Tunnel of Trees Heritage Route – M 119

Trees, trees and more trees. This route is lined with a canopy of Oak/Maple, Northern Hardwood, Maple/Beech, Hemlock, and Hemlock Cedar as well as other species as far as the eye can see. Some of the Hemlock and White Pine are over 200 years old, with an average age of 60 years. It is a sight to behold in the fall with the changing leaves. The area’s pastoral character has been preserved since 1936 when Mrs. C.F. (Alice) Irwin. an early naturalist and preservationist, used her state-wide newspaper to promote a grassroots effort to save the route from development. Today the route is managed by a committee of township representatives and the Emmet County Lakeshore Association. Partners are the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians, and Emmet County Planning, Zoning, and Construction Resources. The route travels through the communities of Harbor Springs, Cross Village, and Mackinaw City.