M-22 Scenic Highway

Why it’s great for the road biker…

This 116 mile road is one of the most famous in the country, and was voted #1 in the USA by USA Today for “Best Scenic Autumn Drive.” This road is frequented by road bikers from across the country.  Most making it a 2-3 day journey because there is plenty to do along the way with wineries, coastal communities, scenic overlooks and great food and shopping.

Best segment(s) for a 2 hours or less hike

If you have limited time to get on the roads along M22.  A great southern portion is from the Arcadia Overlook to Frankfort.  The terrain is tough, but the views are stunning.  For those who are looking to venture more north, we recommend getting into the city of Glen Arbor and the Sleeping Bear Dunes area.

Trail Description

Beginning in southern Manistee County, M-22 is 116 miles of scenic highway winding through the countryside of Benzie, Manistee, and Leelanau Counties. Highlights along the way include, Portage Lake and the Artesian Wells in Onekama, one of the top golf courses in the country in the Arcadia Bluffs golf club, Inspiration Point in Arcadia, the Elberta Bluffs, Frankfort Harbor, Point Betsie Lighthouse, Platte River Point and just to the north is Empire Bluffs.

The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore encompasses nearly a third of the scenic drive.  Communities like Glen Arbor, and Leland “Fishtown USA,” Northport and Suttons Bay and the Traverse City Area’s West bay cap off this beautiful drive.

M-22 is a hilly winding road that makes for a great ride surrounded in beautiful scenery and nature.

Difficulty: Beginner/Moderate

Trail Amenities/Quick Look:

  • Many hotels along the route
  • Shopping and Dining Establishments
  • Many points of interest – view the map below for more details.

Note: Use caution on the roadways as M22 is a shared road between cyclists and motor vehicles.

Download Map
Manistee Lodging
Benzie Lodging

Points of Interest Along M22

M22 "Start" at the Little River Casino Resort in Manistee

Onekama, MI

Highlights in Onekama

  • Artesian Wells along Portage Point Drive
  • Historic Portage Point Inn
  • Farm Markets and Fruit Stands

Pierport, Mi

Highlights in Pierport

  • Artesian Well at the end of 13 Mile Road

Arcadia, MI

Highlights in Arcadia

  • Arcadia Bluffs Golf Club (just before entering Arcadia)
  • Arcadia Marsh
  • Arcadia Overlook (Inspiration Point)

Elberta, MI

Highlights in Elberta

  • Artisan Shops and Dining
  • Access to the Betsie River Pathway

Frankfort, MI

Highlights in Frankfort

  • Artisan Shops and Dining
  • Frankfort Beach and Lighthouse
  • Frankfort Waterfront area

Point Betsie Lighthouse

Empire, MI

Highlights in Empire

  • Artisan Shopping and Dining
  • In the heart of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

Sleeping Bear Dunes Climb

Highlights in Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore

  • Dune Climb
  • Scenic overlooks
  • Hiking and Biking Trails

Glen Arbor

Highlights in Glen Arbor

  • Artisan Shops and Dining (including The home of Cherry Republic)
  • Lake Michigan Access

Pyramid Point Lookout/Trail

Scenic Trail and overlook

Leland, MI (Fishtown)

Highlights in Leland

  • Artisan Shopping and Dining
  • Historic Waterfront district

Northport, MI

Suttons, Bay, MI

Highlights in Suttons Bay

  • Artisan Shopping and Dining
  • Historic Movie Theatre

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