The Best Hiking Trails Near Traverse City for Every Skill Level
Easy Hikes Near Traverse City for Casual Explorers
Some hikers are casual explorers that prefer to meander easily and sweat less. These easy Traverse City, Michigan hiking trails will be an enjoyable way to explore the area without strain.
Boardman Lake Loop Trail
Offering a relaxing and serene escape and located just south of downtown Traverse City, the Boardman Lake Loop Trail is a mixture of pavement, gravel, and boardwalk.
Length: 4 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 118 feet
Pet Friendly: Yes
Distance from Traverse City: Just south of downtown
Pelizzari Natural Area Loop
This loop trail on Old Mission Peninsula features well-marked paths through fields, orchards, and hemlock forest. It’s easy to reach from Traverse City, and many pair it with exploration of the many wineries on the peninsula.
Length: 2.2 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation Gain: 209 feet
Pet Friendly: Yes
Distance from Traverse City: 3.5 miles
Moderate Hikes Near Traverse City for Active Adventurers
As our hiking in Traverse City adventures continue, we are going to start amping up the difficulty levels, with hikes along these more moderate trails. Still relatively easy but certain to help you break a sweat, these trails are memorable.
Empire Bluff Trail
Empire Bluff Trail offers an ice age history (erratics) and is one of the best places in town to view the sunset. Take dramatic pictures of Empire Lake and Sleeping Bear Dune during your easy hike and keep an eye out for the rusted remains of a John Deere mower, a symbol of the times when farmers tried to make a living on the sandy soil.
Length: 1.7 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 183 feet
Pet Friendly: Yes, with a 6-foot leash
Distance from Traverse City: 25 miles (approximately 35-minute drive)
Pyramid Point Trail
The Pyramid Point Trail features a bit of a climb, but as all experienced hikers know, a good climb leads to the best views. The views of Lake Michigan and the Manitou Islands will make the extra effort more than worth it!
Length: 1.1 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 226 feet
Pet Friendly: Yes, with a 6-foot leash
Distance from Traverse City: 28 miles (approximately 40-minute drive)
Platte Plains Trail
The Platte Plains Trail runs through the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore and also shows the remains of glaciers that have long melted from the Ice Age period. Offering what is often known as a “Secret Beach Walk” that continues for about 6 miles, this trail is famed for its peaceful seclusion and breathtaking views.
Length: 15 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 104 feet
Pet Friendly: April 1st to November 30 only, with 6-foot leash
Distance from Traverse City: 28.9 miles (approximately 41-minute drive)
Challenging Hikes Near Traverse City for Thrill Seekers
Ok, dear travelers, now it is time to challenge you with our most strenuous hiking trails in Traverse City. These trails will definitely make you feel you have accomplished something important by the end of your hike and will also make you ready to rest, relax, and recuperate in our Elevated Stays retreats.
The Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes
Is it a hike or is it a climb? Well, the Dune Climb at Sleeping Bear Dunes is a bit of booth, featuring a 284-foot high wall of sand that is constantly shifting. This climb is never the same twice. The first peak you reach will not be the end of the climb and is known as a “false summit.” You will still have to climb 130 feet and scramble over 3 rolling ridges before you reach the finish line.
Length: 3.6 miles
Difficulty: Hard
Elevation Gain: 666 feet
Pet Friendly: No
Distance from Traverse City: 28.2 miles (approximately 39-minute drive)
North Country Trail Sections Near Traverse City
The North Country Trail is actually the longest National Scenic Trail in the United States, stretching out over 4800 miles and crossing through 8 different states, but we are just going to talk about the sections nearest Traverse City. About a quarter of that 4800 miles is in Michigan, with the sections nearest our town offering both geographical and historical bits of interest. Going through the Valley of Giants, an old-growth forest, will make you marvel at Mother Nature.
The Fife Lake Loop is a lengthy, but moderate section of the North Country Trail that will test your endurance.
Length: 20.3 miles
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation Gain: 715 feet
Pet Friendly: Yes, with 6-foot leash
Distance from Traverse City: 21 miles (approximately 30-minute drive)
Tips for Hiking Near Traverse City
Traverse City, Michigan hiking trails offer a stunning peek into the natural side of our Michigan hometown and we encourage you to hike as much as you like. Just remember to follow the rules, be respectful of the landscape (including cleaning up after your dogs) and watch the weather.
Our most important tip, however, is to always return home to our Elevated Stays retreats, where comfort and relaxation reign supreme. Reserve your favorite property today!