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.
Motorcycle
Road Quality:
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.
Motorcycle
Roadside Amenities:
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.
The
Tunnel of Trees Road (Route 119) is located about 35 miles
from a very popular tourist stop of Mackinac
Island, which is located at the juncture of Michigan
and Upper Peninsula Michigan. This is at the top of Michigan
where Lake Michigan and Lake Huron meet and divide the state.
The starting point for this route is at the town ofHarbor
Springs, MI. From Harbor Springs simply follow Route
119 north along the Lake Michigan shore and all the way
up to Cross Village.
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 329 days ago
I am taking a friend of mine on this trip this weekend. I live and work close by and this is a very popular bike tour that is a definate must see. Great scenery and awesome curves. Enjoy
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 354 days ago
Just rode the tunnel over the Sept. 12, 2009 weekend as a portion of riding the lower Michigan coast line from Frankfort to Mount Clemens. Of the almost 1000 miles it was the best of the ride. I intend to ride it again before the snow set in. I would highly recommend riding it in both directions and watch out for the sand you may encounter. Enjoy it.
This user rated the route: 9 out of 10
Posted 414 days ago
My friend and I have ridden the 'Tail of the Dragon' and we both agreed that the 'Tunnel of Trees' was far more beautiful, exciting and fulfilling! It had just as many twists and turns...just alittle more stretched out. The beach at the end of it at Cross Village was wonderful as well. I would do it again and again, on or off the motorcycle!
Just a geographical correction - the road hugs the EAST shoreline of Lake Michigan on Michigan's WEST coast. Just don't want people looking for it in Wisconsin. It is a great ride!
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 241 days ago
Rode M-119 ("Tunnel of Trees") with five friends this past summer (2009). It was arguably the premier stretch of road of our 1,150 miles and I hope to ride it again this year, God willing. Didn't know about the restaurant in Cross Village (where the road begins), but Harbor Springs, where the road ends, is a LOVELY town!
This user rated the route: 9 out of 10
Posted 60 days ago
We made the 275 mile trip just to ride the Tunnel of Trees and was not disappointed. We went on the 4th of July 2010 and we were still almost by ourselves. You do have to watch for Bicycles and many critters and some loose stone and sand in the curves but it is well worth the trip. The posted speeds for the curves AREN'T lying, they are hard and tight, some beyond hairpin but just add that much more to the ride. We are going back in the fall for the colors.
This user rated the route: 8 out of 10
Posted 273 days ago
We rode it in September and had a great time one of the best roads in Michigan. But we did run into a few curves with gravel in the middle of the raod other than that it was great
Couple weeks from now, my family, friends and i are going to be riding this route. really looking forward to it. Thanks for the recommendations. will def have to check them out.
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 52 days ago
I you are in the area this is a must route. It is second to Tail of the Dragon. Narrow road with lots of curves and covered with trees. I have done both and this is a close second. You have to stop in Good Hart General Store. They have everything, Deli, Bakery, Wine, Beer, Post Office, and anything else you would want. The have fantastic sandwiches. You have to try one. If you are going to Gross Village and like polish food the Legs Inn is a must. Very nice place.
This user rated the route: 8 out of 10
Posted 8 days ago
Rode the Tunnel this past Monday - great weather day in August. The road is excellent, the scenery terrific, and not many vehicles on a weekday. Great riding!
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.
This user rated the route: 9 out of 10
Posted 16 days ago
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!!
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 23 days ago
i live down by Detroit and my friends and i took a trip to mackinaw and took the west of the state down and ran into this and loved this road this is such a fun road lots of curves and just riding along the water is nice. i would recommand it highly.
Im planning another trip soon just to go on this road again.
This user rated the route: 10 out of 10
Posted 25 days ago
we did this road on labor day weekend. i suggest another time as we had to share the road with a few hundred bicycles. other then that what an awesome ride
** See "Additional Information" section above for hyperlink to video.