Michigan's Lakeshore - Adventure Cycling Association

Michigan’s Lakeshore

Wines to pines

Price :

$1,499

Surface :

Paved/Gravel

Duration :

7 Days

Support :

Self Contained

Difficulty :

Level 2

Profiled in Chris Santella’s book, Fifty Places to Bike Before You Die, this seven-day, self-contained tour centered in Michigan’s Leelanau Peninsula is an adventure you won’t want to miss!

We’ll enjoy local wineries, stunning pine forests, and, of course, the iconic white-sand beaches and towering dunes of Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore. We’ll also have the opportunity to visit quaint lakeside villages and lighthouses, stopping to admire crystal-clear inland lakes and spectacular views.

If you’re new to self-contained touring or want a relaxing week of fun riding and unforgettable scenery, this is the tour for you!

Select Dates

Dates

Price

Dates:

Sept 13 - Sept 19, 2026

Price:

$1,499

Itinerary

Traverse City sits on the shore of the Grand Traverse Bay, which earned its name from the 18-century French voyageurs who called this La Grande Traverse, or “long crossing.” We’ll meet today at beautiful Traverse City State Park, where we’ll discuss our route and divide the group gear before settling in for the night.

There’s so much to see in Traverse City, we’re taking the first day to explore! We’ll pedal our unloaded bikes up the Old Mission Peninsula to visit area wineries and see the lighthouse at its tip before heading back to Traverse City.

Today we load up and head off to the Leelanau Peninsula and the small town of Northport. Most of today will be on the paved and nonmotorized TART and Leelanau trails, which will make for mostly car-free riding and loads of photo opportunities! We’ll finish the day at the rustic campground of Leelanau State Park at the tip of the Leelanau Peninsula. What the campground lacks in amenities, it more than makes up for in beauty, including the second lighthouse of the tour.

We’ll enjoy stunning views as we pedal down the west side of the peninsula along tree-lined roads and the iconic route 22/bicycle route 35. The short day will allow for plenty of time to explore the village of Leland and its historic district, known as “Fishtown,” and enjoy the unique galleries, shops, and delicious restaurants. We’re then off to Lake Leelanau and our campsite along its beautiful shores.

Most of today’s route will be along the peaceful roads in the Sleeping Bear National Lakeshore, a region that Good Morning America named “the most beautiful place in America.” Keep your cameras nearby! We’ll then make the longest climb of our trip to Inspiration Point, where we will be able to view the Manitou Islands, Big Glen Lake, and Little Glen Lake all in one panoramic sweep. Time allowing, we may have a chance to climb the iconic dunes before heading to our campsite in Platte River.

We leave the national lakeshore today and head to the exceptionally clear Crystal Lake on the nonmotorized Betsie River Trail. Along the way we will pass our third lighthouse of the trip, Point Betsie, before arriving in the small lakeside town of Beulah. If you’re in need of a second breakfast, this is a great place to stop. Then it’s a short ride along country roads until we reach Interlochen, home of the world-renowned Interlochen Center for the Arts. We will pitch our tents for the last time under the trees of Interlochen State Park.

Our last day is a short ride that will take us through the heart of Traverse City and give us an opportunity to browse the shops and pick up any final mementos of our trip. Although our time together has come to a close, we will always have our memories of this unforgettable journey along the Leelanau Peninsula (Michigan’s Lakeshore Loop).

Route

Additional Details

Start Location:

Traverse City, MI

End Location:

Traverse City, MI

Airport:

Traverse City Cherry Capital Airport (TVC)

Total Days:

Riding Days:

Layover Days:

Riders:

Miles:

233

Average Daily Mileage:

Accommodations:

Camping

Meals:

Shared Cooking

Difficulty:

Level 2

Technical Difficulty:

Easy

Terrain:

Rolling Hills

Bike Type Not Allowed:

eBike, eTrike

Know before you go

Self Contained Reminder

Our Self Contained tours have the vehicle-free simplicity we all crave in a busy world without the hassle of vehicle logistics or hotel check-ins. Please make sure your bike can carry all your belongings (including tents, sleeping bags, and sleeping pads) plus a bit of group gear. Unsure about how to get started? That’s why our Tour Leaders are here!

Our Philosophy & What You Can Expect From Our Leaders

Adventure Cycling tours are not like other bike tours. We pride ourselves on being travelers not tourists. At our heart, we are a nonprofit committed to empowering and connecting people through the power of bicycle travel.

We believe that everyone joining our tours, including the leaders, are active participants who take joint ownership of group tasks like cooking, shopping, and maintaining group gear. This team mindset helps forge bonds that last for years (and tours) to come. Participants come for our routes but stay for our community.

We call the folks facilitating our tours leaders, not guides. Our leaders are not here to do everything for you; they are here to keep everyone on track and empower members of the group to step into ownership after they’ve adjusted to life on the road.

Our leaders commit to:

Establishing a vision and setting expectations for how our tours run within our unique philosophy.
Creating a safe, welcoming space for all walks of life
Keeping your tour on track while remaining flexible, so group members can shape their own experience
Pedaling alongside you — embracing the spirit and resilience of life on the bike

Your tour fees go directly towards covering the costs of your tour and supporting other programs our nonprofit puts forth into the world. The plus side to supporting us by coming on tour? You get to challenge yourself, have fun, and also do some good each and every time you ride with Adventure Cycling.

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