Louisiana's Best Bike Trails and Routes for Cyclists

Louisiana's mix of backcountry dirt trails and paved urban pathways allows road cyclists and mountain bikers to comfortably explore its diverse geography. From the pine forests of northern parishes to the wetlands of southern coastal regions, these two-wheel routes crisscross unique terrain and landscapes while providing a unique look into Louisiana's character. Exploring them is an opportunity to explore quaint communities and their attractions while staying in shape. 

Here, we'll highlight Louisiana's best bike trails for varied skill and bike types. And we'll even spotlight trails for exploring the outdoorsy side of Louisiana and paved greenways ideal for leisurely urban rides. Whether you prefer mountain challenges or flat path cruising, Louisiana's extensive biking network presents ways to immerse in the natural beauty and culture of varied regions in the United States from the comfort of your two-wheeler.

Lafitte Greenway

The Lafitte Greenway is a beautiful pathway that allows riders to discover a lovely selection of historic sites, neighborhoods, public areas, and shopping outlets in central New Orleans. It stretches from the edge of the bustling French Quarter to the entrance of City Park. Although it is a relatively short route, countless attractions and experiences enable bikers to maximize the journey. The southeast end of the path provides access to the French Quarter, about a block away, where you can admire symbolic murals along a picturesque walk.

Riding along the Lafitte Greenway will also take you to Louis Armstrong Park, named in tribute to the legendary jazz musician. Besides a beautiful statue of the icon, the 32-acre park has a performing arts theater, an auditorium, and a section of the New Orleans Jazz National Historic Park. The route ends a few blocks from the sprawling City Park, home to countless recreational facilities, including a sculpture garden, theme park, carousel, and the New Orleans Museum of Art. 

Red River Bicycle Trail

The Red River Bicycle Trail takes cyclists on a 6.6-mile trip through the heart of Shreveport, running along the Clyde Fant Memorial Parkway. It delivers spectacular river and downtown skyline vistas to fuel the journey, with access to several park spaces and recreational opportunities. Riverview Park marks the beginning of the trail and serves as a welcoming outdoor space with manicured gardens and intimate sculptures, culminating in the ideal atmosphere for a picnic. 

The trail winds through several park areas before reaching its destination, including the Veterans & Freedom Park. This has a lovely disc golf course, allowing you to take a break for laid-back recreation. Your journey will end at the Charles and Marie Hamel Memorial Park, another pleasant open space spanning 17 acres with picnicking, hiking, and boating opportunities. 

Baton Rouge Levee Bike Path

The Baton Rouge Levee Bike Path blends convenience, inclusion, and multiple attractions to present one of Louisiana's best bike paths. This 15-foot-wide path welcomes walkers, joggers, and riders to enjoy easygoing recreation along a well-lit route with luxuries like fountains, resting benches, and separate lanes for walkers and cyclists. Spanning about 4.1 miles, the Baton Rouge Levee Bike Path boasts a mile-long riverfront promenade in the downtown region, offering access to some of Baton Rouge's top attractions. These include the Louisiana Art & Science Museum, where you can immerse in an exciting arts and culture scene, and the USS Kidd Naval Museum, which offers a unique look into the country's naval heritage. The trail also takes you past the Old State Capitol building, making the experience educational as well. 

Rock Island Greenway

The Rock Island Greenway was inspired by the railroad that once occupied its path and played a significant role in Ruston's establishment. This remarkable multi-use trail accommodates walkers, joggers, runners, and bikers. It runs about 6 miles through the city and connects universities, schools, businesses, and recreational facilities. The paved pathway traverses picturesque greenery, providing shade from Louisiana's scorching sun. It is well-maintained, thanks to the local community's initiative to enhance its members' overall health and wellness. 

The route is a healthy and safe way for Rustonians to move around. Residents and students collaborated to paint beautiful public art, including a large mural portraying an active scene, which adds to the thrill of riding the pathway. The trail remains open year-round and always impresses with a fine state. 

Mississippi River Trail

The Mississippi River Trail is among the longest bike trails in the country, spanning thousands of miles between Lake Itasca in Minnesota and Venice in Louisiana. Much of the trail follows paved roads, with the Louisiana section stretching 64 miles along the scenic banks of the great Mississippi. This popular pathway presents a unique perspective of the famous waterway, with a chance to explore various communities along the way. However, most cyclists prefer the 20-mile portion from New Orleans, connecting Audubon Park to Bonnet Carre Spillway. 

Multiple parking options along the journey allow bikers to rest and regain their strength before resuming the journey. Audubon Park is an excellent stopover; it has an on-site zoo where you can savor unique encounters with exotic and endangered wildlife species. The route is relatively easy and accommodating to all skill levels, with no cross-traffic interruptions. 

Wisner Trail

The Wisner Trails presents a fun journey on an asphalt route where bikers enjoy lush greenery in an urban atmosphere. It borders two of New Orleans' most sought-after recreational spaces, including City Park. Covering approximately 1,300 acres, the park offers plenty of opportunities, including disc golf courses, amusement parks, a botanical garden, and athletic fields. However, the highlight is the New Orleans Art Museum, a crucial cultural hub that lets you sample intimate art pieces. 

The other side of the Wisner Trail borders Bayou St. John, a commercial waterway sandwiched by the Mississippi River and Lake Pontchartrain that residents and tourists use for various recreation. Besides soaking up unprecedented water vistas, cyclists can take a break to picnic on the Bayou's grassy banks. Alternatively, venturing onto the water for a canoeing or kayaking excursion is a welcome activity. 

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Crescent Park Trail

Stretching about 1.4 miles along the banks of the Mississippi River, the Crescent Park Trail was built to revitalize the city after Hurricane Katrina's devastation. It features a smooth asphalt surface ideal for walkers and runners and passes through major cultural sites in New Orleans, like the historic French Market and The National WWII Museum. Exploring the trail is a chance to discover several neighborhoods and their unique cultures. It begins where the French Quarter interacts with Marigny and continues east, bordered by the Mississippi River and railroad tracks on either side. 

About midway through the journey, a pedestrian bridge provides a worthwhile stopping point with parking off Chartres Street. From there, you can take in gorgeous New Orleans' downtown skyline vistas. The path further passes through the Bywater neighborhood and ends at a lot off Mazant Street. 

Final Thought

Whether you seek rugged single-track adventures or relaxed scenery-viewing cruises on paved pathways, Louisiana's best bike paths invite endless exploration of the Bayou State's diverse geography and history from the saddle. Between the Mississippi River banks and the urban oasis of New Orleans, cyclists can immerse themselves in the state's indoor and outdoor beauty through bike-friendly routes. The bike trails above provide a taste of the comfortable two-wheeled access to Louisiana's landscapes, leaving ample incentive to continue venturing across the state by bicycle.