Summer Hiking in Traverse City Guide: Greatest Trails

Here is your all encompassing guide to summer hiking in Traverse City, MI! With over 15 trails from easy to difficult there are trails for everyone!

Looking for winter hiking around Traverse City? Head here for the best winter hiking trails around Traverse City!

Summer Hiking in Traverse City – South end of TC

Boardman River Trail

24 miles of trail stretching all the way south of Traverse City to Brown Bridge Quiet Area. This easy trail is perfect for any skill level of hiking and with numerous trail heads around Traverse City you can start anywhere and hike as much or little as you please! Perfect place to bring your family, your pup (on a 6-foot leash of course), or if you enjoy trail running!

Trailheads: Grand Traverse YMCA South, Olson Bridge, Boardman River Nature Center, Lone Pine, Keystone

Brown Bridge Quiet Area

This gorgeous trail just south of Traverse City takes you right out of “city life” and into nature. With loops from 4-6 miles, this easy to moderate trail is the perfect day hike! There are numerous trailheads located around the loops.

Trailheads: off of River Road and Hobbs Highway

Summer Hiking in Traverse City – West end of TC

Cedar Run Creek Natural Area

A moderate trail, with some points of nice elevation change, and lots of dense forest! There are over 4 miles of loop trails throughout Cedar Run. Two trailheads are available for parking!

Trailheads: Cedar Lake Rd (main trailhead) and Tucker Rd (seasonal)

Grand Traverse Commons

These easy-moderate trails are perfect for hikes, mountain biking, and trail running! There are around 5 miles of trail behind the old State Hospital and with varying elevation and terrain it’s a beautiful hike no matter the season!

Trailheads: Copper Ridge, Water Tower, TCAPS, Munson Medical Center, Historic Barns

Lake Dubonet

This easy loop trail is the perfect off the grid but close to town trails! Going around the State Forest campground and edge of Lake Dubonet; this is a gorgeous and simple trail to take that will be far less busy than the popular trails in the area but still give you the perfect up north feel!

Lake Ann State Forest

Just 25 minutes west of Traverse City you have over 5 miles of loop trails perfect for trail running and hiking! These moderate trails provide lots of elevation change! With views of Lake Ann and the Platte River, it’s a tranquil hike.

TO NOTE: Majority of the trails are located on the West Side of Reynolds Rd, but parking is at the State Forest Campground on the East Side of Reynolds Rd

Trailhead: located off Reynolds Rd at the Lake Ann State Forest Campground

Summer Hiking in Traverse City – East end TC

Maple Bay Natural Area

This easy hike featuring almost 2 miles of out-and-back trails is the perfect way to stretch your legs and capture a gorgeous view of the East Bay. Perfect for families and all skill levels of hiking! I love to use this trail for loop trail runs too.

Trailhead: located off US-31 at the Maple Bay Natural Area (west side of 31)

VASA Trail System

This awesome trail system features loops for a 3K, 5K, 10K, and 25K! These are all loop trails and with varying elevation on each loop you can find a hike or trail run for any skill level from easy to difficult!

Trailhead: located off Bunker Rd (4450 Bartlett Rd in Williamsburg)

Summer Hiking in Traverse City – North end of TC

Old Mission Lighthouse

Head up Old Mission Peninsula to check out not only the beautiful lighthouse but hike some of the trails nearby! With over 6 miles of easy trails and many view points of the surrounding bay this is a perfect way to start your day!

TO NOTE: this is a state park and requires the MI DNR State Passport

Trailhead: Old Mission Lighthouse, Ridgewood Rd

Pelizzari Natural Area

An incredible forested hike that is easy for all ages! Over 3 miles of trails with loops and out-and-backs. There is minimal elevation change on this hike, making it perfect for families and anyone looking for an easy tranquil hike.

Trailhead: located off of M37 (Center Rd)

Summer Hiking in Traverse City – Leelanau Peninsula

Houdeck Dunes Natural Area

A grassy, duney (that’s not a real word), gorgeous hike in the Northern Leelanau Peninsula! Just over 3 miles of easy, loop trails leads this to be a great hike or trail running spot. Perfect for families and solo hikers!

Trailhead: located off M22, north of Leland

Whaleback Natural Area

Just south of Leland, you’ll find this hike perfect for a picture perfect lookout onto Lake Michigan. The trail is a bit steep on the way out, but all downhill on the return. Watch out for lots of roots, this isn’t my go-to trail for running.

Trailhead: located off M22, south of Leland

Clay Cliffs Natural Area

North of Leland, this is a woodsy hike with a beautiful lookout onto the Manitou islands and Lake Michigan. With almost 2 miles of loop trails this is an easy-moderate hike for the family and the perfect spot for trail running!

Trailhead: located of M22, just north of Leland

Summer Hiking in Traverse City – Near TC

Sleeping Bear Dunes Hikes

Empire Bluff Trail (1.6 miles)

Easily Sleeping Bear Dunes’ most popular hike next to the Dune Climb. This easy-moderate 0.8 miles out and then 0.8 miles back, features incredible views of Lake Michigan and the dunes. Starting in the forest, you hike up a few hills and then finally reach the sandy dunes and Lake Michigan. Be cautious, and do NOT climb down the dunes, lake levels can vary and there may be little to no beach below.

This is the perfect hike for beginners, families, or really, absolutely anyone! I love this hike particularly for sunset views! There is plenty of space to find a nice area to grab a seat and enjoy the sunset. Keep in mind, if aiming to capture a sunset view on a hike, plan to arrive at the trailhead at least 1 hour prior to sunset time, allowing for time to hike and time to sit and enjoy the changing sky. 

Windy Morraine Trail (1.5 miles)

An easy, less populated 1.5 mile loop trail. Located just across M-116 from Pierce Stocking drive, this heavily wooded hike is less busy than other hikes. While there are no stellar lake views, you’re engulfed in a dense, beautiful forest throughout the entire hike. Keep an eye out for a peep at Glen Lake while you’re hiking! This is a perfect hike for beginners, families, and trail runners looking for a less busy spot.

Alligator Hill (2-8miles)

A moderately challenging forested hike that leads to some incredible lake views! With two trail heads to start at either off Stocking Rd or Day Forest Rd, there are over 7 miles of trails to be found here varying from easy to moderate to difficult. Start off and enjoy most of the hike through the trees. However, you’ll reach stretches that contain no shade, this was due to the devastating storm that hit Glen Arbor in 2015. Head to the Lake Michigan overlook to capture gorgeous views of Sleeping Bear Bay. Then head to the Glen Lake Overlook, where you’ll find numerous trees, perfect to set up a hammock and relax for a bit. 

Old Indian Trail (2-6 miles)

Old Indian Trail features miles of loop trails located in the southern end of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. With easy to moderate ratings, these trails are perfect for any skill level! Start out in a dense forest and take the trail to the Lake Michigan lookout and continue your way all the way to the water for a secluded sandy beach along Lake Michigan.

You’ll want to pack some bug spray while you’re in the woods and sunscreen for when you make it out to the beach! Bring lots of water and maybe even some snacks for a fun picnic in the dunes (don’t forget to pack in and pack out whatever you bring!)