Tammany Trace: Best bike trail near Nola

A white sand beach with trees and sunbathers
Beaches, boutiques, quirky museum and picturesque bayous await cyclists along Tammany Trace, the best bike trail near Nola.

Formerly an Illinois Central Railroad corridor, the paved and shaded Tammany Trace – the best bike trail near Nola – lets cyclists of all skill levels choose their own adventures and offers plenty of reward for a little (or a lot) of pedaling.

“It’s safe. There’s the scenery, and lots of cool stops,” says Chelsea Severio, who pedals the trail frequently.

She offers some advice for those just discovering the 28-mile north shore stretch. “Start earlier or later to avoid the heat,” she says. Then adds, with a laugh, “And get a cup holder for your bike.”

From sandy beaches and pretty bayous to trail-side brewpubs, boutiques and the Abita Mystery House, you’ll find something to love along the best bike trail near Nola.

This story originally ran in the New Orleans Times-Picayune/Advocate. Read the full article at Nola.com.

Or, if you’re looking to get farther out of town, we recommend one of these easy day trips from New Orleans.

Cyclists pass each other on a tree-lined bike path
Tammany Trace, a 28-mile long bike trail near Nola, waits for cyclists on Lake Pontchartrain’s North Shore. Photo by Jessica Fender
A stand of cypress trees grow along a lake beach
Tammany Trace bike trail links up to Fountainebleu State Park, where a sandy beach fringes Lake Pontchartrain. Photo by Jessica Fender
A cyclist waits at a trailhead
Visitors to Fontainebleu State Park can cycle along the park’s nature trails. Photo by Jessica Fender
A four piece band performs at an outdoor amphitheater
The Mandeville Trailhead on the Tammany Trace is the perfect spot to start a bike trip on Saturdays, when a sprawling farmers market appears and live bands play. Photo by Jessica Fender
A sign for Old Rail Brewery stands in front of a brewpub.
Old Rail Brewing Company, near the Mandeville Trailhead, is one of may places to eat and drink along Tammany Trace. Find Abita Brewing (and the quirky, roadside attraction-style Abita Mystery House) at the Abita Springs Trailhead.

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