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Are you in search of a spectacular scenic drive? Look no further than Michigan’s Spectacular Tunnel of Trees! Head to Northern Michigan’s M-119, also known as the Tunnel of Trees Heritage Route. Stretching 20 miles from Harbor Springs to Cross Village, this narrow roadway follows an ancient Native American trail along the bluffs of Lake Michigan. Thick hardwoods line the route, their leafy canopies entwining overhead.
Popular in all four seasons, the Tunnel Of Trees is especially breathtaking in the autumn when the leaves change to brilliant reds and yellows. Just know that if you venture out when autumn colors are at their peak, you won’t be alone! Be prepared for steady traffic and lines in shops and restaurants. Week days are a bit less crowded than weekends.
Journey Through The Tunnel of Trees
The Tunnel of Trees is definitely is not the route to take when you are in a hurry. M-119 traverses hilly terrain, and there’s no shoulder or centerline. The twisting road includes hairpin turns at Devil’s Elbow and Horseshoe Curve. There are breathtaking views of Lake Michigan along the way, with glimpses of Beaver Island, Waugoshance Point and Isle Aux Galets. Each of these Lake Michigan landmarks has a lighthouse keeping vigil nearby. You’ll also pass quaint, rustic cottages interspersed with newer, million dollar homes.
Harbor Springs
Start your tour in the lovely resort town of Harbor Springs. Take the time to head up to the high bluff that overlooks the harbor and downtown Harbor Springs. Park behind Gurney’s Bottle shop and walk up the Spring Street boardwalk. There’s a viewing platform at the top of the stairs that makes for a great photo op. Spend a few moments wandering around a couple of blocks to check out the beautiful homes.
As you exit Harbor Springs, look for signs for M119 North. Once you’ve found it, you’re on your way through Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees!
Thorne Swift Nature Preserve
Thorne Swift Nature Preserve is just located just 4 miles outside of Harbor Springs and the first official stop along the Tunnel of Trees. David and I drove the entire 20 mile route and then turned around to drive back the same route. We saved the nature preserve as our final stop on the return trip and were glad that we did. After spending several hours in the car, it felt great to go on a hike and get some movement.
A short walk brings you to the Elizabeth Kennedy Nature Center, where you can check out the displays and learn about the area’s plants and wildlife. The 30-acre wildlife sanctuary has three wheelchair accessible nature trails. Follow the Cedar Trail and keep an eye out for deer as you travel through cedar swamps. Take the Beach Trail a quarter-mile down to the beach, where you can go for a swim. The half-mile-long Balsam Trail features an observation deck overlooking the dunes.
Pond Hill Farm
Don’t miss Pond Hill Farm! It’s definitely one off the highlights along M-119. The first thing you’ll see as you round the curve is the big welcome sign framed by upside tree trunks. Vineyards stretch up the hillside in the background.
This family-owned operation definitely has something for everyone: kids can explore the farm, feed the goats and pigs, play on the playground equipment and head out along the trails in search of hidden gnomes.
Adults can drop into the Tunnel Vision Brewery and enjoy a craft beer, or indulge in wine tasting from the Harbor Springs Vineyards and Winery.
The Garden Café creates sandwiches and salads using the seasonal produce grown on the farm. The Café is particularly popular on Fridays and Saturdays when the pizza oven is fired up from 2:00 -8:00, and the line is lengthy for a sundae form the ice cream parlor. Be sure to pick up some farm-fresh fruits and veggies before getting back on the road.
Pond Hill Farm is definitely a four season place to visit. Check the Pond Hill Farm Facebook page to learn about special events that go on throughout the year. Autumn events include helping harvest grapes, going on a hayride, apple baseball and pumpkin bowling. The Vineyard sledding hill is popular in the winter, along with snow shoeing and cross country skiing.
Five Mile Creek School House
The Five Mile Creek School House is visible from Pond Hill Farm. This red brick building served as a school house from 1880 -1950. While we stopped along the road to view it from the outside, it was fun to imagine a long-ago school teacher firing up the wood stove and teaching a small group of students.
Go to the Five Mile Creek School House Facebook page to learn about special events. Previous events include open house tours where participants can view many original photos from local Five Mile Creek families and see the original blackboards and world maps that students used. Five Mile Creek neighbors and friends have a long tradition of gathering for monthly potlucks on the first Saturday of every month. Potlucks have been suspended during COVID, but hopefully will start up again in the future.
Devil’s Elbow
Eleven miles into the Tunnel Of Trees, you’ll encounter the hairpin turn known as Devil’s Elbow. It’s tough to capture it in a photo, but here goes. I stood at the the bend of the curve, which is at the base of two hills. The first photo is looking back toward Harbor Springs and the second photo is continuing on to Cross Village. Neither photo gives the true sense of the change in elevation that actually occurs here.
Devil’s Elbow seemed perfectly serene during our drive. However, legend has it that evil spirts and anguished souls roam this area after dark. The story claims that the devil scooped out this hollow after a plague ravaged the Odawa Indian tribe who once lived here. Those who dare venture into the ravine after the sun has set risk hearing disembodied voices and distant drumming. Mysterious flashing lights have also been reported. Journey here after dark with care!
Good Hart Village
At mile 12.5, you’ll enter the charming village of Good Hart. This is the midway point between Harbor Springs and Cross Village, and it’s a great stopping point to stretch your legs, score some souvenirs and find something good to eat. There’s also a great swimming beach at Middle Village Park.
Good Hart General Store
The main attraction in Good Hart is its vintage General Store. This quaint red building was built in 1934. It serves as the area’s grocery store, deli, bakery, and the town’s post office. Be sure to check out the 1901 National Cash Register, old tinted windows, glass front counter bins, and of course the original post office boxes still used by the locals today
The Good Hart General Store is famous for its chicken and beef pot pies and delectable cookies. Grab a sandwich from the deli counter, some yummy smoked whitefish spread, or a piping hot pizza.
The General Store has an extensive supply of Michigan-made products. You can purchase necessities like sunglasses or insect repellent, or some M-119 swag, including T-shirts, baseball caps and M-119 road signs. The Good Hart General Store Website showcases all that they have to offer.
A Studio Shop
This charming boutique offers unique gifts and home accessories. It’s a great spot to buy beautiful flower arrangements and bouquets of cut flowers.
A Studio is open for business from Memorial Day through October. Head to A Studio Shop’s Facebook page for shopping ideas. For current hours, call231.526.7110.
Good Hart & Soul Tea Room
Are you a lover of tea? If yes, then a stop at the Good Hart & Soul Tea Room is in order. This hidden gem is located off the back of Primitive Images rustic furniture store. Settle outside in the garden to savor a scone and a lovely cup of tea. There is an incredible variety of teas to choose from, including Green, Black, White and Oolong loose leaf & bagged teas. Or you can opt for coffee, iced tea, lavender lemonade, smoothies and frozen tea lattes.
The Tea Room will ship their tea right to your door. Peruse the Good Hart & Soul Tea Room Menu and place an order by calling (231) 526 – 0276.
Island View Cemetery
Just beyond Good Hart, you’ll be passing the Island View Cemetery. We took a few moments to wander around this tranquil setting.
Old Council Tree Highway Marker
Seventeen miles along The Tunnel Of Trees, you’ll come across the Old Council Tree highway marker. A massive, beautiful tree stands adjacent to the Old Council Tree sign. While it can’t be the same tree that sheltered meetings here in the 1700’s, it makes it possible to imagine what that historic tree may have looked like.
Many a Native American tribal council was held in this location. One of the most famous took place after the massacre at nearby Fort Michilimackinac in July of 1763. Members of the Menominee, Chippewa, and Ottawa tribes gathered at the Council Tree to discuss their strategies against the British.
L’Arbre Croche Highway Marker
A short distance past the Old Council Tree you’ll find the L’Arbre Croche Highway Marker, where a huge crooked tree once stood. It marked the Odawa settlement that called this area home for many years. Descendants of the original Native American tribe still reside in the area.
Cross Village
The magnificent Tunnel of Trees ends in the historic town of Cross Village. The first residents were Odawa and Ojibwa Native Americans. In the late 17th century, Jesuit priests visited and established a mission here. Take a moment to admire the tall, white cross overlooking Lake Michigan. Father Jacques Marquette erected the giant cross on the bluff, and a replica of that cross still stands high above the lake today.
Redpath Memorial Presbyterian Church
This lovely church was constructed from stones off the beach in 1921. It was destroyed by fire shortly after and completely rebuilt. Eventually, the lumber industry in the area declined, and the population in the village declined along with it.. The church stood empty for years, until it reopened in the 1960’s. You can attend church services here in the summer if you are traveling the Tunnel of Trees on a Sunday. Find out who the guest speaker will be and at the Redpath Memorial Presbyterian Church Facebook page.
Legs Inn
Cross Village is famous for being home to the incredibly quirky Legs Inn. Now a Michigan State Historic site, the Inn’s beginnings stretch back to 1921 when a Polish immigrant named Stanley Smolak settled in Cross Village. He began collecting the twisted tree limbs, driftwood and stones that became the mainstay of the Legs Inn décor. The Inn gets its name from the inverted cast iron stove legs that line the roof.
Legs Inn has both indoor and outdoor seating. The dining rooms, tavern, balcony and game parlors are filled with wood carvings made from driftwood and twisted tree limbs. Decorations include authentic hand-carved totem poles, mounted bear, deer, owls and raccoons. And antlers. Lots of antlers! A beautiful stone fireplace welcomes visitors to the the dining rooms.
The bar is carved from the massive trunk of a hemlock tree. You can order wine, co*cktails, coffee drinks and choose from over 100 varieties of craft beer. If you’re ready to immerse yourself in a Polish experience, take advantage of Legs Inn’s fine Polish vodkas.
There’s also a unique gift store inside of the Inn. You can check out unique souvenirs like authentic Polish dolls, porcupine quill boxes and amber jewelry. And of course there are plenty of Legs InnT-shirts and postcards. Many of the items in the gift store are imported from Poland or made by local Native American artists.
We opted for outdoor dining in the extensive patio area. co*cktail in hand, we wandered through the gardens while we were waiting for our table. Adirondack chairs provided us with an inviting spot for taking in panoramic views of Lake Michigan.
We started out with a smoked whitefish spread appetizer, a delicious blend of a blend of smoked Great Lakes whitefish, cream cheese, and seasonings served with crackers and bread. Legs Inn is famous for serving up traditional Polish fare, so I figured I should take advantage of the opportunity. I went with their golabki: steamed cabbage leaves filled with slightly spicy seasoned ground beef and pork, rice, and smothered in homemade tomato sauce. David ordered their blackened whitefish sandwich, served with lettuce and tomato on a yummy ciabatta roll. The spice and level of being blackened was perfection! Other Polish dishes on their menu include pierogi (Polish-style dumplings) and kielbasa. (Polish smoked sausage with sauerkraut)
Our only regret that we were so incredibly full that we had no room for the decadent sounding molten lava cake. Looks like we’ll need to make a return trip!
Legs Inn is a seasonal restaurant, open from mid- May through late October. They typically have live music during the summer, although this was put on hold during the time of our visit due to COVID concerns. They have rustic cottages on -site as well, if you’re looking for a place to spend the night.
Legs Inn is a hugely popular destination restaurant, and they don’t take reservations. Minimize your wait time by arriving shortly before they open at noon, or opt for mid-afternoon when it’s less crowded. You can preview the menu at the Legs Inn website.
Tom’s Mom’s Cookies
Whether you begin or end your Tunnel of Trees adventure in Harbor Springs, make it a priority to stop downtown for some Tom’s Mom’s Cookies. This quaint shop, located at 267 Spring Street, has been selling their delectable cookies since 1985. With 17 different varieties to choose from, these hefty cookies are always incredibly soft and chewy.
I am a traditional cookie fan. I always get the Original Chocolate Chunk cookie loaded with walnuts and gooey hunks of chocolate. There are a number of choices with additional ingredients, including chocolate with caramel and pretzel, and chocolate with almonds and coconut. Chocolate not your thing? You can also get delicious oatmeal raisin cookies, cinnamon sugar, or old fashioned molasses cookies.
Tom’s Mom’s is open daily all year long Monday through Saturday from 10 am to 5:30 pm and Sundays from 10 am to 4 pm. Extended summer hours are from 10:am -10:pm. Be warned that the line can be long at times, but these incredible cookies are definitely worth the wait!
Head to the Tom’s Mom’s Cookies website to place an order and have these incredible cookies shipped right to your door.
Be advised that Michigan’s Tunnel of Trees is overwhelmingly popular in mid to late October, when the fall colors are their height. We once attempted the trip during the first week of October, thinking we were sliding in before the peak color season. We were clearly not the only visitors with this thought. The roadway was so crowded that it cut into the enjoyment of the drive. There were hundreds of cars in the parking lot at Pond Hill Farm, the Good Hart General Store was so packed we couldn’t even get in the door and we arrived at Legs Inn at 3:00 in the afternoon, and faced a two and a half hour wait for a table.
So plan accordingly if your heart’s desire is to see the trees in their full autumn splendor. You will likely be in the company of thousands of cars and motorcycles. If possible, head for the Tunnel of Trees during the week rather than on an overcrowded weekend.
Whether you’re interested in hiking through a winter wonderland, seeing springtime trilliums blanketing the forest fall, taking a dip in the lake on a hot summer’s day or being blown away by brilliant fall foliage, Michigan’s Spectacular Tunnel of Trees is a great, family-friendly destination throughout all seasons of the year.
More Great Adventures in Northern Michigan!
Ready to experience more of a Michigan autumn in all of its glory? Cruise the Breezeway, a 25 mile rural driveconnecting Atwood to Boyne City. Take in the colors as you travel past past farms, fields and forests. You’ll have plenty of time to plenty of opportunities to explore gift stores, antique shops, farm markets, restaurants, scenic overlooks, parks and hiking trails. Best of all, this tour ends with
Ready to experience more of a Michigan autumn in all of its glory? Cruise the Breezeway, a 25 mile rural driveconnecting Atwood to Boyne City. Take in the colors as you travel past past farms, fields and forests. You’ll have plenty of time to plenty of opportunities to explore gift stores, antique shops, farm markets, restaurants, scenic overlooks, parks and hiking trails. Best of all, this tour ends with chairlift ride to the top of the ski hill at Boyne Mountain for a breathtaking panoramic view. Find out more on our Cruise The Breezeway For Stunning Fall Color blog post.
Are you seeking other adventures in Northern Michigan? Look no further than Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore. Located in the northwest corner of Michigan’s lower peninsula, Sleeping Bear is among the crown jewels of Michigan’s parks. The landscape was shaped by glaciers thousands of years ago. Its diverse terrain includes fields and meadows, rolling hills, rivers and lakes, forests and sand dunes. The park stretches about 35 miles along the coast of Lake Michigan, book-ended by two hikes with stunning overlooks. Get insider tips on our Spectacular Sleeping Bear Dunes blog post.
If you have a bit more time cross over the Mackinac Bridge into Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. There are Great Lakes shorelines, historic lighthouses, waterfalls, and state parks all waiting to be explored Check out our blog post to learn more about Seven Scenic Spots In Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.
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