You don’t have to travel very far to take a stroll through nature. Luckily, there are several beautiful nature trails all within a 30-minute drive from New Orleans, each one more stunning than the next. Next time you are itching to get out of the house and spend some time outdoors, these are some of the best hikes in New Orleans to explore.

1. Barataria Preserve
Barataria Preserve, 6588 Barataria Blvd, Marrero, LA 70072, USA
Laura Staggs/All Trails
There are several trails peppered throughout Barataria Preserve, and each one is less than two miles long, so you can mix and match to fit your schedule. It’s about a 30 minute drive from New Orleans, but you’ll be immersed in some of the most beautiful natural scenery in southeastern Louisiana, making the drive worth every mile.
2. River Walk
Riverwalk, New Orleans, LA 70130, USA
Saurabh Darekar/All Trails
For sweeping views of the Mighty Mississippi, the River Walk is the place to go. Sit for a spell and watch the barges cruise through the waterways, enjoy the nice breeze, and take in the lovely skyline shots of the city. And maybe grab a cup of coffee and some beignets from nearby Cafe du Monde!
3. Bayou Sauvage Ridge Trail
Bayou Sauvage NWR Ridge Trail & Boardwalk, 20876 Chef Menteur Hwy, New Orleans, LA 70129, USA
Lori Jenkins/All Trails
The trail at Bayou Savage Ridge is just shy of seven miles, but you don’t have to go the entire route. The boardwalk trail makes it easy for just about anyone to walk, and kids will love getting to see all of the wildlife in the area.

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4. Couterie Forest
Couturie Forest Trail, Houston, TX 77045, USA
Jerame Cramer/Google
Nestled within City Park, the trail within the Couterie Forest will make you feel like you’ve stumbled into another world. Beautiful water views underneath canopies of oaks and pines make this trail a true hidden gem in the Crescent City.
5. Audubon Adventure Trail
11000 Lake Forest Blvd, New Orleans, LA 70127, USA
Trenton Thomas/All Trails
The Audubon Louisina Nature Center has a few different trails you can explore, and this one is just over a mile in length, and great for anyone looking to just get outside and clear their mind without having to drive too far.
6. Lafreniere Park Loop
3000 Downs Blvd, Metairie, LA 70003, USA
Hugo Cabrera/All Trails
For a fun little loop trail, head on over to Metairie’s largest park, Lafreniere Park. The loop trail is about 2 miles long, and you’ll see several birds along the way including swans, ducks, and even some chickens.
7. Audubon Park Loop
Audubon Park Trail, New Orleans, LA 70118, USA
Spencer Koenig/Google
This lovely little loop trail might just be one of the most popular trails in New Orleans. It’s about 2 miles long and will take you throughout the perimeter of the park. With ample shade from the majestic oak trees and beautiful scenery along the way, this is one trail that should move to the top of your bucket list.

We loved being able to tell you about some of the best hikes in New Orleans, do you think that there are any we missed? Let us know! And if you’re looking for more hiking in the area, check out our article on more majestic trails waiting to be discovered.

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More to Explore

Best Hikes New Orleans

Sara Dager | April 22, 2022

Are there any haunted hikes I can go on in New Orleans? 

New Orleans has so much exciting and creepy supernatural history to discover! Vampires, ghosts, and witches, oh my, lurking around every corner, make almost any excursion in the city just a little bit chilling. However, sometimes you really want to delve into that scary stuff and luckily there are a few hikes with a spectacularly hair-raising story. For example, the Maurepas Wildlife Refuge features multiple trails and is rumored to be haunted by a voodoo priest! Or if you want to stay out of the woods and have a guide, you can take this haunted hike through the French Quarter.

Can I hike to abandoned places in New Orleans? 

There are a couple different hikes just outside of New Orleans that will take you to some exciting abandoned spots. You can lace up your boots and set out on the hunt for an Abandoned Military site at the Woodlands Conservancy. This land has more than 10 miles of trails to explore so it's great for a full day of adventuring. Or you can get some steps in exploring the abandoned Six Flags at 3011 Michoud Blvd. If driving is more your speed, you may like this abandoned places road trip.

Are there any natural wonders in New Orleans? 

There is a lot of natural beauty in New Orleans to wonder at! The topography of Louisiana and its flora and fauna are so special and unique, and even in the most populated and urban areas you'll find yourself stopping to wonder at a good tree or a cool bird pretty regularly. We have compiled a list of natural wonders in New Orleans for you to check out and help plan some fun excursions. One that really pops out to us as a can't miss is the musical Chime Tree in city park.

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