This Little Known Hiking Path in Louisiana is Our Favorite First Hike of the Year

Most of us set a New Year’s resolution to be more active. How long we keep that resolution, of course, varies, but I think we all do genuinely put a genuine effort into it. If you’re like me and hoping to get outdoors more in 2026, then you’re going to love this little-known hiking path in Louisiana. It's short, sweet, and scenic, which are all the ingredients you need for an excellent outdoor adventure.

The Tree of Soles trail is a 2.3-mile loop trail in the Kisatchie National Forest. There are hundreds of primitive hiking trails in the Kisatchie, so if you’re looking to level up your hiking game in 2026, this 600,000-acre national forest is the place to be. Seriously, there are over 100 hiking trails within the forest, and each one will take you on an incredible adventure.

This trail is near Woodworth, near the Indian Creek Reservoir. Admittedly, the trail isn’t very well marked, but if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll love this little-known hiking path.

The trail begins at Duke Road. Park on the side of the road and then follow the dirt road for a bit until you see the trail from the main path. It’s going to be one of those “Is this the trail?” moments, but trust your gut. Have your Alltrails account handy so you can follow the trail map.

This is one of the many equestrian trails that run through the Kisatchie, so you may encounter other riders. Rustic Sky Horse Camp and Hayes E Daze Ranch are nearby, and Rustic Sky offers trail rides if you’re interested! 

I’d recommend wearing long pants and proper hiking boots for this trail. Once you turn onto the trail, you’ll notice it can be a bit overgrown. This is always a great indicator to me that the trail isn’t traversed very often…but it also means that spiders may have spun their webs right in my path. Having the proper hiking gear before you set out can make or break your hike. These primitive trails can get pretty muddy, and I always like to keep a scrubby brush and a bottle of water in my car so I don’t destroy my car. That red clay can really be a pain to remove!

Thanks to Louisiana’s mild winters, wildflowers may be in bloom—even in January! There are a ton of wild azaleas along the trail but those typically don’t bloom until spring. Come back in April to see them in full bloom!

The Tree of Soles trail is named for the unique tree you’ll see on the trail. Don’t worry, you can’t miss it. The idea is to leave a pair of shoes on the tree as a symbol of releasing a burden that’s plaguing you. Seems like a perfect way to spend New Year’s Day, right? 

It’s certainly not something you come across every day. I love this little hidden gem of a trail. Obviously, you’re not required to toss up your shoes. Feel free to just sit for a moment and reflect on what you want to accomplish in the New Year.

Share this article with someone you want to traverse this little-known hiking path in Louisiana with. For more epic hiking opportunities, check out some of our favorite hiking trails in the Kisatchie. You might even be inspired to tackle the Wild Azalea Trail! There are enough hiking trails in the Kisatchie to hit a new trail every weekend in 2026! Try planning your own trip using Only In Your State’s itinerary planner.