Grand Traverse County’s VASA Pathway offers year-round outdoor recreation

At 4444 Bartlett Road in Williamsburg, Grand Traverse County’s VASA Pathway stretches across more than 20 miles of non-motorized trail in the Pere Marquette State Forest. Its mix of loops, singletrack and trailhead amenities gives it a role that changes with the calendar. In winter it draws skiers and fatbikers; by spring and summer it turns into a route for runners, hikers, mountain bikers, walkers and naturalists.

A trail system built for every season

The county’s layout makes VASA unusually versatile. The main pathway includes 3K, 5K, 10K and 25K loops, with terrain that ranges from easy to difficult, so the same public land can serve a casual outing and a more demanding workout. A separate 3K snowshoe and hiking loop is scenic, flat and approachable for families, beginners and anyone looking for a low-stress winter walk.

VASA is in Traverse City, is marked with wayfinding signs, and runs as a network of loops rather than a single path.

Which routes fit which users

For cross-country skiers, the groomed loop system is the core attraction. TART Trails maintains and grooms the pathway under agreement with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and Grand Traverse County, which keeps the winter surface functional for regular use and for the North American Vasa race series. The trailhead’s year-round warming hut, along with gathering space and restroom access, gives winter users a place to regroup before or after a ski.

Mountain bikers have their own draw in the VASA Singletrack, a 13-mile beginner-intermediate route with three loops and a total ascent of just 100 feet. That low climbing total makes the route approachable while still offering enough length to feel like a real ride. Runners tend to spread out across the marked loops, while hikers and walkers can choose the shorter, flatter options when they want a less technical outing.

The 3K snowshoe-and-hiking loop offers a simple entry point. Its flat profile and scenic setting make it a practical route for winter movement without the pressure of a timed event or a difficult climb. Naturalists also use the broader pathway network.

Access, trailhead amenities and safety

The Vasa Trailhead sits on the edge of state land. The county’s public access point ties the loops, singletrack and winter use together. The trailhead’s warming hut makes the site usable in cold weather and gives visitors a reliable indoor stop.

Hunting is permitted on the DNR land that includes the pathway. Users should wear blaze orange or bright colors during hunting seasons, especially on quieter side routes and during early morning or late-day visits.

A race tradition with real local weight

VASA has a long-running racing culture. North American Vasa dates the Traverse City tradition to 1977, though a local history account traces the race back to 1976, when Ted Okerstrom, George Lombard and Olympic skier Vojin Baic organized a small event with about 40 participants. The 25K Vasa Pathway officially opened in 1991 in collaboration with the DNR.

The North American Vasa is now a two-day festival of cross-country ski and fatbike races held annually the second weekend in February.

Why the trail matters beyond race day

The same corridor also helps drive one of the region’s best-known mountain bike events. The Bell’s Iceman Cometh Challenge is a 30-mile point-to-point race that starts at Kalkaska Airport and finishes at Timber Ridge Resort in Traverse City, using dirt roads, two-tracks, abandoned railroad beds and the Vasa Nordic ski trail. About 5,000 mountain bikers take part each year.

The county is still investing in the site. Planning documents dated Sept. 29, 2025 outline a Vasa Trailhead concept with accessible parking, a bike and ski maintenance area, a trailhead information kiosk, improved landscaping, native stormwater features and a future multi-use trail. Grand Traverse County also plans improvements for fall 2026 that include repaving the parking lot and improving stormwater management, and commissioners supported grant applications for about $800,000 in planned trailhead upgrades.

Forty acres now known as Bartlett Park and the VASA Trailhead were deeded to Grand Traverse County in 1991. TART Trails’ wider network of multi-use trails in Grand Traverse and Leelanau counties, plus a cross-town bike route, includes VASA.