Search Tours

Gallery Image
1 / 19

Great Lakes of Michigan Cycling Tours

Experience the natural beauty and lakeside charm of northern Michigan on a scenic cycling tour through cherry orchards, dunes, and coastal villages, culminating in a car-free ride around historic Mackinac Island and a return through the rolling interior back to Traverse City.

Average Climate

Head or Cross Winds Possible

legend

Double Booking
$3785

Single Booking
$4835

Roommate Rebate
$1010

Trip Type

Cycling

Difficulty Level

2

Trip Length

8 Days, 7 Nights

Distance

378.5 Miles
609.1 Kilometers

Meeting Time

Traverse City Hotel 3:30 pm

Drop-off Time

5 pm

Assembly Point

Traverse City

Inclusions

Timberline van shuttle is included between airport and Traverse City prior to and following the tour.

Lodging Highlights

  • Weathervane Terrace Hotel
  • Murray Hotel
  • Park Place Hotel

Have questions? We’re here to help! Call us at 303-664-8388 or reach out online.

Reserve This Tour

Bike Around the Great Lakes of Michigan

Set in the northwestern corner of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, our bicycle tour focuses initially on the Leelanau Peninsula, known for its cherry trees, wineries and picturesque shorelines.  We ride through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on our way to the tip of the peninsula.  After a trip to the lighthouse, we again pass through Traverse City, acclaimed as the “cherry capital of the world.”  From there we travel north along rolling hills and sandy beaches to the northernmost part of the Michigan’s lower peninsula.  A ferry ride takes us to the unique island of Mackinac, where vehicles are banned and bikes are plentiful.  It takes just 40 minutes to cycle around the island on the only state highway that prohibits autos.  Please Note: Mackinac Island does not allow e-bikes.  If you are riding an e-bike on the tour, you will need to leave it on the mainland.  You can rent a regular bike on the island.  After our layover day on the island, we take 2 days to cycle back down the interior of the state to return to Traverse City.  With the combination of beautiful rolling hills, windswept dunes, expansive wooded shorelines on interior lakes,  miles and miles of magnificent beaches along Lake Michigan’s eastern shore and charming villages like Charlevoix, Glen Arbor and Petosky, the Great Lakes of Michigan tour delivers a joyous, relaxing cycling tour.

ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive, assemble, bike fitting, orientation dinner

+

Our assembly for the Great Lakes of Michigan cycling tour is in Traverse City, labeled Cherry Capital of the World. We have time on the first day to test our bikes on some nearby paths and hold an orientation dinner.

Day 2: Traverse City-Leelanau Peninsula-Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore-Pierce Stocking Scenic Road-Glen Arbor-Leland; overnight Leland

+

Distance: 63.5 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,315 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 245 feet

On Day 2 we begin riding to the “pinky of the mitten”, Leelanau Peninsula. This day’s ride passes through Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore on the wild, challenging Pierce Stocking Scenic Road up, over and around the dunes. Tonight we stay in the charming town of Leland, nestled between Lake Michigan and Lake Leelenau.

Day 3: Leland-Northport-Leelanau State Park and Grand Traverse Lighthouse-Sutton Bay- Traverse City

+

Distance: 63 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,460 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 80 feet

We continue north to land’s end at the northern tip of the peninsula early morning of Day 3 and visit the historic Grand Traverse Lighthouse in Leelanau State Park. Wrapping around the peninsula, we’ll ride along Grand Traverse Bay, through Northport and Suttons Bay, as we return to Traverse City. Don’t miss one of the world’s best bakeries in Northport – Barb’s Bakery for a famous cinnamon twist or a cherry stick. Whether you enjoy the hub-bub of Traverse City center, or a stroll along the city beach, our evening in town will be a delight.

Day 4: Traverse City-Torch Lake-Charlevoix; overnight at the Weathervane

+

Distance: 59 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,650 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 110 feet

We’ll enjoy quiet roads as we trace the eastern shore of Torch Lake on our way to Charlevoix on Day 4, an area known for the Petoskey stone – a fossilized coral. We spend this evening at the Weathervane Inn, with views of both Lake Michigan and Lake Charlevoix.

Day 5: Charlevoix-Petoskey-Harbor Springs-Mackinac City—Ferry to Mackinac Island. overnight at Chippewa on Mackinac

+

Distance: 71 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,825 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 170 feet

On Day 5 we’ll bike from Charlevoix to Petoskey and then trace the Lake Michigan coast through Harbor Springs to tiny Cross Village on what has been labeled as “Michigan’s most scenic road.” Along the way, plan on another of those delectable visits to a quaint bakery in Good Hart and lunch at Leggs in Cross Village. After gathering in Mackinaw City, we take a short ferry ride across the Straits of Mackinac to Mackinac Island. This unique island is part state park, and part commercial area, but motor vehicles are not allowed. Horse and buggy rule the town, and walkers and cyclists alike share the roads.

Day 6: Layover day on Mackinac Island - Hiking, biking and relaxing options

+

Distance: 8 miles

Day 6 is a layover day on the island. There is a lovely paved road all the way around the island which is a perfect option for the day’s activity.

Day 7: Mackinac Island—ferry to Mackinac City - Boyne City

+

Distance: 55 miles

Elevation Gain: 1,640 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 130 feet

We’ll return to the mainland on Day 7 and ride through the heart of Boyne Country on bike paths and quiet roads. We’ll stay in Boyne City on the eastern tip of Lake Charlevoix for a final evening, and a last chance to enjoy a lake swim.

Day 8: Boyne City - Torch Lake - Traverse City

+

Distance: 59 miles

Elevation Gain: 2,215 feet

Largest Single Elevation Gain: 270 feet

Day 8 is a full day’s ride to return to Traverse City, although a van shuttle is an option if you wish to make it a shorter day.

No related trips found.

Download Your Trip Itinerary

Fill out the form below to receive your complete itinerary, including daily schedules, accommodations, and more.