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The “Bike Path,” as it is locally called, runs 26 miles from Charlevoix to Harbor Springs in Charlevoix and Emmet Counties. The trail is mostly “dedicated” and mostly asphalt. It is currently the best developed and most “suburban” of our trunk line trails. The part between Petoskey’s Bayfront Park to Petoskey State Park follows closely the path of the original LTW that stretched from Petoskey to Harbor Springs in the 1880’s and 90’s. A “gate” over the trail at the east end of Bayfront Park replicates the original gate that stood at nearly the same spot. Two other identical gates have been built to the west on Petoskey’s portion of the trail. All trail uses are encouraged except that NO SNOWMOBILES OR HORSES are permitted anywhere on this trail.
This summer (2008) construction is expected to take place to complete the off-road trail along the shore between East Park in Bay Harbor and Magnus Park in Petoskey (1.25 miles) and the segment between the Little Traverse Township Park at the airport and the City of Harbor Springs (3.0 miles). Completion in the fall will mean that the entire 26 miles of the Wheelway will be off-road and "dedicated" to non-motorized uses and one of the finest and most scenic trails in the country.
Map of LTW in Emmet County
Files: 1199829185LTW_Emmet_County.pdfCharlevoix Township Park to the Adams Rest Area
Charlevoix Township Hall (T P R) to the Adams Rest Area. The trailhead is located at the Charlevoix Township Hall 0.50 miles from US 31 on Waller Road where there is parking and restrooms. Trail users can go into the city by following Waller Road west and McSauba Road east to Division Road. This in-town trail passes close to the North Point and Mount McSauba Recreation Areas.
The “dedicated” and measured portion of the trail begins at US 31 and includes 7 miles of asphalt and .6 miles of boardwalk through a wetland. The trail closely follows US 31and Lake Michigan much of the way and there are many good lake views. The Charlevoix Community Pool is near the start of the segment.
Files: Boardwalk_during_construction.jpgAdams Rest Area to West Park in Bay Harbor
Adams Rest Area(P R) to Resort Township West Park in Bay Harbor.
The area off US 31 is a delightful place to relax and view the bay in all its glory. There are plenty of picnic tables available to eat your lunches or just enjoy the ambiance of the scene. To the east the area around Nine Mile Point is especially scenic and there are other good places to enjoy the view.
West Park to East Park in Bay Harbor
RESORT TOWNSHIP WEST PARK (P R) TO RESORT TOWNSHIP EAST PARK IN BAY HARBOR. West Park’s parking and amenities are located several hundred yards north of the trail on Townline Road but there is a de facto trailhead right on the trail. This segment consists of 5.5 miles of asphalt near US 31. There are some panoramic views of Lake Michigan and the business district called The Village at Bay Harbor (A). There are good parking and recreational opportunities at both Bay Harbor parks as well as in the Village District with its many amenities. A parallel equestrian trail may be built in the future. East Park is an excellent intermediate trailhead.
East Park is currently closed until further notice due to limestone leachate contamination of soil and water.
ALTERNATIVE TRAILHEAD: BAY HARBOR HAS SET UP A TEMPORARY TRAILHEAD IN THE UPPER PARKING LOT OF THE VILLAGE DISTRICT FOR TRAIL USERS. (T P R) WATCH FOR SIGNS DIRECTING YOU AWAY FROM EAST PARK TO THE TEMPORARY PARKING AREA.
East Park in Bay Harbor to Magnus Park in Petoskey
EAST PARK (P R) IN BAY HARBOR TO MAGNUS PARK IN PETOSKEY. This is the “Resort Bluffs” segment that currently runs 1.4 miles along the shoulder of US 31. On the east end the trail is again “dedicated” as it winds past Northern Michigan Hospital and down the bluff to Magnus Park. The last easement has finally been gained along the railroad grade below the bluff and we will be working to build this entire segment as quickly as possible. Due to the nature of the easement agreements with some of the property owners, the public is prohibited from using the segment until it is paved and landscaped. FOR NOW PLEASE USE THE US 31 ROAD SHOULDER.
Because of the continued closure of East Park, there is no outlet to the west for trail users traveling west out of Petoskey. To continue toward Charlevoix you should go up the Bluff in Magnus Park and use the highway shoulder.
This segment is due to be relocated and paved with asphalt in the summer and fall of 2008. When completed, travelers can proceed along the railroad grade above Little Traverse Bay without using the busy US 31 shoulder. By that time we hope the contamination issues in East Park will have been resolved. We have reason to believe that even if these issues have not been resolved the trail can still be built safely through the construction area.
Files: Resort_Bluffs_4.tifMagnus Park to Little Traverse History Museum
MAGNUS PARK (P R) TO THE LITTLE TRAVERSE HISTORY MUSEUM has now been partially relocated. The segment previously ran along the shoulder of Lake Street but was rerouted to a dedicated trail from west of Ingalls Avenue through a new section of park land and finally across the Bear River to the bay side of City Hall and the Firehouse. This section has also seen the erection of two more Little Traverse Wheelway arches like the one further east along the Wheelway. Also check out the metal sculpture of a big wheel bicycle in the new park.
In addition, in the spring of 2007 the Wheelway was rerouted to the lake side of the history museum from the parking area in the rear. This change straightens the path and permits a better connection with the non-motorized bridge over the Bear River.
Little Traverse History Museum to West End of Bay View
LITTLE TRAVERSE HISTORY MUSEUM (P R) TO WEST END OF BAY VIEW. This scenic 1.25-mile segment runs through Bayfront Park and utilizes a short stretch of sidewalk before reaching Bay View. The History Museum is a must stop for those interested in the history of the Little Traverse region including the role played by the original Little Traverse Wheelway. The bicycle arrived here along with the railroad and the new wave of settlers who came for economic and religious reasons. Farther along in this segment are located the Petoskey Marina, the Midway, the Bayfront Resource Center, the Ed White Softball Field, Yosemite Falls, Lime Kiln Pond and numerous picnic tables. There is good parking in Bayfront Park and access to Petoskey’s historic Gaslight District (downtown) (A) through the tunnel under US 31.
West End of Bay View to East End of Bay View
WEST END OF BAY VIEW TO EAST END OF BAY VIEW. The trail follows the salmon colored sidewalk through historic Bay View to Division Road, then turns north to connect with the East Bay View Segment. (0.75 miles) Take some time to explore the Victorian ambiance of Petoskey’s “summer sister.”
East End of Bay View to the Fettis-McCue Overlook behind Glen's Plaza
EAST END OF BAY VIEW TO the FETTIS-McCUE OVERLOOK BEHIND Glen’s Plaza erected by the Petoskey Kiwanis Club and TOMTC in 2002. (0.4 miles) The building honors Fred Fettis and Neal McCue, two longtime trails advocates who still serve on the Wheelway Committee and the TOMTC Board of Directors. TOMTC is working on a plan to improve the parking lot and grounds in this area and perhaps establish an intermediate trailhead. There may also be a park at the nearby mouth of Tannery Creek in the future. The overlook is a good place to stop and view the bay and is a popular picnic lunch spot for people working in the area.
Opposite the overlook on the rear of Glen's market is a beautiful mural by Kingsley muralist Terry Dickenson depicting transportation along the Wheelway corridor at various times in history. TOMTC commissioned the artist to paint the mural in the fall of 2006.
Fettis-McCue Overlook to M-119 at the Litzenberger Fountain
Litzenberger Fountain to Beach Road
LITZENBERGER FOUNTAIN TO BEACH ROAD
This 1.4-mile segment tracks along a largely commercial area along M-119 and past the main entrance to Petoskey State Park (P R) to Beach Road. Round Lake Nature Preserve and the headquarters of the Little Traverse Conservancy are across M-119 on Powell Road.
Beach Road to the Little Traverse Township Park at Pleasantview Road
BEACH ROAD TO THE LITTLE TRAVERSE TOWNSHIP PARK (T P) AT PLEASANTVIEW ROAD. Various public buildings are located across M-119 in the John Watson Community Resource Center just north of Beach Road. This 1.1-mile segment runs close to M-119 before cutting away to follow the northeast edge of the Harbor Springs Airport. Enjoy the shallow panoramic view of Little Traverse Bay at the Little Traverse Township Park where there is parking.
Little Traverse Township Park to Harbor Springs
LITTLE TRAVERSE TOWNSHIP PARK (P) TO HARBOR SPRINGS. (T R P A) This 3.0 mile off-road segment is scheduled to be constructed on the north side of M-119 beginning in August, 2008. When completed trail users will be able to proceed from The Harbor Springs Airport into the City of Harbor Springs in one direction and on to Petoskey and Charlevoix in the other on a 26 mile trail "dedicated" to non-motorized use. The completed Wheelway will not only be a useful way to get from place to place but also one of the most scenic trails in the entire country. For the time being, adult cyclists may find the oversized shoulder of M-119 safe for travel. The Harbor Springs trailhead is planned to be at the ball fields near Lake Street and Hoyt Street on the east side of town. Like Charlevoix and Petoskey, Harbor Springs is a wonderful travelers’ destination with beautiful views and a multitude of things to do.