Tunnel of Trees Road

Overall Route Rating

4.36 out of 5 Rider Rating

89 Reviews

Motorcycle Route Author

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

Rider Reviews

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Guest

October 11, 2010

Used to live in Harbor Springs, so we are very…

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Guest

September 17, 2012

I've ridden The Dragon, Three Twisted Sisters and…

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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.

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Guest

October 11, 2010

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

Used to live in Harbor Springs, so we are very familiar with the trip. Even though we now live over an hour away, it is still a once a year ride for us. Especially during the 'color' time of October. The other great time to enjoy this ride, is mid summer and here are the reasons why. Start your ride in Harbor Springs, not Cross Village. After arriving and enjoying some refreshment in Cross Village, continue north to Sturgeon Bay. This is just another 5-10 minutes north where you can park on the side of the road, strip down to your swimming trunks and enjoy about a mile stretch of Lake Michigan Beach in a very secluded area. Then if you are up to it, you can continue north for another 20-30 minute ride into Mackinaw City and take in the sites there! Regardless of the extended trips I mentioned, this is quite simply the best ride in Michigan! As Rick stated, the only thing you want to be careful of is sand on the road at times. Did a little fish tail a couple of years back that nearly made the trip too memorable!

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Guest

September 17, 2012

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

I've ridden The Dragon, Three Twisted Sisters and just about every road in Arkansas. If you're riding in the state of Michigan you owe it to yourself to include the Tunnel of Trees in your route. It is not a difficult ride compared to the others, but it is the most beautiful. Lake Michigan is a nice contrast against the lush hardwood forest. I would love to do it when the fall colors are at peak. The Legs Inn is a nice place to eat, but plan on waiting if your visit is on the weekend.

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Guest

January 18, 2011

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Motorcycle Type : Other

The Tunnel of Trees is THE most beautiful road in the world! Don't miss a stop at the Good Hart General Store in Good Hart - call ahead and they'll have a world famous pot pie ready to eat when you arrive.

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Guest

August 20, 2010

0 McR Points

Motorcycle Type : Cruiser

I heard about this stretch of road from a chance encounter with another rider at a gas station. It's unbelievable! The trees grows right up to the edge of the pavement -- no shoulders here. Beautiful ride and the best 22 miles of my 1500 mile trip around Lake Michigan.

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Photo Gallery of Tunnel of Trees Road (31 Photos)

Legs Inn in Cross Village.

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View from the Tunnel of Trees.

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Rental rafts and a classic Chris Craft inboard in Harbor Springs.

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Old schoolhouse along the way.

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Typical Harbor Springs abode.

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Downtown Harbor Springs.

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Harbor Springs marina.

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Entering the Tunnel of Trees just north of Harbor Springs, Michigan on M-119.

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Harbor Springs Farmers Market

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On Saturdays and Wednesdays June through September, make a stop at the Harbor Springs Farmers Market. Find the market master and get your picture taken for their FB page ~ then shop for some great food to take with!

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Any rider's dream road. 22 miles of turns in absolute beauty!

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Riders along Michigan's Tunnel of Trees entering Good Hart during color season.

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Riders just north of Harbor Springs along Michigan's Tunnel of Trees.

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Twists and turns along the Tunnel of Trees.

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Riders along M-119 the Tunnel of Trees in front of the Good Hart General Store.

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Downtown Good Hart along the Tunnel of Trees.

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Fall color at the Good Hart General Store in downtown Good Hart along Michigan's Tunnel of Trees, M-119.

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Fall ride along M-119, the Tunnel of Trees. Just south of Good Hart.

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Tunnel of Trees pins and patches available at the Good Hart General Store... online at www.goodhartstore.com.

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Michigan's famous Tunnel of Trees, during color season. M-119 just south of Good Hart.

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Where the center line ends on M-119, the Tunnel of Trees.

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The Good Hart General Store along the Tunnel of Trees - full deli, bakery, post office, general store.

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Video

Check out this video of the tunnel of trees drive.

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Video

Tittabawasink Harley ride video from Michigan to Wisconsin

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Video

Heading north on M119, The Tunnel of Trees.

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Video

Heading north through the Tunnel of Trees on M119.

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Video

Amy with the Good Hart General Store (https://www.goodhartstore.com/Good_Hart_General_Store,_Welcome.html) provided MotorcycleRoads.com with a link to this very nice video of the Tunnel of Trees put together by Autoweek Magazine.

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Photo