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Great Waters Tour - July 2026

Introduction
Great Waters Tour - July 2026 image

Great Waters Tour / July 2026

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Great Waters Tour - July 2026

This 300-mile tour is 100% paved and 100% on public roads.

Experience the beauty of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula as you travel from St. Ignace to Cedarville, Sault Ste. Marie, Paradise, and Curtis before returning to St. Ignace.

Enjoy scenic bike rides, kayak adventures, and visits to natural wonders like Tahquamenon Falls and the Les Channeaux Islands, with comfortable lodging and special events along the way.

Tour Highlights

Tour Highlights image

At a glance

Day 1 - Travel to St Ignace and Orientation

Day 1 - Travel to St Ignace and Orientation image

Arrive in St Ignace, Orientation and Dinner

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Travel to St Ignace

Arrive early for self-guided tour. Orientation & guest reception at 5:30 p.m. Dinner at the big tent.
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Firehouse Inn

980 N State, St. Ignace, MI 49781

Hotel check in 4 p.m. 980 N State, St. Ignace, MI 49781. 906-643-7922. Guest orientation, dinner reception at 5:30 under the big tent!

Day 2 - Bike to Cedarville and Les Channeaux Islands

Day 2 - Bike to Cedarville and Les Channeaux Islands image

Bike Ride to Cedarville and Kayak Adventure

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Bike to Cedarville

Bike to Cedarville, 34 miles. Your chance to see the Les Channeaux Islands, as time allows. Optional Sunset kayak ride. Kayak $110/pp + tip.

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Lakeview Resort Motel

3078 W Lake Street, Hessell MI
Lakeview Resort Motel, 3078 W Lake Street, Hessell MI. 906-484-2474.

Day 3 - On to Sault St Marie and Soo Locks

Day 3 - On to Sault St Marie and Soo Locks image

Cycle to Sault St Marie and see the Soo Locks

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On to Sault St Marie

On to Sault St Marie, look for deer. St Mary's River, Rock Cut, 47 miles. See the Soo Locks, and some big ships! The SS Alpena is pictured here, the oldest vessel in the US fleet!

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Lockview Motel

327 W Portage Ave, Sault Ste. Marie MI
Lockview Motel, 327 W Portage Ave, Sault Ste. Marie MI. 800-854-0745.

Day 4 - Ride to Paradise along Whitefish Bay

Day 4 - Ride to Paradise along Whitefish Bay image

Ride to Paradise and Lunch on Whitefish Bay

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Ride to Paradise

Ride to Paradise, 55 miles. Lunch on Whitefish Bay. Today's your first chance for a metric century.

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Curley's Paradise Motel

8356 N Whitefish Point Road, Paradise, MI
Curley's Paradise Motel, 8356 N Whitefish Point Road, Paradise, MI. 906-942-3445.

Day 5 - Ride around Paradise, see Whitefish Point

Day 5 - Ride around Paradise, see Whitefish Point image

Explore Paradise, Whitefish Point and the Shipwreck Museum

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Ride around Paradise

Ride around Paradise, up to 40 miles. Visit Whitefish Point and the Shipwreck Museum as part of the day's activities. Enjoy the scenic beauty and local attractions in the area. Look for opportunities to explore the falls and museum at your own pace, with flexible riding distance options available. No set schedule for the day, allowing for a relaxed exploration of Paradise and its surroundings. With some luck, you may see ships like the Arthur Anderson, pictured here. The Anderson is famous as the 'hero ship' for heading back into the storm when the Edmund Fitzgerald was lost, just 15 miles out to sea from here. Bring your camera for memorable sights and experiences throughout the day. Stay at Curley's Paradise Motel in Paradise, MI for the night. Contact: 906-942-3445.

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Curley's Paradise Motel

8356 N Whitefish Point Road, Paradise, MI
Curley's Paradise Motel, 8356 N Whitefish Point Road, Paradise, MI. 906-942-3445.

Day 6 - Ride to Curtis and Belvedere Grand

Day 6 - Ride to Curtis and Belvedere Grand image

Cycle to Curtis, Lunch in Newberry, Tour Dinner

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Ride to Curtis

Ride to Curtis, 60 miles/1260'. First sag stop today is Tahquamenon Falls. Lunch in Newberry. Tour Dinner tonight at Belvedere Grand. Belvedere Grand is the new name for Chamberlin's Ole Forest Inn.

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Belvedere Grand

N 9450 Manistique Lk Rd, Curtis, MI
Belvedere Grand, N 9450 Manistique Lk Rd, Curtis, MI. 906-586-6000. Belvedere Grand is the new name for Chamberlin's Ole Forest Inn.

Day 7 - Return to St Ignace and Grand Vista

Day 7 - Return to St Ignace and Grand Vista image

Cycle Back to St Ignace and Lake Michigan Beaches

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Return to St Ignace

Return to St Ignace, 50 miles, with option to add 18 miles. Spectacular sand and beaches on Lake Michigan. ETA of 3 p.m. Tour ends on arrival back in St. Ignace. This is our Grand Vista day!

Loading Map…

Map

1. Firehouse Inn

980 N State, St. Ignace, MI 49781

2. Lakeview Resort Motel

3078 W Lake Street, Hessel, MI

3. Lockview Motel

327 W Portage Ave, Sault Ste. Marie, MI

4. Curley's Paradise Motel

8356 N Whitefish Point Road, Paradise, MI

5. Belvedere Grand

N 9450 Manistique Lk Rd, Curtis, MI