We Instantly Felt Stress-Free on These Walking Trails in Houston
- Buffalo Bayou Loop
- Green Ridge Trail
- Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
- Seymour Lieberman Exercise Trail
- Memorial Park Purple Loop
- The Quail Trail, Terry Hershey Park
- Blue Lagoon Trail, Buffalo Bayou
- Memorial Park Blue Trail
- Mercer Arboretum Loop, Mercer Botanical Gardens
- Pine Gulch Trail, Buescher State Park
Whoever said we needed to attend retreats to find peace clearly hasn’t stepped on and explored Houston’s walking trails. Instead of booking staycations, why not lace up those shoes, clock in some steps, and find serenity among these calm walking paths?
Yes, you heard that right! Houston has been blessed with several walking trails, each offering a good place for cardio with a touch of calm!
So join us as we complete our 10,000 steps, discover local wildlife, and be amazed by the natural beauty of the city’s calm walkways. It’s time to let every stride melt that stress away.
1. Buffalo Bayou Loop
Media credit: @buffalobayou
Website: https://buffalobayou.org/
Address: Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street between Allen Parkway and, Memorial Dr, Houston, TX, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-752-0314 ext. 301
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
The Buffalo Bayou Loop, also known as the Sandy Reed Memorial Trail, is a 5-mile (8.2-kilometer) loop trail in Houston, a considerably easy route perfect for those who prefer a quick walk on a weekend.
You can finish walking the trail in a little over an hour and a half at a normal pace. But if you ever want to extend your route, there are additional paths that are directly connected in the Buffalo Bayou loop.
For those of you who prefer bringing their mountain bikes, bike trails are also great here. Even better, bike repair stations are just around the place, allowing you more peace of mind in case your bike needs a little tune-up.
Also, if you prefer to bring your furry friends to accompany your walk, Buffalo Bayou allows pets on site. Just remember to keep them on a leash as security people are around the area to check.
For a more leisurely walk, you can check out signages that will lead you to the Wortham Fountain. Around the area, you can even catch some public art installations, completing your whole experience.
Pro tip:
Consider having an adventure side trip during your afternoon walk. Before you continue traversing the route, you can make the most of Buffalo Bayo’s water activities such as kayaking and canoeing.
2. Green Ridge Trail
Media credit: @cbarbieri87
Website: https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/texas/green-ridge-trail
Address: Houston, TX 77007, United States
The Green Ridge Trail is a 2.49-mile (4-kilometer) loop train in Houston’s Memorial Park, near Buffalo Bayou. This walking trail is best for the more advanced hikers as it’s considered a moderately challenging route to finish.
Here, you’ll enjoy walking along well-maintained paths. You can also expect that the walkways are mostly flat.
Still, wear hiking shoes with a good grip since the trail can be a bit muddy after rain.
Aside from walking, you can also invite your friends to take this route on your next mountain bike ride.
If you’re a fan of bird-watching, you can spend some time to spot local bird species. Just remember to bring your binoculars to enjoy the moment fully.
Meanwhile, you can also catch some wildlife here. And if you’re lucky, you can even spot some deer roaming around!
Pro tip:
Since Green Ridge Trail has wide green areas and picnic spots, you can consider bringing a yoga mat so you can have a quick gentle flow session between your walks.
3. Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
Media credit: @houstonarboretum
Website: http://www.houstonarboretum.org/
Address: 4501 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77024, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-681-8433
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:00 AM – 8:00 PM
For those of you who like to take the whole family for a quick walk, then Houston Arboretum and Nature Center could be the one for you.
This walking trail is just 2.3 miles (3.7 kilometers) long. In fact, the trail in Houston Arboretum and Nature Center will only take you 41 minutes to complete, making it a great walking trail path to traverse if you have kids with you!
Here, you can also educate your kids about the various native trees and wildflowers. Aside from the local flora, you can also spot birds and turtles.
What’s even great about Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is that their entire space is wheelchair-accessible, complete with paved paths and boardwalks, which gives you less worry if you have handicapped members with you.
Meanwhile, if you need a place to rest while walking, several seating areas are placed around Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, ensuring a more relaxed leisurely walk around the place.
Pro tip:
Consider enrolling your kids to Houston Arboretum and Nature Center’s Summer Nature Camps.
Ideal for kids between 4 to 12, this pre-school program can enjoy performing hands-on activities where they can learn more about plants, animals, and their local habitats.
4. Seymour Lieberman Exercise Trail
Media credit: @citygirlswhowalkhou
Website: http://www.houstonarboretum.org/
Address: Houston, TX 77007, USA
The Seymour Lieberman Exercise Trail in Houston has a 2.98-mile (4.8-kilometer) loop, making it a great trail for walking and jogging.
In fact, this loop has been a favorite running trail for running enthusiasts. So if you want to train for your first 5K run then you can head over to Seymour Lieberman Exercise Trail!
Here, you’ll appreciate the well-maintained crushed-granite surface, perfect for all fitness levels.
Even better, the entire trail is properly marked with mileage indicators, so no need to constantly check your mobile phone or fitness watch to track your distance!
Seymour Lieberman Exercise Trail also has designated areas for stretching and other strength training. Because of this, you can expect their fitness stations to be filled with fellow gym enthusiasts.
Meanwhile, those of you who are into golf can swing some clubs before or after some walking session, as Seymour Lieberman has a nearby golf course too!
Pro tip:
Don’t forget to stay hydrated during your walk. Seymour Lieberman Exercise Trail has water stations all over the place, allowing you to conveniently refill your water bottles throughout your stay.
5. Memorial Park Purple Loop
Media credit: @memorialparkconservancy
Website: http://memorialparkconservancy.org/
Address: 6501 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77007, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-863-8403
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 9:00 AM – 3:00 PM
If you want an easy and quick walk, the Memorial Park Purple Loop’s 2.6-mile (4.1-kilometer) loop is for you! Since this is a relatively easy route, you can expect families to explore the place with you.
You’ll also share the Memorial Park Purple Loop with cycling groups who love riding their mountain bikes!
Because of various trails connected to this walking trail, you can spot some hiking groups here. So, if you want to take your walking trip to another notch higher, then you can explore trying this out.
And to make sure you always stay on your path, Memorial Park Purple Loop has clear signages around, complete with color-coded markers, helping you navigate the trail easily.
However, it’s worth noting that some areas aren’t flat and accessible, making it a bit challenging for those in wheelchairs.
Pro tip:
The best time to visit the Memorial Park Purple Loop is during the months of Spring (February – May) and Fall (September – November). From June to August, the trail can become narrow and overgrown, which can become potentially unsafe.
Overgrown vegetation can have unclear paths, increasing your chances of encountering wildlife and insects.
6. The Quail Trail, Terry Hershey Park
Media credit: @paulompserra
Website: http://cp4.harriscountytx.gov/Parks
Address: 15200 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-863-8403
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7:00 AM – 10:00 PM
For those of you who like a bit of a challenging walk, Terry Hershey Park’s The Quail Trail’s 9.9-mile (15.9-kilometer) trail got you covered! Just be ready to allot more time during the day, as it’ll possibly take you 3 hours to traverse this trail.
Aside from walking, The Quail Trail is also a popular spot for road biking and mountain biking.
But don’t let the rugged adventures stop you from practicing yoga in this place. Here, you can find a quiet spot just a few walks from the main trail.
And if you want to take your furry pals with you, don’t forget to keep them on a leash, and clean up after them at all times.
Pro tip:
If you want to traverse a different route for biking, look for the single-track mountain biking route. This is located at the south bank of the river called the Anthills Trail.
7. Blue Lagoon Trail, Buffalo Bayou
Media credit: @buffalobayou
Website: https://buffalobayou.org/
Address: Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street between Allen Parkway and, Memorial Dr, Houston, TX, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-752-0314 ext. 301
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Another easy walking trail to traverse is Buffalo Bayou Park’s Blue Lagoon Trail. This walking trail is just 2.1 miles (3.4 kilometers) long, which will take you 40 minutes to complete.
Because of Blue Lagoon Trail’s flat paved surface, this trail can provide you a comfortable walking experience.
Here, you can enjoy the view of the Downtown Houston skyline while clocking in your daily steps.
If you ever get tired from walking, there are benches along the trail. You can also refill your water bottles when you spot water fountains in the area.
For those of you who want to take advantage of the peaceful place near Lost Lake, you can set up your blankets and take out your picnic baskets too!
Pro tip:
Consider staying after sunset for Buffalo Bayou’s Waugh Drive Bat Colony. Here, you can watch thousands of bats as they emerge from under the bridge.
8. Memorial Park Blue Trail
Media credit: @memorialparkconservancy
Website: https://buffalobayou.org/
Address: Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street between Allen Parkway and, Memorial Dr, Houston, TX, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-752-0314 ext. 301
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6:00 AM – 11:00 PM
Memorial Park’s Blue Trail is another easy walking trail you can find in Houston. Just 1.1 miles (1.8 kilometers) long, this trail will only take you approximately 19 minutes to finish.
Since the walking trail route is relatively easy and quick to traverse, you can bring your kids for a little adventure.
You can even watch your kids watch out for wildlife such as birds, squirrels, and rabbits, which are all common to see along the Blue Trail!
Here, you can also take your time appreciating the creek and bayou views.
And if you want to add more exercises to your day, The Blue Trail has a nearby fitness station that you can use for more cardio and strength training.
Pro tip:
Try not to be the first person to traverse the trail in the morning, or you’ll end up being covered in spiderwebs!
9. Mercer Arboretum Loop, Mercer Botanical Gardens
Media credit: @mercer_botanic_gardens
Website: https://www.hcp1.net/MercerArboretum
Address: 22251 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, TX 77073, United States
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Mercer Botanical Gardens has one of the easy walking trails inside. Here, you can find the Mercer Arboretum Loop, a 2.40-mile (3.9-kilometer) trail, great for beginners in hiking, or those who just want a leisurely walk.
What’s great about this walking trail is that it’s shaded. Whether it’s raining or the sun’s too hot, you can still comfortably clock in your steps along the walkway.
You can also appreciate the different trees along the way, which also adds to the cooler breeze along the Mercer Arboretum Loop.
Pro tip:
Consider spending your whole day exploring the place. Since Mercer Arboretum Loop is located Inside Mercer Botanical Gardens, you can check out the various flowers and plants too.
10. Pine Gulch Trail, Buescher State Park
Media credit: @hikingdogsofinsta
Website: https://www.trailforks.com/trails/pine-gulch-trail-164261/
Address: Smithville, TX, United States
Pine Gulch Trail is an easy walking trail in Houston with its 4.1-mile (6.6-kilometer) distance. It’ll only take you less than an hour and a half to complete this route.
Though considered easy, you should still watch out for the multiple hills that could make this trail a bit challenging. Speaking of hills, you can spot some under the loblolly pines to see the remnants of the 2015 Hidden Pines Wildfire.
And for those of you who want to spend more than a day at Buescher State Park, you can check their cabins or even camp out.
If you’re heading over on a summer, pack your swimsuit so you can enjoy an afternoon swim in their 30-acre lake.
Pro tip:
Avoid traversing the Pine Gulch Trail after some heavy rain, as insects remain rampant during this time. Additionally, make sure to apply a strong mosquito or insect repellant during your visit for additional peace of mind.
