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Print Friendly MapThe 17th Street Canal occupies an important position in the Greater New Orleans area. It forms the boundary between the City of New Orleans and its neighbor to the west, Metairie in Jefferson Parish. It's also the largest and most important drainage canal for the city. Earthen levees with grassy sides hem it in, with a concrete wall at the top to contain the water. Right on the top of the west levee, adjacent to the I-wall sits this walking and biking path.
The trail parallels the canal waterway south from Metairie-Hammond Highway by Orpheum Drive to the dead end of N I-10 Service Road E. A block west of the northern end of the trail, the Pontchartrain Lakefront Trail runs along the edge of the lake for 12 miles.
The concrete wall somewhat obscures the water, but you can catch a glimpse of it. There isn't a crosswalk at Veterans Memorial Highway bridge, but you can head west or east briefly on Veterans Boulevard to reach a crosswalk.
The trail ends on the service road just north of I-10, but another trail named for the interstate, continues seamlessly from there. The I-10 trail winds underneath the roadway to the other side, where it ends. Combined with the I-10 Trail, you can travel a total of about 2.8 miles one way.
Thanks to its proximity to houses and industries near the canal, this trail is suited to local residents who are looking for a place to stretch their legs or walk their dogs.
Parking is available a block west of the trail's northern end at the Bucktown Marina picnic area, which serves as the eastern trailhead for the Lakefront Trail.
The trail is straight and smooth with no intersecting streets between Veterans Blvd and Hammond Hwy. There is no official crossing of Veterans Blvd, I guess go to the crosswalk to the east. The trail is on top of a dike with a concrete floodwall that prevents any view to the east. This is not a destination trail but has utility if in the area anyway. Parking available at the north end at Bucktown Marina picnic area just a block west.
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