Find the top rated birding trails in Bay Saint Louis, whether you're looking for an easy short birding trail or a long birding trail, you'll find what you're looking for. Click on a birding trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
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Finally…….after months of trying to get down to Southern LA, we enjoyed our best overall rails to trails experience. Not that the TT is the best trail (great surface, clean restrooms, good security and frequent trailheads) rather it’s the whole package; great local restaurants, Lake Pontchartrain, Fontainebleau S.P., water splash pads, Abita Brewery, community fairs (Mandeville on Saturday & Abita Springs on Sunday), drive-thru daiquiris and the IMAX theater at Slidell.
Due to the impromptu nature of our trip, we had to stay in a motel in North Slidell, decent & inexpensive. We planned to tent camp at Fontainebleau or rent a B&B in Mandeville but everything was booked. The east terminus was easy to find but you will have to park across Gause Blvd. at the shopping centers if you don’t park at the trailhead. The trail is pine tree lined with a lot of crossing that will moderate your speed. Eventually, you reach the picturesque, rolling bascule bridge over Bayou Lacombe (bridge hours vary). We arrived at Fontainebleau ($3 entrance fee) to relax at the lake/beach/pier and roll through the campsites all under majestic live oaks, approx. 32 miles round trip.
The following day we drove to Abita Springs to ride the western half. First, we rode to the western terminus at Covington and turned around at the statue of Ronaldus Magnus and returned to Fontainebleau. When passing Mandeville, we explored the harbor area and rode along Lakeshore drive. Upon returning to Abita Springs, approx. 35 miles round trip, we partook of post ride refreshments at the brewery, free beer tokens come with the tour! We are definitely planning to return in the very near future; “laissez les bon temp rouler.”
Rode the eastern half of the trail, parking in Slidell. Big parking lot, restroom building, visitor's log. Dead flat trail (what else would you expect in the bayou?), wide, smooth, scenic, with a very rural feel and few road crossings. Talked with the trail manager at the lift bridge, which itself was a neat attraction. Turned around at Fontainbleu State Park for a 25 mile round-trip. The trail crosses the entry road with no trailside facilities, rather than traverse the park.
I would have liked to see another developed trailhead with full facilities; about every 5 miles is ideal. While in Covington I drove by that trailhead. The western half of the trail seems to get more urban, and I would expect to see a higher concentration of street crossings. Next time I'm in the area I will probably ride this trail again, and explore further west from Fontainbleu.
so awesome Trail well maintained and very flat and patrolled by Rangers great people just an awesome ride lots of rest spots. Shady
Woke up by 0600. I ate 3 eggs with spinach, finished it with a nice up of coffee. I started trail by 0945. The route from the trail head to lake airey was good. Got to lake airey and had a 30 minute lunch. Got back on trail by 1200. The first few miles towards POW lake were flat and easy at about the 11.5 miles it will get dense but nothing hard. The trail will go from 4 feet wide to about a foot wide. After the 12 mile marker, just know you will need to hike about .7 miles untill POW.. It was a great trail and worth every step
What an amazing trail! We sailed along on this flat paved partially-shaded surface loved every minute until I got a migraine and had to stop after only seven miles. 😞 Plan to try again tomorrow.
1st time, long distances riding, picked a good trail to start. We found it to be very nice, wide, clean and shaded for a sunny day, I was concerned about not being able to use the restroom, well you do have plenty places to stop with the right facilities. Highly recommended! Lots of places to stop, sit and stretch, along the trace. We enjoyed the streams, squirrels and the turtle pond @ marker 13.
Enjoyed a great round trip ride on the Trace! The trail is very well maintained and regularly monitored. I did have a hard time finding anyone in the Trailhead centers even though I was there during open hours. No biggie, very enjoyable ride. Note that there's a bike shop at the Covington end and about midway.
Rode from the zoo to the spillway and back. Really nice ride with no stopping. Total of 54.2 miles round trip. There is good parking next to the zoo. There is a bathroom about 16 miles north from the start.
This is a very easy trail but a good scenic trail. Get to look at a lot of different types of nature, ponds, lakes, and a POW camp. Flat trail that makes the higher mileage easier for newer hikers.
Rode the trail in Laplace and then south from the spillway.
Nice and smooth in most areas. Great way to ride
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