Below is a list of the top and leading Hiking Trails in New Orleans. To help you find the best Hiking Trails located near you in New Orleans, we put together our own list based on this rating points list.
New Orleans’ Best Hiking Trails:
The top rated Hiking Trails in New Orleans, LA are:
- Brechtel Park – other opportunities for casual recreation
- Woldenberg Park – water feature is accessible to guests
- Sankofa Wetland Park & Nature Trail – create 40 acres of wetlands in the Lower Ninth Ward in 2014
- Couturie Forest – is a refuge for nature enthusiasts
- Bayou Sauvage NWR Ridge Trail & Boardwalk – offer winter feeding and sheltering spaces for waterfowl
Brechtel Park
Brechtel Park is an excellent location to take in nature in our highly developed world. This nature area is a top spot for birdwatching along the Mississippi Flyway thanks to the lagoon system and the variety of trees and vegetation.
Aside from sitting on park benches near the lagoon’s edge and taking pictures of wildlife, other opportunities for casual recreation include hiking along a variety of trails, enjoying picnics at tables dotted around the park, taking the kids to the playground, exploring Scout Island, day-camping by the Scouting community, climbing on grassy mounds, and renting open shelters for gatherings, parties, and weddings. The park has 8 shelters that can each hold 100 people. In front of Shelter 2, there are restrooms for Shelters 1-6.
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LOCATION:
Address: 4401 Lennox Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70131
Website: www.nola.gov/brechtel-park
REVIEWS:
“Peaceful area, quiet, and security was there. I noticed trail paths one gravel and a paved path near the entrance. I didn’t drive the full route in the park, only the lake area with the birds. Nice area for a picnic or party.” – Winona R.
Woldenberg Park
Woldenberg Park is a large, open green area measuring 16 acres that stretches between the Mississippi River and the famous French Quarter. Visit the nearby Audubon Aquarium of the Americas or Entergy Giant Screen Theater to start or end your stroll through the park. City people like the sculptures and artwork, as well as the riverbank jogging trail.
Be prepared for spectacles like a lively festival, an unexpected second line, or a roaming band. Woldenberg Riverfront Park is the perfect place to relax because of its ideal location. The 90-foot linear water fountain is a pleasant feature. Located in front of Audubon Aquarium of the Americas, the water feature is accessible to guests whenever the aquarium is open, provided the weather is suitable.
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LOCATION:
Address: 1 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70130
Phone: (504) 861-2537
Website: www.audubonnatureinstitute.org/woldenberg-park
REVIEWS:
“We went here when we were getting ready to hop onto the ferry. Nice and peaceful during our walkthrough. Pretty nice views although we did not stick around very long because we didn’t want to miss the ferry. If you have some extra time and are in the area I’d say it’s worth a quick walkthrough. Total disclaimer tho because I really didn’t do much here lol.” – Tony A.
Sankofa Wetland Park & Nature Trail
Sankofa Wetland Park & Nature Trail, in order to aid with flood protection, environmental education, community regeneration, economic growth, and recreation for everybody, Sankofa Community Growth Corporation (CDC) found an opportunity to create 40 acres of wetlands in the Lower Ninth Ward in 2014.
Sankofa acquired ownership of the land under a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement (“CEA”) with the City of New Orleans, and since then, it has labored to change it from an area of blight and illegal dumping into a massive ecological marvel, with natural species, flora, and fauna from Louisiana returning to the area in large numbers. In order to work with locals on the planning and design of the project early on, Sankofa CDC hosted a series of public workshops with Caufield Consulting and the National Parks Service’s Rivers Trails and Conservation Program.
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LOCATION:
Address: 6401 Florida Ave, New Orleans, LA 70117
Phone: (504) 872-9214
Website: www.sankofanola.org/wetland-park-and-nature-trail
REVIEWS:
“Really nice place to visit and enjoy what nature has to offer. The group at Sankofa is serious about protecting our wetlands and growing native plants and trees.” – Erika B.
Couturie Forest
Couturie Forest has eight different habitats, including Laborde Mountain, which is the highest point in New Orleans. Oxygen and sherpas are provided upon request, and the elevation measures a frightening 27 feet above sea level. The best place to see birds in New Orleans is Couturie Forest.
Birdwatchers frequently encounter 40 or more species during a single outing. Without ever leaving the city, Couturie Forest is the ideal spot to unwind. The 60-acre Couturie Forest, which is part of Scout Island, is a refuge for nature enthusiasts in the middle of New Orleans, home to native trees, beautiful streams, and unique fauna.
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LOCATION:
Address: 1009 Harrison Ave, New Orleans, LA 70124
Phone: (504) 483-9376
Website: www.neworleanscitypark.org/couturie-forest
REVIEWS:
“I really enjoyed this quiet spot in City Park. Even on one of the busiest days of the year, this spot has significantly less traffic. It’s quiet and very beautiful. I love all of the flowers and shaded areas. We also saw lots of butterflies. It has a small area for parking, a few picnic tables, and some easy walking trails.” – Tabitha D.
Bayou Sauvage NWR Ridge Trail & Boardwalk
Bayou Sauvage NWR Ridge Trail & Boardwalk was created in 1990 and is home to a number of different wildlife habitats, such as bottomland hardwood forests, freshwater, brackish, and estuarine tidal marshes, lagoons, canals, and natural bayous. These diversified ecosystems, a significant resting place in the Mississippi Flyway, provide year-round habitat for about 340 different bird species.
It’s not unusual to see an American alligator in the refuge. The majority of the refuge is enclosed by hurricane levees that were constructed to shield New Orleans from storm surges and flooding. A system of pumps and flap gates controls seasonal water levels since the levees obstruct natural water movement. Water is controlled to enable emergent grass development in the summer and to offer winter feeding and sheltering spaces for waterfowl.
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LOCATION:
Address: 20876 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129
Phone: (985) 882-2000
Website: www.fws.gov/hiking
REVIEWS:
“My family and I absolutely love this trail. There is a boardwalk trail where we often see wildlife such as birds, snakes, rabbits, nutria, etc. Just this past weekend we did a piece of the gravel trail which had beautiful views overlooking the marsh.” – Tamra R.
Ermily has worked as a journalist for nearly a decade having contributed to several large publications online. As a business expert, Ermily reviews local and national businesses.