Glacial Hills Pathway and Natural Area is Bellaire's backyard trail system: roughly 760 acres of hardwood hills just north of town, with about 31 miles of trail for mountain biking, hiking and trail running. It's owned by Antrim County, Forest Home Township and the Village of Bellaire and protected by the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy, and the Friends of Glacial Hills look after the trails.
Trailheads and loops
There are three trailheads, each with its own set of marked loops. Distances are from Friends of Glacial Hills.
Eckhardt Road trailhead
| Loop | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pine Tree | 1.5 miles | The novice trail, the place to start |
| Maple Leaf | 2.3 miles | Option out to the overlook above the North Arm of Lake Bellaire |
| West Valley | 3.4 miles |
Vandermark Road trailhead
| Loop | Distance |
|---|---|
| Bear Den | 3.3 miles |
| Deer Run | 3.8 miles |
| Rolling Hills | 5.2 miles |
Orchard Hill Road trailhead
| Loop | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Switchbacks | 2.3 miles | Moderate |
| Crown | 2.6 miles | |
| The Wall | 2.6 miles | |
| Never Never Land | 5.7 miles |
Longer rides
| Combo | Distance |
|---|---|
| Switchbacks + Crown | 4.5 miles |
| Switchbacks + Bear Den | 5.6 miles |
| Deer Run + West Valley | 8.3 miles |
| The Wall + Never Never Land | 8.7 miles |
| West Valley + Rolling Hills | 9.6 miles |
| The Outer Loop | 20.3 miles |
Which loop should I ride?
- New to mountain biking, or riding with kids: Pine Tree from Eckhardt Road.
- A hike with a view: Maple Leaf, with the side trip to the Lake Bellaire overlook. Best in fall color.
- A solid intermediate ride: Switchbacks + Crown from Orchard Hill.
- A big day: the 20.3-mile Outer Loop.
Check trail status first
Friends of Glacial Hills posts a trail status on its website: "Hit the trails", "Be Cautious" or "Rest Day". Riding wet trails leaves ruts that take a long time to fix, so if it's a rest day, ride something else. Spring thaw and the day after heavy rain are the usual mud times.
Winter: fat bikes, skis and snowshoes
The Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association has groomed Glacial Hills for winter riding since 2015, with about 7.5 miles of fat-bike trail from the Vandermark and Orchard Hill trailheads. Their winter rules:
- Tires 3.7 inches or wider, at 4 psi or less.
- Ride when it's below 30°F. If you're leaving ruts deeper than an inch, turn around.
- There are also about 3.25 miles of groomed cross-country ski trail and 2.5 miles of foot trail.
- No dogs on the fat-bike or ski trails, and no walking on the bike trail without snowshoes.
More winter options in cross-country skiing and snowshoeing near Bellaire.
Trail rules
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
- No motorized vehicles and no horses.
- Yield to hikers, and call out when you pass.
- Stay on marked trails, and pack out everything you bring in.
- Wear blaze orange in fall. It's hunting season.
After the ride
Downtown Bellaire is just down the road: a pint at Short's or a cider at Bee Well is the traditional finish. Or head back to the house for the hot tub. See our wine, mead and distillery trail.
Frequently asked questions
How many miles of trail are at Glacial Hills?
About 31 miles, across three trailheads on Eckhardt, Vandermark and Orchard Hill Roads. The Outer Loop alone is 20.3 miles.
Is Glacial Hills good for beginners?
Yes. The Pine Tree loop from the Eckhardt Road trailhead is the 1.5-mile novice trail.
Can you fat bike at Glacial Hills in winter?
Yes. NMMBA grooms about 7.5 miles of fat-bike trail. Use tires 3.7 inches or wider at 4 psi or less, and ride when it's below 30°F.
Are dogs allowed at Glacial Hills?
Yes, on a leash at all times. In winter, dogs aren't allowed on the groomed fat-bike or ski trails.
Sources
Trail maps, loop distances, status and rules from Friends of Glacial Hills. Winter grooming and rules from the Northern Michigan Mountain Bike Association. Ownership from our hiking guide and the Grand Traverse Regional Land Conservancy. Checked November 1, 2026.