A collection of former state hospital buildings in western Traverse City, the Village at Grand Traverse Commons has been expertly repurposed as a center for activities of all sorts. The grounds here include 480 acres of preserved parkland, where runners can enjoy unpaved singletrack through maple forests, streams, and vistas in the Commons Natural Area. Don’t miss the brightly painted “Hippie Tree” in the center of the park. For more mileage, you can tack on the historic Men’s and Women’s Walk (through former hospital patient housing) or the paths through the Botanic Gardens. Stick around after your run for shopping, food and drinks, and more!
Steven Depolo
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More Traverse City/Northwest Michigan Routes BelowCurrent Weather & Forecast
Traverse City, US
8:35 pm,
Jun 3, 2026
overcast clouds
22°C
L: 22°
H: 22°
Daily ForecastHourly Forecast
Tomorrow
5:00 pm
14° / 18°°C
0.2 mm
20%
10 mph
92 %
1022 mb
0 mm/h
Friday
5:00 pm
14° / 23°°C
0.2 mm
20%
8 mph
87 %
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Saturday
5:00 pm
16° / 21°°C
0.31 mm
31%
7 mph
79 %
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5:00 pm
15° / 21°°C
1 mm
100%
9 mph
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Monday
5:00 pm
11° / 18°°C
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9 mph
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Today
11:00 pm
14° / 14°°C
0.2 mm
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3 mph
80 %
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Tomorrow
2:00 am
14° / 14°°C
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3 mph
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Tomorrow
5:00 am
14° / 14°°C
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Tomorrow
8:00 am
14° / 14°°C
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4 mph
92 %
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Tomorrow
11:00 am
18° / 18°°C
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10 mph
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Tomorrow
2:00 pm
18° / 18°°C
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10 mph
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Tomorrow
5:00 pm
17° / 17°°C
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Other Routes in Traverse City/Northwest Michigan
The cornerstone of the massive TART network, this 10.5 mile multi-use trail cuts across downtown Traverse City with great views of the West Bay. We’ve mapped a 5 mile out and back along the most scenic section, with an add-on along the Boardman Lake Trail.
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The 8-mile loop run along the shores of car-free Mackinac Island is a must-do, passing beautiful lake vistas, rock formations, and historic buildings of the port area. Accessible by ferry from Mackinaw City. Lots of interior trails on the island as well. Famous for laurels in May.
Quiet lakeside nature preserve with shady forests and trails through the dunes. The best locations for a run are the paths from Green Point Dunes to the Beach and the Overlook Trail at Arcadia Dunes.
Home to the Charlevoix Half/Full Marathon, this paved, multi-use path runs for 26 miles between Charlevoix and Harbor Springs. The most scenic section is the ~3 miles along Little Traverse Bay from Michigan Shores State Park past the Loeb Nature Preserve.
A 61-mile asphalt trail from Gaylord to Mackinaw City. The best sections for running are around Mullett Lake and the Sturgeon River. See detailed trail map with segment distances.
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