Ride the Irish Hills: A Self-Guided Motorcycle Tour
There’s no better way to experience the Irish Hills than by taking the “scenic route(s)”.
With winding roads, beautiful lakes, small towns and plenty of places worth stopping along the way, the Irish Hills is made for exploring on two wheels. The Irish Hills Regional Chamber of Commerce has created a self-guided motorcycle tour featuring four routes designed to help riders experience different corners of our region at their own pace.
Choose one route for an afternoon ride, connect multiple routes for a longer adventure, or simply use the map as inspiration to see where the road takes you.
Four Routes. One Beautiful Region.
The Manitou Route
Cruise through the Manitou Beach area and take in some of the region’s most recognizable lakes, including Devils Lake and Round Lake. This route is perfect for riders looking for beautiful water views, relaxed lake-town scenery and places to stop and explore along the way.
The Tourist Route
Follow historic US-12 along the corridor that helped make the Irish Hills a well-known Michigan destination for generations. Once lined with roadside attractions, resorts, lakeside stops and family destinations, US-12 carries much of the history and nostalgia people associate with the Irish Hills.
Today, the route is still a great way to experience the character of the region, with beautiful lakes, local businesses, historic landmarks and plenty of places to stop along the way.
The Brooklyn Route
Ride through the heart of the Irish Hills with a route centered around Brooklyn, Vineyard Lake and Wamplers Lake. Brooklyn has long served as a hub for the region, making this route a great mix of scenic lake views, local businesses and small-town charm.
Take your time, stop in downtown Brooklyn, and enjoy one of the most recognizable areas of the Irish Hills.
The Small Town Route
Take the back roads from Brooklyn toward Manchester and enjoy a quieter ride through the countryside. This route celebrates exactly what makes a motorcycle ride through the Irish Hills special: open roads, small communities and plenty of scenery between destinations.
Make the Ride Your Own
The best part of a self-guided tour is that there is no schedule to follow.
Stop for lunch. Explore a local shop. Take a break by the lake. Find a new favorite business. Or connect two or three routes and turn your ride into a full-day adventure.
The Irish Hills spans four counties — Jackson, Lenawee, Hillsdale and Washtenaw — and is home to 14 unique communities and 52 beautiful lakes. No matter which direction you take, there is always something more to discover.
So grab the map, choose your route and hit the road.
Explore. Connect. Repeat.
Plan your next Irish Hills adventure at IrishHills.com.