Leelanau Trail — paved Cherry Bend return
Michigan · Rail-trail
From Cherry Bend follow the paved Leelanau main trail north toward DeYoung for up to two miles and retrace. Do not add the natural lakeside or forest footpaths at DeYoung. Walk crossings and stop at barriers.
Plan your ride
- Location
- Traverse City / Greilickville · Michigan
- Ride length
- Up to 4 miles return
- Ride format
- Out and back
- Surface
- Paved former-rail main trail
- Road crossings
- Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure.
- Elevation
- Gentle railway course with local rises, road crossings and wet leaves.
- Starting location
- Leelanau Trail public Cherry Bend Road trailhead, Greilickville, MI
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Named mapped trail/park reference, not the exact selected public entrance, parking lot or driving route. Use the separate written public start.
Leelanau Trail — paved Cherry Bend return — detailed guide
Source review: 2026-10-22. A dated source review does not guarantee current-day conditions.
A selected outing on a documented improved bicycle route. Follow the stated public start and course.
Start and parking
Start: Leelanau Trail public Cherry Bend Road trailhead, Greilickville, MI.
TART lists Cherry Bend as public trailhead parking. Keep parking at least 100 feet from the trail where required for visibility; use signed spaces and walk to the path. Seasonal toilets may be closed.
Ride and distance
Selected ride: Up to 4 miles return. Format: Out and back.
Ride: From Cherry Bend follow the paved Leelanau main trail north toward DeYoung for up to two miles and retrace. Do not add the natural lakeside or forest footpaths at DeYoung. Walk crossings and stop at barriers.
Selected outward cap and the same return; turn earlier at the actual route end or a barrier. Parking walks are extra.
Surface and effort
Paved former-rail main trail. Gentle railway course with local rises, road crossings and wet leaves.
Crossings and shared use
Yield to walkers and slow at junctions. Stop and look at every street crossing; do not use traffic lanes to bypass a closure. Yield to pedestrians, keep right, and slow at blind corners. Stop at barriers; never use a traffic-road detour to bypass a trail closure.
Hours, costs and access
Use daylight and obey posted trail, park and parking hours. Follow current public visitor-parking terms; reserved activities and events have separate conditions.
Reviewed 2026-10-22. TART documents 17 paved off-road miles and a Leo Creek Bridge detour from September 14, 2026 through late fall. This short southern return avoids the distant Suttons Bay work area; it does not clear the entire trail. Winter grooming is not ordinary snow-free pavement. This is a source review, not a same-day inspection. Recheck the linked manager before travel.
Map and Directions
Use the named public start and its posted parking signs. The map reference identifies the facility or selected trail area; it is not a surveyed parking stall or navigable route line. Bicycle and e-bike rules can differ; only ordinary bicycle use is established unless noted.