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Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART)
4.7 ★★★★★ 50 Google reviews · Running trail in Traverse City, Michigan · Open 24 hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Open 24 hours
Confirmed from Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART)'s own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Destination offering hiking and biking trails, plus winter activities.
What runners say about Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART)
“Well maintained, a couple of bridges, some canopy areas like behind the state park.”
“Best trail in Traverse City for a beautiful walk anytime of year.”
Best trail in Traverse City for a beautiful walk anytime of year. TART trail in East Bay is plowed during the winter. The section from Four Mile to Holiday Rd. passes along a woods with tamarack trees.
Best thing that ever happened to Traverse City! It keeps getting better. Fun to find all 8 planets in our solar system. Starts behind the Public Library where the sun is. Took us about 7 hours cuz we veered off trail a couple of times & we were on foot. Probably pretty quick on bikes.
Great place to walk/bike off of the main roads. A lot quieter away from all the cars along the bay. Feels like a secret passageway through TC.
Took the kids for some character building this weekend along with the mrs. with a visit to the TART trail. The goal, to make it from Traverse City to Sutton's Bay (and back) with our marriage intact and our recreational 'curious' - cyclist children still talking to us afterwards. Glad to say, everything was successful.
Trail conditions & character
“The trail overall is well-maintained and paved, Bjorn Jr.”
Plan your run at Traverse Area Recreation Trail (TART)
The practical stuff
- AccessOpen 24 hours — no gate to beat, so a 5am or a 10pm run both work
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- Websitetraversetrails.org
- Phone+1 231-941-4300
Hours
| Monday | Open 24 hours |
| Tuesday | Open 24 hours |
| Wednesday | Open 24 hours |
| Thursday | Open 24 hours |
| Friday | Open 24 hours |
| Saturday | Open 24 hours |
| Sunday | Open 24 hours |
Running trails near Traverse City
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
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Hull Park
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Boardman Lake Trail
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