Houston, Texas, gets pretty hot in the summer–but that doesn’t stop determined bicyclists. There are plenty of great bike trails in Houston that showcase the city’s historic and natural beauty.
Some trails are confined to wooded parks, while others wind through downtown Houston. In this article, we’ll take a tour of the seven best trails for bicyclists in the Houston area. (We’ll even toss in some info about trail difficulty, parking options, and more)
Houston’s Best Biking Trails
Houston is a big city with plenty of bike lanes and smaller parks–like Donovan Park or Stude Park–for quick rides. But if you’re looking for the hottest spots for longer rides, here are our top seven picks:
Buffalo Bayou Park Trail
Buffalo Bayou Park trail is one of the most popular bicycling and hiking spots in Houston. It’s a 17-mile-long asphalt path situated between Memorial Drive and Allen Parkway. For those who recently relocated to the greater Houston area, this trail is also known as the “Sandy Reed Memorial Trail.”
The Bayou trail winds through landscaped gardens, wooded areas, and along the Bayou Creek itself. While on the trail, you can see Houston’s skyline, as well as natural wildlife, such as herons, turtles, and butterflies.
The trail has fifteen endpoints, the farthest apart being Lockwood Drive and Memorial Drive. You can find easy access points at Sawyer Street and Sabine Street.
- Level of Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
- Length: 17 miles
- Parking Options Nearby: Water Works visitor center, metered parking at Sabine and Taft St., and parking lot H on Memorial Drive
- Admission Fees: N/A
Memorial Park Bike Trails
Memorial Park is a cyclist’s paradise with over 11 miles of trails for all skill levels. The park includes five easy trails, five intermediate trails, and four very difficult trails.
Memorial Park’s trails range from older fire roads to dedicated single-track paths, catering to both smooth rides and rugged adventures. The Bayou Wilds section offers some of the park’s most challenging trails for those wanting to put their cycling abilities to the test
The Purple Loop stands out as the top mountain biking trail in Memorial Park, offering thrilling twists and turns that will take your skills to the next level.
(Note: The east end of Memorial Park also features a bike wash, which is free to the public).
Before you go to Memorial Park, call the Trail Line Hotline (713-863-8403) for up-to-date trail closings. The city takes care of the paths, but sometimes they are closed for maintenance or because of weather.
- Level of Difficulty: Beginner to Very Difficult
- Length: 11.8 miles
- Parking Options Nearby: South Picnic Lane
- Admission Fees: N/A
Heights Hike and Bike Trail
The Heights Hike and Bike Trail, often referred to as the “MKT/SP Rails to Trails” path, is four miles long and is located in the heart of Houston. The trail winds along the old Missouri, Kansas, Texas Southern Pacific Railroad, but is paved with concrete.
Intersecting with the White Oak Bayou Greenway three times, the Heights Hike and Bike Trail offer easy access to other popular Houston bike trails, including Discovery Green. This interconnected network makes it simple to extend your ride (for those wanting to hit new personal records).
The trail has three heads, at the intersection of W 26th and Nicholson St., at the end of Moy St., and White Oak Bayou Greenway near Hogan St. and Glaser Drive.
- Level of Difficulty: Beginner
- Length: 4.6 miles
- Parking Options Nearby: Lawrence Park
- Admission Fees: N/A
Lake Houston Wilderness Area
For a more rugged and adventurous biking experience, the Lake Houston Wilderness Area is ideal. About 30 minutes north of downtown Houston, the Wilderness Park spans nearly 5,000 acres, with dense forests, campgrounds, and creeks.
Mountain biking is a must-do activity in the Lake Houston Wilderness Area. With over 20 miles of trails, there’s plenty to explore. Of all the trail options, the Ameritrail stands out. It extends along Caney Creek and offers stunning views (and a longer ride than many of the other trails).
Note that the Ameritrail isn’t a complete loop but hooks into 5-Mile Road to bring you back to the center of the park.
All the biking trails at Lake Houston are beginner-friendly, and three of them are equipped for e-bikes.
- Level of Difficulty: Beginner
- Length: 20 miles
- Parking Options Nearby: Lots on Forest Trail road
- Admission Fees: $3 per person ages 13-65, free for children, seniors, and military
Terry Hershey Park Hike and Bike Trail
Terry Hershey Park, a beloved spot for cyclists in Houston, offers 11 miles of shaded trails for a comfortable and scenic ride. In 2021, the park updated its signage to more inclusive trail etiquette signs, making it welcoming for all riders.
A great feature of Terry Hershey Park is its connection to the George Bush Park Hike and Bike Trails, allowing you to extend your ride for another 11 miles.
The trail has a few entry points, including those at the intersection of Boheme Dr. and Isolde Dr. and at Barker Reservoir. You can also enter at Park Row Blvd. and Whittington Dr. However, Whittington does not connect to the larger trail because there is no crossing once you get to the creek.
- Level of Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
- Length: 11.8 miles
- Parking Options Nearby: Highway 6 lot, Beltway 8 lot, Dairy Ashford Road
- Admission Fees: N/A
Southbelt Hike and Bike Trail
As one of the shorter trails on our list, the Southbelt is ideal for any cyclist who wants a quick, relatively flat jaunt.
The trail starts in the South Belt / Ellington neighborhood on Blackhawk Blvd. and ends in a loop around Dixie Farm Road Park. The whole trail is asphalt and intersects many streets, but designated crosswalks are available, and it’s a relatively quiet neighborhood.
The trail moves through Bishops Park, Clear Brook City Park, and Dixie Farm Road Park, all of which have various fitness stations, picnic benches, water fountains, and parking options.
- Level of Difficulty: Beginner
- Length: 3.75 miles
- Parking Options Nearby: Blackhawk Blvd and Dixie Farm Park
- Admission Fees: N/A
West White Oak Bayou Trail
The West White Oak Bayou Trail is perfect for cyclists exploring Houston’s extensive trail network.
The trail is one of the longest in the city, connecting Jersey Village to central Houston. Unfortunately, there aren’t many endpoints or road crossings, so it’s hard to only traverse part of the trail. But, it’s all paved and relatively flat, so it’s ideal for e-bikes and road bikes if you want a faster pace.
Plus, the end of the trail connects to the Buffalo Bayou Trail, so you could potentially extend your ride for another 17 miles.
- Level of Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate
- Length: 22.7 miles
- Parking Options Nearby: Alabonson Rd., T C Jester Blvd., and Stude Park
- Admission Fees: N/A
Gear Up for Houston’s Bike Trails in Style
Whether you’re looking to bike solo at Buffalo Bayou or want to take the whole family on an adventure through Memorial Park, your bicycles and other gear need to be in tip-top shape.
To make sure your bike is ready to hit the road for your next ride, consider storing it in a climate-controlled location, out of direct UV exposure and other elements. Bike chains and brakes can easily seize up if not stored in a temperature-regulated environment. Most people keep their bicycles in their garage or shed, but if you don’t have the space, consider local storage options.
Neighbor.com is a peer-to-peer storage marketplace that has pre-vetted hosts in neighborhoods across Houston (and the US). You can find a safe place to store your bikes at a fraction of the cost of a traditional storage unit!
