16 of the Best Bike Trails in Houston
Houston features miles of trails for you to try, designed to cater to riders of all skills and backgrounds. Let’s take a look at some of the best bike trails in Houston.
Terry Hershey Hike and Bike Path
If you are looking for a relaxing trail that takes in the Buffalo Bayou, Terry Hershey park is the right option for you. Thanks to the tall trees, there is much shade. At 12.2 miles, it will be suited for beginner riders. You can even pack a lunch and stop at one of the picnic areas to make it a day out.
Memorial Park
This is one of the best bike trails in Houston, offering a wide range of trails. There are plenty of road bike paths that you can explore, taking in the beautifully maintained parklands. Or if you can prefer, you can head off-road for some mountain biking. Because of how extensive the trails are, you should check out this map.
If you don’t have your own bike, Memorial park will have some available to rent. Though you will only be able to use this on a paved pathway. It should also be noted that you won’t be able to use electric bikes on the south side. There are lots of places where you can park your car. For example, you can park at the land bridge and prairie, just off Memorial Drive. Or you can park at one of the many sporting clubs and golf courses, depending on which part of this great place you want to explore.
Brays Bayou Greenway Trail
If you want a longer ride, you might want to try the Brays Bayou Greenway Trail. This trail stretches for around 33 miles. But it will be relatively easy to ride, as it is paved. Though you will have to share with walkers, it will be wide enough to overtake easily.
Even better, this path will take you past some iconic landmarks. Most of the time, you will head east, so you’ll be able to see the University of Houston and the Texas Medical Center. You will also be able to see the NRG stadium and the Houston Zoo. This is close to the museum district, where there are 19 galleries and museums for you to explore. If you are looking for a unique attraction, you should check out the Orange Show Museum. Or you can use this to access the main street. That’s why this trail is often used by commuters who want to ride to work in the third ward.
It will take you through many of the rural areas, stopping close to the shipping channel. This trail can also be a connector to the next two parks on our list, Hermann Park and Mason Park.
Hermann Park
This is probably one of the most beautiful bike trails in the Houston area. That’s why it’s listed on our Best Bike Trails in Houston. It has become popular with students from nearby Rice University. You’ll be able to enjoy the beautiful water fountains. Or you can stop for some relaxation in the tranquil Japanese garden. You can make a day out of it by packing a lunch and exploring the stunning park. If you want a longer ride, you can connect with the Brays Bayou Greenway Trail. It’s no wonder this is often referred to as an urban oasis and one of the best places in Houston.
Mason Park
Another place that has excellent bike trails is Mason Park. This is one of the biggest sporting facilities in Houston, featuring lighted tennis courts, a golf course, and a swimming pool. There is even a hall, which runs after-school and holiday activities for children. You’ll also be able to explore a 1.8-mile bike track. If you want an extra challenge, there is exercise equipment next to the track. If you have kids, there is a skate park close to the park. You can drop them off and get a friend to look after them while you ride along the trails.
Heights Hike and Bike Trail
This trail is a great way to explore some of the historic districts of Houston. It was once known for its unique architecture and the artistic way the houses were decorated. You’ll also be able to get a view of the stunning skyline of downtown Houston. Plus, there is lots of greenery to give you shade along the way.
George Bush Park
If you live and work in the energy corridor, or are looking for a way to explore that part of Houston, you should check out the George Bush Park hike. The trail is 11 miles long and will take you through some picturesque territory. You’ll be able to take in lakes and cross over bridges. There are plenty of forested areas, providing lots of shade. If you want to stop along the way, there are lots of picnic spots for you to try.
Jack Brooks Park Trail
If you are looking for some fun trails in downtown Houston, this might be the ideal location for you. There are around 5 miles of dirt tracks that you can explore, which makes this is a great place for mountain bikers. Each of these paths will wind its way through the forested areas, offering plenty of shade to keep you cool. Plus, there are plenty of dips, turns, and rises to keep you on your toes.
Huntsville State Park
This is one of the largest urban parks, offering miles of hike trails for you to explore. Many of the trails will offer you a stunning view of Lake Raven, as you ride your way around it. If you like going off-road, this is then Huntsville State Park is the ideal place for you.
There are plenty of trails that you can explore. For example, you might want to try the Chinquapin Trail. This is a 6.8-mile loop. You might also want to test your skills on the 8.5-mile loop known as Triple C. This will allow you to work your way along most of the park and will test your dirt bike skills.
If you want to take on a long bike ride, you might want to try the Long Sandy Trail. This is an 18-mile track. It offers long uninterrupted stretches, so you can enjoy the sensation of being amongst the trees. As a pro tip, riders wanting to stay overnight can call the rangers and arrange a primitive campsite. This is a good way of breaking up the trek and providing some opportunities for wildlife viewing. There are plenty of native birds that reside in the area. If you want to learn more about this state park and download some maps of the area, you should visit the website.
White Oak Bayou Greenway
This is a good way of getting around the city. The White Oak Bayou trail will stretch for 14 miles and allow you to travel to historic areas, like Allen’s Landing. But it also connects with other parks and greenways. For example, it will connect with the Heights hike and bike trail, from there you will be able to get a range of other parks. But there is no risk that you will forget that you are in the city. You’ll often be traveling under busy overpasses and meeting with fellow riders. This makes it one of the best biking trails for traveling in an urban environment.
Brazos Bend State Park
This state park offers many different trails that you can explore, often looping into each other. You can try riding along a dirt road or traveling through the forest. Or you can take a trip around the lake. Depending on the time of year you might even be able to see alligators. If you want more time to explore, you will be able to spend some time in the park overnight. After all, there are over 37 miles of trails for you to explore. With so much to do, you might plan to spend a weekend in this great park.
However, you should be aware that you will need to pay a fee to enter the park. It will be $7 for people over 13, if your children are under 12, they will be free. You might need to pay additional fees if you are planning on camping in the park.
Buffalo Bayou Hike and Bike Trail
This trail begins at the intersection of Commerce and Main street. The goal is to try and build an interconnected series of trails across Houston. This will let you ride along the banks of the river for almost 20 miles. This extensive trail system will help to connect most of the different sections of bike paths around Houston, making it one of the best ways of exploring the city. Many of these paths will be shared, so stick to the bike lane.
Bayou Park
There are multiple parts of Buffalo Bayou park for you to explore. If you are looking for a quick ride, you can try the Loop. This is a 4.8-mile loop, which takes in most of the park. Or if you are feeling adventurous, you can take on the Buffalo Bayou Trail, which goes for 15 miles and stretches around the city. So, you can visit Heights Boulevard if you want.
If you have pets, this is the ideal place for you. There is a dog park at Buffalo Bayou park, so you can leave them with a friend to look after them. This park is easy to find, it’s just off Allen Pkwy. If you want a unique sight, ride this park at sunset. Thanks to the Waugh Drive Bat Colony, there will be thousands of bats filling the sight each night. With so much to do, it’s no wonder it’s one of the best linear parks in the Houston area.
Lake Houston Wilderness Park
If you are looking for a more challenging bike trail, then you might want to explore this sprawling nature center. A particular highlight amount mountain bike riders is the North River Trail. This is ideal for those wanting a longer ride, as it stretches for 6 miles. In total, though, the park has around 26 miles of tracks for you to explore.
However, unlike some of the other options on this list, it will be a little more rustic than the other Houston bike trails, as you ride through an oak forest. This can make it more suited to experienced riders, as the trail can be a little difficult to follow at times. Because it features a lot of dirt trails, it might not be suitable to use after a period of heavy rain. You don’t want to get stuck in the mud.
Sandy Reed Memorial Trail
This is a paved trail, which has recently been renovated to make it more accessible for cyclists. The Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street section has recently been resurfaced. It is hoped that many of the trails around the city will be incorporated into one big urban trail. Once this happens, it will be one of the best ways to get around Houston.
Using These Bike Trails
The good news is that most of the bike paths around Houston are designed to be as accessible as possible. This means that they can be enjoyed by riders of all skill levels. Even better, these trails will cover most of the city, to provide easy access.
All you need to do is get the right type of bike. If you are going to enjoy your time in the green space this city has to offer, you should be comfortable. If you want to check out some of the Best Bike Trails in Houston it’s important to make sure you get the right type of bike for you. With so many road bikes available, it can be difficult to decide which one you should be using. To make this choice easier, you can use this guide to women’s beginner road bikes in case you were thinking what size bike do I need.
Conclusion
If you enjoy cycling, Harris County is the perfect place for you. There are acres of parks to explore and it’s easy to use trails to get around. If you like to get off the beaten path, there are a few parks that have dirt paths designed to thrill mountain bike riders. With so many options it can be difficult to decide what great trail you want to take on first. We hope you enjoyed these tips for some of the best bike trails in Houston.
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