Located on state forest land, the Vasa Pathway features a series of loops (3K, 5K, 10K, 25K) that offer users a variety of challenges from easy to difficult. Cross-country skiers, runners, hikers, mountain bikers, walkers, and naturalists enjoy the Vasa Pathway. The Vasa Pathway is maintained and groomed by TART Trails under an agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Grand Traverse County. It is the home of the North American Vasa cross-country ski race, and the annual Iceman Cometh mountain bike race uses a portion of the trail.
The Vasa Pathway is owned by the Michigan DNR and groomed by TART Trails through a contract with the MDNR. Hunting is permitted on DNR property. Use caution and wear blaze orange or bright colors during hunting seasons.
Parking
Trailhead: 4450 Bartlett Rd, Williamsburg, MI 49690
Directions: US31 to Bunker Hill Rd, RIGHT on Bartlett, LEFT into trailhead parking area. The trail is marked with wayfinding signs.
Donations
Trail user donations to TART Trails help provide funding for the maintenance of the Pathway.
In addition, DNR management of the Vasa Pathway is partially funded through the Recreation Passport. When you check “YES” for the Recreation Passport when renewing your license plate with the Michigan Secretary of State, you gain access to over 100 state parks, hundreds of miles of pathways, and more.
Vasa Singletrack
The VASA Singletrack is a 13-mile single track at the beginner/intermediate level. There are 3 loops with a total ascent of 100′. The trailhead is found at 5450 Supply Road, Traverse City. The trail is well marked and maintained. Learn more at Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association.
Vasa Skillz Loop
The Vasa Skillz Building Loop is designed specifically for kids and adults new to mountain biking to hone their skills, while still hopefully staying upright. Two one-mile, single-track loops have been completed and feature elements such as jumps, table tops, berms, and rock gardens designed to help people advance their mountain biking skills. The more technical sections of the trail even provide an option to ride around them (a big perk for beginners) until the rider is ready to take on the challenge. More info here.
Winter Sports Singletrack
The Winter Sports Singletrack trail is a multi-use trail ideal for winter fatbiking and outdoor recreation. A partnership was formed to address the winter use issues and develop a plan with a long-term goal of providing high quality winter skiing and biking opportunities. The 15k trail will be groomed by the NMMBA and is accessible off of Supply Rd.
Love fatbiking? Check out these other great groomed trails for fatbikes.
Vasa Snowshoe Trail
The entrance to the Vasa Snowshoe Trail is across from the grooming barn. It meanders up through the Acme Creek Valley on the west side, loops around the Headwaters, and returns down the east side. The approximate total distance is 2.5 miles. It consists of three stacked loops: orange loop is 1.5 miles; green-yellow loop is 0.6 mile, red loop is 0.25 mile.
The loops are marked by snowshoe blazes that are painted on trees on the right side of the trail approximately every 25 paces. The blazes are angled when the trail changes direction. They are painted in both directions.
Please stay to the side of the groomed trail and step over (not on) the classic tracks. Dogs on leashes are welcome on the snowshoe trail. Please pick up after your furry friends! View a map of the Snowshoe Trail here.
Note: Sections of this trail can only be utilized in the winter due to wetlands, gnarly roots, and biting insects.
Maps
Garmin Maps:
Elevation charts for the Vasa Pathway:
