A ‘LOON – E’ ESCAPE… A WATER/BIKE COMBO TO CEDAR LAKE

When: Daily* – Click Book Now below to reserve

Party size: Minimum guided group size of 8, Call for availability
Difficulty: Moderate
Cost: $60 Adult (Bike/Kayak rental included)
Ages: 12 and up
Duration: ~ 2 – 3 hours
Distance: ~ 8-9 miles (~6 Mile on TART Trail and 2 Miles on Cedar Lake)
Begins and ends at: Paddle TC – Clinch Park
Guided: Guided or Unguided – Please call to schedule a guide
Paddle TC Staff – Jeffrey B., Levi C.

What to bring: Clothing and footwear appropriate biking, Backpack, Snacks, and Water

Loons, bald eagles, herons, and a wide variety of waterfowl call Cedar Lake home, making it one of Traverse City’s most peaceful and wildlife-rich destinations and one of its best-kept secrets. This unique bike-and-paddle adventure, available with or without a guide, offers the perfect blend of scenic riding and tranquil time on the water.

Your tour begins at Paddle TC’s rental booth along the shores of Grand Traverse Bay. From there, you’ll hop on your bike and enjoy a relaxed, approximately three-mile ride on mostly flat terrain. The route follows the bay before connecting to the picturesque Leelanau Trail, where you’ll be surrounded by trees, open skies, and glimpses of northern Michigan’s natural beauty.

Upon arriving at Cedar Lake, your kayak will be waiting. From the moment you launch, you’ll feel the shift calm waters, quiet surroundings, and over two miles of wooded shoreline to explore at your own pace. Paddle along the edges of the lake, where wildlife sightings are common and the peaceful setting feels worlds away from downtown, even though you’re just minutes from it. It’s not unusual to spot loons diving, eagles soaring overhead, or turtles sunning along the banks so be sure to keep your camera ready.

When you’re finished exploring, you’ll hop back on your bike for the easy, scenic ride back to the waterfront. Pedal. Paddle. Pedal! It’s the perfect way to experience both the energy of Traverse City and the serenity of its surrounding nature in one unforgettable outing.

‘BREWBI’… A BREWERIES BY BIKE TOUR

When: Daily 4:15 pm – 6:30 pm, or by appointment

Party size: Minimum group size of 4, Call for availability
Difficulty: Easy
Cost: $40 (Bike rental included)
Ages: 21 and up
Duration: ~ 2 hours
Distance: 2 – 8 miles depending on route choices of group
Begins and ends at: Paddle TC Booth – Clinch Park
Guided: Guided or Unguided – Call to Schedule a Guide
Paddle TC Staff – Nick F., Levi C.

What to bring: $$ to sample libations, ID, Sunscreen, clothing, and footwear appropriate for biking, a backpack (if desired)

PADDLE BOARD SUP YOGA

When: Daily, 9:00 am, or by appointment

Party size: Minimum group size of 4, Call for availability
Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
Cost: $35 (Paddleboard rental included) Cost is $25 if you bring your own paddle board.
Ages: 10 and up
Duration: ~ 1 hour
Distance: <1 mile depending on route choices of group
Begins and ends at: Paddle TC Booth – Clinch Park
Guided: Guided
Paddle TC Staff – Emily H., Jackson S.

What to bring:

Sunscreen, clothing appropriate for fitness or bathing suit, water bottle

Stand up paddleboarding (SUP) is all the rage. SUP is the fastest-growing water sport in the world. Combine surfing with kayaking and you’ve got stand up paddleboarding.

The reason so many people are drawn to paddleboarding is that it’s an amazing full-body workout that improves your core strength, cardio fitness, balance, and flexibility with virtually no impact. Plus, it’s fun to get out on the water to enjoy the tranquil beauty of West Bay, so it hardly feels like exercise.

Even though paddleboarding is a total-body workout, people of all ages and fitness levels can try the sport. Many SUP boarders use it for a cross-training workout. It improves your core strength and balance, especially when incorporating yoga on the board.

Paddle TC offers many SUP lessons including SUP yoga lessons, as well as group and individual technique lessons for boarders of all levels.

The yoga classes located at Clinch Park on West Bay are typically scheduled for early mornings or evenings when the bay is calmer.

Please reserve your spot online today, groups may be combined if attendance is low.

‘ON TOP OF THE WORLD’… A BIKING TOUR THROUGH THE OLD STATE HOSPITAL

When: Daily – call for an appointment

Party size: Minimum guided group size of 4, Call for availability
Difficulty: Moderate – Advanced
Cost: $40 Adult (bike rental included) $30 Child (bike rental included)
Ages: 10 and up
Duration: ~ 2 hours
Distance: 6-7 miles (2 Mile Trail and Hill Climb)
Begins and ends at: Paddle TC – Clinch Park
Guided: Guided
Paddle TC Staff – Jeffrey B.

What to bring: Clothing and footwear appropriate for mountain biking and Water

You’ve heard the stories. You’ve read about the amazing renovations. Now, come and see for yourself! But, you better bring your ‘A’ game as this biking tour requires some serious leg and lung power as you navigate through the woods and meadows of the Old State Hospital. The hospital and its grounds are one of Traverse City’s most spectacular historical destinations. Your tour guide will answer questions, feed you local tidbits, stories, and antidotes as you pedal by beautiful views and landscapes including the largest black willow tree in Michigan. This guided, two-hour adventure begins with a lung-searing climb to ‘the top of the world’ to what many would call the best vista in Traverse City. It is totally worth the pain. Your ride continues with a ride through glacial hills, a botanic garden, and one of the premier historical restorations in the country. Your alpine efforts will be well rewarded with a stop at the Grand Traverse Commons where you can grab a tasty treat, sample some local libations (21 and older), or browse a variety of unique stores at the famous Mercato. This is definitely a biking experience you won’t soon forget! Bathrooms are available midway through the tour.

A ‘STATELY’ HIKE… A HIKE THROUGH THE GROUND OF THE OLD STATE HOSPITAL

When: Daily – call for appointment

Party size: Minimum guided group size of 4, Call for availability
Difficulty: Moderate
Cost: $20 Adult $10 Child
Ages: 8 and up
Duration: ~ 1.5-2 hours
Distance: 1.5-2.5 miles (Trail and Hill Climb)
Begins and ends at: Left Foot Charlie, located on the State Hospital grounds
Guided: Guided
Paddle TC Staff – Jeffrey B., Levi C.

What to bring: Clothing and footwear appropriate hiking and Water

You’ve heard the stories. You’ve read about the amazing renovations. Now, come and see for yourself! Get up close and personal as you enjoy the two-hour hike around the grounds of the Old State Hospital, discovering the history behind the restorations that have received national recognition. You will understand why the history, grounds, gardens, renovations, and variety of unique shops have catapulted this area of Traverse City into one of the most sought-after destinations in Northern Michigan. The repurposed hospital and its grounds are one of Traverse City’s most spectacular historical attractions. Your tour guide will answer questions, feed you local tidbits, stories, and antidotes as you hike the grounds of the Old State Hospital. This guided, two-hour hike spans spring-soaked hills, meandering woodland paths, meadows, and the Botanic Garden at Historic Barns Park. After a quick stop at the Visitor Center, you will finish your journey along level terrain as you trek through the Grand Traverse Commons. Your trip concludes, back where you started, adjacent to Building 50, where you can grab a tasty treat, sample some local libations (21 and older), or browse a variety of unique stores at the famous Mercato. Bathrooms are available at the beginning and end of the tour.

‘IT’S A GEAR CHANGER’… AN EGO BUILDING BIKE RIDE ON THE VASA TRAIL

When: Daily – AM only, or call for an appointment

Party size: Minimum guided group size of 4, Call for availability
Difficulty: Advanced
Cost: $60 Adult (bike rental included) $45 Child (bike rental included)
Ages: 14 and up
Duration: ~ 4 – 5 hours
Distance: ~ 31 miles (~15 Mile on VASA Single Track)
Begins and ends at: Paddle TC – Clinch Park
Guided: Guided
Paddle TC Staff – Jeffrey B.

What to bring: Clothing and footwear appropriate for mountain biking, Backpack, Snacks, and Water

The beauty and terrain-changes of the Pere Marquette State Forest beacon all that want a workout as well as unbelievable vistas along the way. Your legs will complete the much-needed warm-up on the flat, paved eight-mile trek heading east of Traverse City to hook up with the VASA Trail (of cross-country skiing fame). Then, our Paddle TC staff will take you on a fifteen-mile, fast-paced ride through the network of unmarked, single-track trails known to the locals. Just as your legs and lungs are calling for relief, the eight-mile, flat terrain return trip on the paved trail will serve as the perfect cooldown! This thirty-one-mile workout is one that you may want to sign up for time and again!