Great Places to Ride Your Bike in Louisiana

There are several things to remember when biking in Louisiana. First of all, it can get pretty hot and humid, so bring plenty of water and insect repellant! Secondly, be on the lookout for wildlife, such as alligators or even wildcats. Some of the trails have been known to have "intruders" who might not be so eager to make your acquaintance. Always ride with a friend and stick to the trail.

Covering the state, there's places all over it that are worth investigating. There's the Stoner Trail, in the Shreveport area, and it's got several trail areas, that are color coded for difficulty. Most are near the river, and it's well maintained and popular with local riders; there's even a bike shop in the area. There are plenty of scheduled events, so check them out and schedule your next ride through there with some company.

Another Shreveport mountain biking destination is so called "Monkey Trail". It's in Eddy D Jones Park and regularly has a park ranger riding over it; there's a 10 mile loop with the first 7.5 miles of rolling hills that have some hard ascents and some hair raising descents. Rumor has it that the nickname comes from the agility needed to go up the hills; it's a nice technical challenge on the last quarter of the trail, but isn't so daunting that beginners need to stay home.

Lincoln Parrish Park near Ruston is one of Louisiana's best kept secrets. Surrounded by woods, this 10-mile loop features jumps, drops, climbs, descents, and lots of fast riding. There is something for everyone here, from beginners to experienced bikers. However, a lot of it is technical, so unless you're prepared to work on your skills, don't expect a leisurely ride here! There are a number of events held here throughout the year, so the track is always well-maintained.

The Lake Claiborne State Park near Homer has several miles of trails that involve a lot of climbing. The downhill sections are fast and short and then you'll be climbing again. Prepare for quite a workout! It's especially challenging after a rainfall when the trails are rather muddy. There are cabins available to rent nearby, if you want to stay in the area overnight.

Heading south, we've got to Baton Rouge, where the Hooper Park Trails give eight miles of well maintained trails, sorted by interlocking loops so you can test your skills on the technical challenges. Like a lot of high use trails, they're well flagged and color coded by difficulty; if you're still getting started, stick with the blue trails. There are a few unmarked trails, but try those at your own risk - they can be quite challenging!

Bodcau near Bossier City is one of the best trails in Louisiana. There are 10 miles of several loops involving fast descents and long climbs. It may be too difficult for beginners. The climbs are tiring, but the incredibly speedy downhill sections are totally worth the effort!

Louisiana has a varied terrain with most of the hilly areas in the northern parts of the state, while the southern areas are more swampy and consist of marshlands. Naturally the better places to ride will be found in the north. The trails listed above are a great place to start when discovering everything Louisiana has to offer bikers of all levels of experience.