New Orleans Hiking & Trekking Guide 2026

Top trails

Routes worth lacing up your boots for.

1. 1

   Barataria Preserve Bayou Coquille and Visitor Center Trails

   About 9 miles (14 km) of boardwalk and trail across the preserve; the Bayou Coquille loop is 1.5 miles (2.4 km)1-3 hourseasyFlat, about 0 ft (0 m)

2. 2

   Bayou Sauvage National Wildlife Refuge Ridge Trail

   About 2 miles (3.2 km) of boardwalk and trail1-2 hourseasyFlat

3. 3

   Audubon Park Perimeter Loop

   A 1.8-mile (2.9 km) loop around the park lagoon and golf course30-60 minuteseasyFlat

4. 4

   City Park and Couturie Forest Trails

   Several miles of paths; Couturie Forest has about 1 mile (1.6 km) of dirt trails1-2 hourseasyFlat

5. 5

   Lafitte Greenway Walk

   2.6 miles (4.2 km) one way1 hour each wayeasyFlat

6. 6

   Tammany Trace

   Paved 31-mile (50 km) rail trail from Covington to Slidell; the Mandeville section suits 5-10 mile (8-16 km) outings1-3 hourseasyFlat

7. 7

   Fontainebleau State Park Nature Trail

   About 3 miles (4.8 km) of trails through oak woods and marsh1-2 hourseasyFlat

8. 8

   Big Branch Marsh National Wildlife Refuge

   Boardwalk and trails of 1-3 miles (1.6-4.8 km) depending on route1-2 hourseasyFlat

Trail difficulty levels

Pick a route that matches your fitness and experience.

When to hike

Seasonal conditions in New Orleans.

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Local hazards

What to watch out for on the trail.