Overall Route Rating
speedo-meter speedo-arrow
speedo-meter-grey
4.38 out of 5 Rider Rating 4.38
88 Reviews

Tunnel of Trees Road

Motorcycle Route Author

profile Image
By Guest (0 McR Points) on Oct 31, 2004

Rider Reviews

See All Rider Reviews
No Image Found
Guest
October 11, 2010
Used to live in Harbor Springs, so we are very…
Read More
Thumbsup
No Image Found
Guest
September 17, 2012
I've ridden The Dragon, Three Twisted Sisters and…
Read More
Thumbsup

Written Directions

The southern entrance to the Tunnel of Trees Road (Route 119) is about 35 miles southwest of the very popular tourist stop of Mackinac Island, which is located in the Straits of Mackinac - the juncture of Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. "The Straits" is the waterway which separates Michigan's Lower and Upper Peninsula. The starting point for this route is at the town of Harbor Springs, MI. From Harbor Springs simply follow Route 119 north along the Lake Michigan shore and all the way up to Cross Village.

Scenery

This road hugs the eastern shoreline of Lake Michigan through a dense forest. On one side you get glimpses of old summer cabin homes tucked back in the forest and on the other side you get brief glimpses of the Lake Michigan shoreline. This is a very narrow and twisty road that runs through the dense forest of trees and is literally one of those roads that you always see photos in travel magazines that make you crave to drive down. You look ahead of you down the narrow tunnel of trees road and cannot help but wonder what will be around the next curve. If you are on 18 wheels it would be a nightmare, if you are pulling a camper it would be a hassle, if you are driving 4 wheels it would be wonderful. But, if you are driving 2 wheels, it is the road that you always kind of dream of finding. Additional Scenery description from May 18, 2011: Beautiful ride along the Northern Michigan coastline. Becomes an ideal fall ride during the color change - an absolute must for any enthusiast!!! You can start this route as far south as Petoskey. But as you ride North around the harbor you go through the town of Harbor Springs and head up the coast and this is where things really get good. A very scenic tour of the Northern Michigan coastline and a very serene ride. Best time of year is during the fall color change - September is prime riding time! Plenty of places to stop for pictures or soak in the view.

Drive Enjoyment

The road is paved all the way but it is very narrow and has a number of very tight twist-backs. The speed limit varies from 15-30 mph and we spent about 90 minutes to complete the 22 miles, due to the number of sightseeing stops. We drove the road in the last week of September and we were literally all by ourselves on the road, meeting about 4 other vehicles on the entire route. About halfway through, the dense forest opened up on the east side and a large meadow area was literally full of deer out grazing in the deep grass.

Tourism Opportunities

A must stop for either lunch/supper or a drink is at the ***Legs Inn in Cross Village. This is an old rustic cabin-style restaurant made of field stone, drift wood and old large logs and lit with warm amber lighting inside that just makes you feel good the moment you walk through the front door. Legs Inn serves a variety of items but they specialize in Polish ethnic foods and I will tell you that they are absolutely fantastic. We stopped for supper at about 6:00pm and when we finished we walked through their garden backyard overlooking Lake Michigan and watched the beautiful sunset over the lake. Dec 2013 Update: Amy with the Good Hart General Store graciously provided MotorcycleRoads.com with a link to a very nice official Tunnel of Trees Commemorative Map that was a cooperative effort between all the businesses along the road.

Motorcycle Road Additional info

- View the weather forecast for this area from Yahoo weather . - ** Video of the road provided by "JGW" below.
 

Top Images

View All Add Photo Add Video
Share Your Comments ( 88 )
  Earn McR Points
Write a review
No Image Found
Harley Charlie
July 26, 2011
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Touring
Just rode the route Monday 7/25/2011 with wife and friends. It's always a great time. Will do it again in the Fall.
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
3 riders found this road review useful
No Image Found
Guest
August 18, 2010
0 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Sport - Touring
Rode up from Battle Creek thinking we were going to enjoy Cajun food at "Pearl's New Orleans Restaurant" in Elk Rapids, MI, heard about the Tunnel of Trees and decided to spend our last morning riding and we were not disappointed. What scenery, absolutely gorgeous views of Lake Michigan, and yes "Legs Inn" at the end is worth a tour, we did not eat there but the smell, yum! You can walk through the restaurant and out the back to get a beautiful view of the lake. We definitely recommend this ride!!
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
3 riders found this road review useful
capndan77
September 25, 2012
2 McR Points
Motorcycle Type : Cruiser
Road this route Labor Day week-end on our way to "Walk the Bridge" over the Mackinac Bridge. Took the "tunnel" on a whim and are glad we did. Beautiful scenery starting with Harbor Springs. Need to watch the signage in Harbor Springs to make the the right turn and out to tunnel ride or end up going right through town. Lots or great curves but watch the switch backs. Most are signed as curves but don't give you a true idea of how sharp a curve it is. Hard to stay within the posted speed limits that max at 40 or 45 when you really want to tear into some of the turns. Previous riders are correct, there are limited facilities enroute but Legs Inn was a great spot to stop.Very busy restaurant but well worth the stop. Must have been nearly a hundred bikes there on Saturday afternoon. Did find a littel coffee shop set back in the woods about half way through the tunnel. Lots of hand painted signs leaning up against the trees to let you know. It's part of a little antique shop called Trillium Woods Antiques. Great coffee and baked goodies served by a one woman staff who was very friendly and interested in bikes so easy to talk to. Caught glimpses of the lake but the woods around us was more impressive.Planning to ride it again week-end of 10/6-7 as that is forecast as best fall colors. Have been warned that it will be a very slooowww ride due to all the riders wanting to experience the colors of the trees. Highly recommend this ride for the novice, experienced and anyone in between. You will enjoy on any type of bike. We saw cruisers, sport bikes and even a lot of dirt bikes along the way. Seems like the "Tunnel of Trees" is a magnet to all comers! If you decide on this route just continue north to I-75 and Mackinaw City to ride across the Mackinac Bridge. Only half an hour further!
Was this road review helpful?
Thumbsup
3 riders found this road review useful