With all of the sunshine and clear skies, biking can be a breeze in Houston. Biking has become increasingly popular in locations like Downtown, the Museum District, and the East End during the past few years as bike lanes have been systematically extended around the city. In this article, we look at the best bike trails in Houston to get you outside and having fun.
It’s also a great, environmentally responsible alternative mode of transportation. However, Houston’s constant hustle and bustle also pose difficulties for bikers. In addition, locals know that many of Houston’s freeways and roads can be dangerous to travel on two wheels, let alone four.
Progress is still progress, and according to the Houston Bike Plan, enacted in 2017, the city is on schedule to keep improving its bike-ability. The results of those efforts are beginning to be seen. Houston scored 29th among the top 50 bike-friendly cities in a new Anytime Estimate study of data.
The Houston region has many streets, trails, and bike lanes that will make you fall in love with the city. See below for a tour of the top biking destinations in the area.
1. White Oak Bayou Trail
Location: Houston, TX 77002
Hours: Open 24 hours
One of Houston’s longest continuous bike trails, the White Oak Bayou track, spans the city for 17 miles and is one of the best bike trails in Houston. The route, which runs alongside White Oak Bayou and connects Rice Military to the Heights, provides some of the best views of Houston’s downtown skyline. In addition, the trail will give you a terrific workout because it has several bridges.
Paved pathways ideal for road bikes can be found in White Oak Bayou, and you’ll usually see other bikers riding alongside you. Unfortunately, there aren’t many water fountains along the route, so if you’re planning a long ride, bring enough water.
2. Buffalo Bayou Hike and Bike Trail
Location: 18-3600 Allen Pkwy, Houston, TX 77019
Hours: 6:00 am to 11:00 pm
Just outside downtown, Buffalo Bayou Park offers some of Houston’s most breathtaking views. In addition, the park is one of the best bike routes in Houston for an urban immersion experience, thanks to its industrial bridges and a ton of trees and plants.
The 15-mile route traverses the city along a beautiful section of Buffalo Bayou. The track is ideal for short and long rides, and it features sights like the Waugh Drive Bridge, home to a colony of 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats, as well as a beautiful vista and opportunities for people-watching while you ride.
For a shorter ride, there is a 4.8-mile circle in the park that is well-liked by runners and cyclists since it makes an excellent training ground for those who live close to downtown.
3. Terry Hershey Hike and Bike Trail
Location: 15200 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079
Hours: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm
The Terry Hershey Hike and Bike Trail, located in Memorial to the west, offers access to 10 miles of wonderfully forested routes for riders. This running path is ideal for those looking to leave the downtown districts without traveling too far.
Because the trail is heavily shaded and has a combination of paved and gravel paths, it’s a wonderful choice if you’re looking for a break from cycling in the Texas heat. In addition, the trail conveniently links to the George Bush Park Hike and Bike Trails to the west, offering a cool ride along the shores of Buffalo Bayou.
4. Brays Bayou Greenway Trail
Location: 9601 Braes Bayou Dr, Houston, TX 77074
Hours: Open 24 hours
The 14-mile Brays Bayou Greenway Trail winds through Houston’s central and southern parts. It is more tranquil than other routes, such as Buffalo Bayou and White Oak. As a result, it offers plenty of scenery for a leisurely riding day making it one of the best bike trails in Houston.
The route also links to the Medical Center, which provides many bike lanes for riders seeking a little urban exploration at the beginning or conclusion of their trip.
Although there isn’t a lot of shade along this path, the city is always enhancing the trails to make them more sanitary and convenient for recreation. Local bikers frequently use the Brays Bayou Greenway, and you can often see them riding there from early morning until well after night.
5. The Heights Hike & Bike Trail
Location: Houston, TX 77008
Hours: Open 24 hours
One of the best bike routes in Houston for viewing the city skyline is The Heights Trail, which runs through one of the city’s most diverse neighborhoods.
The track, which is just under 5 miles long and offers numerous picturesque vistas, is ideal for a quick bike ride and leads you through White Oak Bayou while passing by great rest areas like M-K-T Heights and Donovan Park for families and kids.
Along the journey, you’ll see plenty of lovely flora and breathtaking vistas of the Houston skyline. Also, don’t miss some of the vibrant, historic residences in the Heights neighborhood, which is renowned as the city’s “artistic” district.
6. Memorial Park Hike and Bike Trailhead
Location: 6501 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77007
Hours: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm
With its impressive 30 miles of trails, Memorial Park has a lot to offer. This is one of Memorial Park’s defining features, and it attracts many West Houston residents who enjoy riding, running, and strolling there.
The park’s trails have gravel pathways and wooded sections. Several paved places are also available for bikers to use.
But suppose you’re a cyclist, especially a mountain biker. In that case, you’ll want to skip the pedestrian trails and head to the Color Trails instead, which have six tracks that offer the best mountain biking in Houston: The Green Ridge Trail (1.7 miles), The Triangle (0.8 miles), The Yellow Trail (0.8 miles), The Orange Trail (0.8 miles), The Blue Trail (1 mile), and The Purple Trail (1.8 miles).
7. George Bush Park
Location: Houston, TX 77082
Hours: 7:00 am to 10:00 pm
Located on Houston’s far west side, close to the Energy Corridor, lies the enormous, sprawling park known as George Bush Park. This park spans thousands of acres and features an 11-mile route ideal for biking in Houston.
George Bush Park is one of Houston’s most underestimated bike routes, regardless of whether you live or work nearby or just find yourself in that neighborhood.
You’ll find yourself traveling by lakes, bridges, picnic places, recreational fields, and forested areas. There is a huge variety that will surprise you at every turn.
8. Spring Creek Greenway Trail
Location: Spring, TX 77373
Hours: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
The Spring Creek Greenway, the longest urban woodland corridor in the nation, is conveniently accessible from North Houston’s City Place for bikers and all outdoor enthusiasts.
The Spring Creek Nature Trail, a 14-mile natural surface trail that follows the calm and meandering creek, is accessible to cyclists through the 40-mile Spring Creek Greenway.
It is an excellent location to ride your road bike because of the paved paths (and less exciting for mountain bikers looking for varied terrain).
Local animals, including deer, birds, tree species, black willows, magnolias, and birches, are frequently seen along the walk. This is probably why we considered it in our list of the best bike trails in Houston.
9. Rice University & Hermann Park
Location: 6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030
Hours: 6:00 am to 11:00 pm
Although the trails near Rice University are a popular running route among the locals, biking is also a terrific activity in the region. It’s a gorgeous, attractive area for an early morning ride before the students travel to class.
It is consistently voted as one of the most beautiful college campuses in the United States. In addition, you can take a diversion at the nearby Hermann Park after a ride through Rice. Only 1.2 miles long, the trail around Hermann Park Conservatory connects to the golf course, which also has a trail around it.
A kiddie train, a science museum, and a Japanese garden are just a few of the intriguing amenities in Hermann Park. Additionally, the Houston Zoo is behind it. A Houston BCycle stop is close by and is ideal if you’re in the park and want to take a brief ride.
10. Jack Brooks Park Trail
Location: 5700 FM 2004 &, Hwy 6, Hitchcock, TX 77563, United States
Hours: Open 24 hours
Jack Brooks Park is an excellent place to bike in Houston for the day or as a side trip on the way to Galveston because it is only 36 miles from downtown Houston. Since it is near the city, many people come here to enjoy motorcycle riding in a more natural setting.
Jack Brooks Park has fewer trails, but those that are there are ideal for mountain biking because they are full of dips, ascents, and other enjoyable obstacles. In addition, you may explore the 5.6 miles of bike routes in the park, most of which are wooded and pleasantly shady.