Louisiana's Best Biking Trails

With geography as diverse as Louisiana’s, cyclists of all kinds are sure to find a trail (or trails) that suit them best.

 

Bike

Mountain bike trails in Louisiana offer a variety of terrain features perfect for every level of rider.

Louisiana’s rural trails and urban loops offer road cyclists and mountain bikers much to enjoy. Looking for high-octane adventure in the hills? North and central Louisiana has challenging terrain that mountain bikers might not expect from a place more commonly associated with swamps than summits. Or how about coasting through a cypress-tupelo forest through the bayou? Numerous Louisiana bike trails will get you close to its famous waterways.

Louisiana’s miles of paved paths offer road cyclists the chance to cover miles of the state that are just as diverse. Routes take cyclists past sugar cane fields and crawfish farms, through the cities of Baton Rouge, Shreveport and New Orleans, and down highways that hug the Mighty Mississippi River.

North Louisiana

Red River Bicycle Trail

Shreveport

Spanning more than six miles through downtown Shreveport, the Red River Bicycle Trail is a “must” for two-wheeled travelers interested in seeing north Louisiana’s largest city. You’ll pass numerous city parks along the way. 

Lakeshore MTB Singletrack

Shreveport

This loop trail is filled with switchbacks and tight squeezes, ranging in elevation of about 250 feet and crossing over bridges down dirt and sandy patches. The loop runs approximately five miles total, and is dog-friendly as well.

Lincoln Parish Park

Ruston

Ruston is a city known by many visitors and locals as the Peach Capital of Louisiana. For mountain biking enthusiasts, the area is known for Lincoln Parish Park. With twists, turns and inclines galore, the 10 miles of off-road tracks at this north Louisiana preserve are worthy of the hype.

Big Tree Hiking Trail

Bossier Parish

Don't let the name deceive you (it isn't just for hiking) — this seven-mile-long, intermediate-level mountain biking trail  is located at Barksdale Air Force Base near Bossier City. There are more than 50 tree species in this hidden gem of a preserve, many of which you’ll see when riding over the long (and sturdy) bridges that span its marshes.

Central Louisiana

Kincaid Lakeshore Trail

Kisatchie National Forest is a massive outdoor wonderland of hills, forests and waterways. Biking here is excellent, thanks to destinations like the Kincaid Lake Trail. This nine-mile singletrack MTB loop trail is great for beginners to intermediate, with minimal obstructions and spectacular views of Kincaid Lake throughout. 

Wild Azalea Trail

Woodworth (near Alexandria)

The Chief of the U.S. Forest Service designated this as a National Recreation Trail, for its spectacular scenery showcasing the natural beauty of central Louisiana. Wild Azalea Trail, like the Kincaid Lake Trail, is in Kisatchie National Forest. Within its 31 miles, you’ll find climbs and sharp hills, as well as some flatter stretches that allow riders to slow down and take in the remote forest vistas.  

Caroline Dormon Trail

Provencal (near Natchitoches)

Caroline Dormon was an environmentalist and writer who advocated for the creation of Kisatchie National Forest in the 1930s. So it’s only fitting that a popular trail in the heart of the forest is named for her. This 10.5-mile end-to-end trail (not a loop) ends near the Kisatchie Bayou Recreation Complex. It’s close to creeks — great for swimming — and the Longleaf Trail Scenic Byway, which is just one of the many driving trails throughout the state known as Louisiana’s Scenic Byways.

Southwest Louisiana

New Iberia to Avery Island Loop

New Iberia

Bring your bike and your appetite to this trail. Highlights of the 25.5-mile loop include the Avery Island hot sauce factory (open for tours) and the nearby nature preserve Jungle Gardens, and the city of New Iberia, where restaurants serve up Cajun and Creole cuisine daily.

Chicot State Park

Ville Platte

Steep hills and deep cypress-tupelo forests dominate the landscape at this state park. Measuring 18 miles in length, this is Chicot State Park bike trail is one you’ll definitely want to tackle with a sturdy mountain bike. Take in views of scenic Lake Chicot, make a side trip to the Louisiana State Arboretum nearby and, after a long day of riding, sleep at one of the state park’s campsites.

Baton Rouge & River Road

Baton Rouge Levee Bike Path

Baton Rouge

At the edge of downtown Baton Rouge, bordering the Mississippi River is an imposing levee. At the top of it: A beautiful, well-maintained paved trail. Known simply as the Baton Rouge Levee Bike Path, this 4.3-mile trail leads from the downtown promenade to Farr Park. It’s well-lit, with separate lanes for walkers and cyclists, and is a charming attraction that offers a break between seeing the sites of Louisiana’s capital city.

Bonnet Carré Spillway Trail

Norco

Off-road biking … near New Orleans? That’s right. Found on the outskirts of Louisiana’s largest city, the Bonnet Carré Spillway Trail is an easy five-mile trail that is great for families looking to see Louisiana’s outdoors without venturing far from the Crescent City. Expect to find bridges and berms, and a few twists and turns.

The Beast

St. Francisville

In the plantation region north of Baton Rouge is a challenging off-road bike trail with a name to match. Known simply as The Beast, this winding dirt path offers plenty of twists and turns in its short five miles. Expect deep forest cover, a few bridges and gullies, and switchbacks that are geared towards experienced cyclists.

Northshore Area

Tammany Trace

Slidell

The Tammany Trace is a Northshore (north of Lake Pontchartrain) destination for hikers, cyclists and families looking for a quick getaway from New Orleans. It’s a rails-to-trails project, constructed from former train tracks that once went through the area. The paved path, totaling 31 miles, begins in Slidell and ends in downtown Covington. Along the trail — suitable for road bikes and mountain bikes alike — you’ll pass over bayous and through the charming towns of Mandeville, Abita Springs and Lacombe.

Bogue Chitto State Park

Franklinton

Far up on Louisiana’s Northshore is one of the state’s most beloved natural areas, Bogue Chitto State Park. This is a haven for cyclists, hikers and equestrians alike. The mountain biking trails, of which the Gorge Run Trail is the highlight, takes visitors up hills to river overlooks, through dense forests and over scenic pond

 

Learn more about biking in Louisiana.