If There Are Only 5 Hikes You Ever Do In Louisiana, Make Them These
What Louisiana lacks in rugged terrain hikes, we make up for in beautiful bayou scenic views. If you’re looking for some of the best hikes in Louisiana, check out the list below. These five hikes range in difficulty, so if you’re new to hiking you can add the more challenging hikes to your goal board. Be sure to click the links under each trail to learn more!
During these uncertain times, please keep safety in mind and consider adding destinations to your bucket list to visit at a later date.
The 18-mile trail loops around Lake Chicot, making this one of the longest trails in Louisiana. The trail gives visitors a glimpse of the park’s beautiful landscape, including the hardwoods and the swampy parts of the lake. There are several primitive campsites along the trail, so you can spend the whole weekend exploring this beautiful spot.
Chicot State Park is located at 3469 Chicot Park Rd, Ville Platte, Louisiana.
Learn more about the trail here.
Chicot State Park is located at 3469 Chicot Park Rd, Ville Platte, Louisiana.
Learn more about the trail here.
Located in the Kisatchie National Forest, the Wild Azalea Trail is the longest hiking trail in Louisiana. Approximately 30 miles long, this trail is perfect for a weekend backpacking trip, but you can hike shorter sections to get a feel for it. The trail is well marked, and there are several parking areas along the way. The start/end points for the trail are the Woodworth Town Hall and Valentine Lake.
Learn more about the Wild Azalea Trail here.
Learn more about the Wild Azalea Trail here.
The boardwalk trails at Barataria Preserve will give you a glimpse at 20,000 acres of marshes, swamps, and bayous that will amaze you. There are a few different trails, and they’re all less than two miles long, so you can mix and match to get the perfect hike in.
Barataria Preserve is located at 6588 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, Louisiana.
Learn more about the Barataria Preserve Trail here.
Barataria Preserve is located at 6588 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, Louisiana.
Learn more about the Barataria Preserve Trail here.
The Tammany Trace is a series of paved roads that winds through parts of St. Tammany Parish. The Trace will lead you through parts of Covington, Mandeville, Abita Springs, Lacombe, and Slidell. The paved trails are great for biking and rollerblading, and there’s also a horse trail that runs parallel for parts of the trail. You can hop on and off wherever you’d like, and enjoy lunch (or a drink!) at one of the trailheads.
Learn more about the Trace here.
Learn more about the Trace here.
The Monkey Trail is a 6.5 mile loop trail that’s perfect for both hiking and biking. The trail is rated as moderate, and is accessible year-round. The trail features gorgeous wildflowers and you’ll be able to hear chimpanzees from the sanctuary nearby.
The Monkey Trail is located at 7835 Caddo Dr, Keithville, Louisiana.
The Monkey Trail is located at 7835 Caddo Dr, Keithville, Louisiana.
How many of these trails have you hiked? Are there other trails you think should be on the list? Let us know in the comments below! We love to hear your feedback. And be sure to check out our other favorite hiking pieces: Forrest trails, Trails less than 2 miles, and our favorite swamp trails.
