Leelanau

The 15.5 mile Leelanau Trail is a non-motorized pathway connecting Traverse City at its southern end point with Suttons Bay at its northern end point. Running through the last of Leelanau County's former railroad corridors, the Leelanau Trail creates the perfect setting for transportation, recreation and environmental education. The route stretches through rolling hills, lush forests, picturesque orchards, peaceful meadows and an aquatic medley of streams, lakes and ponds.

There are three trailheads along the trail: on Cherry Bend Road, on Fouch Road, and at 4th Street in Suttons Bay. The trail is currently paved for about 8.5 miles and unpaved for about 7 miles. The paved sections are from M-72 West in Traverse City to Lakeview Road in Elmwood Township and again from Revold Road in Bingham Township to the depot in Suttons Bay. The unpaved surface is a hard-packed dirt two-track.

During the summer months, there is a porta-john located along the trail at the DeYoung Natural Area about 1 mile north of the Cherry Bend Road parking lot.

In Suttons Bay, public restrooms are available seasonably at the village marina. All year, trail users may use the restrooms at Inland Seas Education Association, conveniently located at the trail's end, across M-22 next to Boone's restaurant. ISEA is open Monday to Friday from 9:00-5:00 pm with plenty of bike parking available at the lower level entrance.

Fundraising Efforts Underway

The Leelanau Trail Campaign needs to raise nearly $500,000 to secure matching funds for a $470,000 MDOT Transportation Enhancement grant secured through Leelanau County Road Commission. Design and engineering is getting underway and we hope to have the remaining portion of the trail paved in time for Tour de TART in 2012.

With paving we anticipate increases in both the number and type of users on the Leelanau Trail. A more efficient paved trail is usable by more people, from the disabled and the elderly, to young parents with children. It provides family-friendly and affordable recreational activities encouraging better fitness and health. It also enhances "smart commuting" resulting in less congested car traffic. An improved trail encourages visitors to see the beauty of our region and all users to engage in a healthier lifestyle for a healthier community. The 15 miles of trail stretching between Traverse City and Suttons Bay currently features eight miles of asphalt paving. We are planning to pave the remaining seven miles between Lakeview Hills Road and Revold Road.

Google Map:

Leelanau Trail

Printable trail maps (pdf):

Leelanau Trail Map

TART Trail System Map

Elevation chart for the Leelanau Trail (pdf):

Leelanau Trail Elevations Chart - start: 585 ft; max: 778 ft

2002-03 Leelanau Trail User Survey results (pdf)

Leelanau Trail Open House!
More Fresh Corduroy
It's TART Grooming Badge Time!
Have you registered for the Leelanau Harvest Tour?
Register or Volunteer for the 10th Annual Tour de TART
Connecting generations
Buy a print, support TART
Support cross-country ski grooming
Leelanau Trail Realignment
Tour de TART bike tour set for August 7

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