthusiasts. Mountain bikers are finding their zen at The Highlands at Harbor Springs’ ever-expanding trail network. Road bikers take off from town and follow the scenic curves of the Tunnel route. Thousands of others are drawn by the beauty found along the paved Little Traverse Wheelway corridor.
So it really shouldn’t be a surprise that when Outside magazine used bike-friendly data to compute the 10 Best Bike Towns in the United States, Harbor Springs made the list.
Sure, it’s rubbing tires with more well-known biking hotspots like Crested Butte, Colorado and Park City, Utah. But the greater Harbor Springs area definitely has enough going on for cyclists to allow it to hold its own on the list.
Here’s what the Outside writer had to say about our pedal-worthy waterfront gem:
“Cyclists can pedal everywhere safely, from grocery stores to schools to parks, thanks to low-traffic, low-speed streets (that are pretty flat, too), and the Little Traverse Wheelway, a 26-mile greenway that connects Harbor Springs with several communities and parks along Little Traverse Bay,” said list author Graham Averill, who writes about the national parks and outdoor gear for the publication that caters to outdoor adventurers.
“Pedaling isn’t just relegated to in-town cruising, though. The place has a vibrant mountain-biking scene thanks largely to The Highlands, a lift-served bike park with 22 miles of mountain bike trails. There’s a mix of trails for all levels, while cyclists just looking to cruise will find several miles of wide paths at the Offield Family Nature Reserve and the McCune Nature Preserve. Most Popular Bike Trail on Trailforks: The short Dirt Sample, a double-black downhill trail at the Highlands Bike Park, gets top honors for its bevy of wooden features like jumps, drops, and berms.”
The Highlands at Harbor Springs Bike Park. Photo provided by the Highlands.
A big piece of this biking glow comes from the work a very talented team has been doing at The Highlands for the last few years. This resort just outside of town is part of the Boyne network. And it’s known for attracting mountain bikers who like a little thrill in their downhill. The Highlands has miles of chairlift-served bike terrain that includes hills, flow trails and flatter, cross-country trails. The bike park is usually open from Memorial Day weekend through mid-October.
“I’m excited to see our mountain biking trails and Bike Park recognized as a top destination,” said Julie Rogers, director of marketing for The Highlands. “Our trails offer something for everyone, from beginners to seasoned riders, and the Bike Park is a place where families can come together and enjoy the outdoors. We take pride in being able to provide an accessible and fun experience here in Northern Michigan.”
The Highlands offers bikers the option of season passes or day passes. See more information on that here.
The Tunnel of Trees runs for 22 miles along M-119 between Harbor Springs and Cross Village in Northern Michigan. Photo provided by the Petoskey Area Visitors Bureau.
The Highlands is also a jumping-off point for some pretty cool Up North bike events. Each spring, hundreds of riders amass for the epic Zoo-de-Mack, a 51-mile bike bash that starts at the resort, traces the Tunnel of Trees corridor, then turns toward the finish line at Mackinaw City. In the fall, a smaller number sign up for Biketemberfest, which follows the Little Traverse Wheelway into Petoskey and back. Parties cap each event.
And any day can be a lovely bike adventure when you follow the Wheelway. The trail runs from Harbor Springs to Charlevoix, with lots of waterfront views along the way. Fun stops include Petoskey Brewing, Petoskey State Park, downtown Petoskey, and the shops and restaurants of Bay Harbor. For a trail map and more information, check the Top of Michigan Trails Council website here.
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Publish date : 2024-08-28 03:21:00
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