Northlake Nature Center South Loop - Mountain Bike Trail

The Northlake Center is located right in the middle of St. Tammany Parish. It is a stone’s throw from the ever-popular 32-mile Tammany Trace Rails-to-Trails path. The South Loop is one of the more popular options of the three trails that run through the Nature Center. It is one of the best mountain bike trails in the Louisiana area, there’s plenty of riding to be done.

Before you go:

Drinking water

Restrooms

Fee required

Lift service

Fat bike grooming

Family Friendly

Night riding

E-bikes allowed

Dogs Allowed

Obstacles

Shuttles

Detailed Description

The South Loop is considered by many to be the easier of the three trails in the Northlake Center. With a 3.4 km loop and 8m elevation gain, it takes an average of 37 minutes to complete. In addition to riding, this trail is also excellent for hiking, walking and birdwatching. A big positive is that the trail is accessible all year and boasts beautiful scenery no matter when you’re visiting.

Here's a breakdown of how the South Loop compares to the other two trails in the Northlake Nature Center.

Additional Trail Features

A fun aspect of this trail is the many offshoot trails that aren’t always highlighted on the maps. The trails aren’t boring, and you’re guaranteed to experience something new with every visit. The South Loop trail is partially paved and for people walking the trail, the good news is that it’s wheelchair and stroller friendly.

The pathways for bicycling and hiking go through three different ecosystems—wetlands, pine and hardwood forests. Here’s a short description of what the other two trails have to offer.

• North Loop: As a double-track trail, there are no elevation changes on this track, making it an excellent option for beginners. It borders the Pelican Park and also boasts a little offshoot trail.
• Eagle Trail: The Eagle Trail is an easy woodland trail situated near the front of the Center. Despite being short, the trail turns into the woods and then out onto a paved surface which eventually ends on a stretch of the clearing. Excellent for testing your skills on different terrains.

Signs of Interest, Landscapes, Views

There’s something for everyone at the South Loop trail of the Northlake Nature Center. Some of the more prominent activities you can look into before or after your adventures on the trails:

• Birdwatching: With the very diverse ecosystem, you can expect to see a large variety of birds in their natural habitats. The annual Bird Fest takes place each April and features birding trips on foot and by boat. Be sure to take your camera!
• Reading & walking program: This program is held with the assistance of the St. Tammany Parish Public Library and is amazing fun for adults and children alike.
• Picnic spots: The pavilion picnic area is available for a variety of group activities and picnics.

Recommendations/Precautions

While the South loop trail is well marked, the map isn’t very accurate. We recommend taking a compass as there are plenty of off-shoot trails that aren’t shown on the provided map. The paths do occasionally become muddy after a rainstorm, but even then you can give them a try.

If you want to test your abilities in muddy terrain, you can do so quite comfortably, especially if you’re skilled enough to handle your bike in low-lying muddy areas.

Many tourists highlight that bug spray is a must, especially in areas where the trail gets a bit dense. Finally, the Park generally has a dog-friendly rule, provided your pets are on a leash.