The Tammany Trace Trail is more than just 31 miles of Louisiana’s paved pedaling perfection. The Illinois Central Railroad, which was once the lifeblood of Tammany Parish along the North Shore Lake Pontchartrain, is a chance to travel back in time. Along the Trace, you’ll find whistle-stop towns steeped with tradition and vibrant communities.
The Tammany Trace Trail, Louisiana’s only rails to trails conversion, has been named as one of the 50 Millennium Legacy Trails by the White House Millennium Council. We will ride the Tammany Trace Trail from Covington all the way to Slidell. Along the way, we’ll discover unique places to stay and eat, and we’ll show you how to transform a day of riding the Trace into a bikecation.
Covington Bike Path
Central Casting would build Covington Trailhead if you asked them to create an old-fashioned railroad station. The covered platform waits impatiently for the steam locomotive to arrive. The bandstand is waiting for the heralds and the clock tower counts the minutes until an arrival which has long passed. The tracks have been replaced by the Covington Bike Trail. The Covington Trailhead opens the Tammany Trace Symphony.
Covington’s roads don’t do it justice. US-190 runs through the center of town, but I-12 does not. To truly experience Covington you must leave the highways behind and explore the streets surrounding the Covington Trailhead.
Covington has a variety of restaurants and hotels. The English tea room was a great choice. We regretted that we only had one meal in Covington. The English Tea Room served high tea, with over 225 different teas, as well as delicious breakfast and lunch options. Don’t worry about the crusts, they will remove them.
Abita Springs Bike Trail
The Tammany Trace, also known as the Abita Spring Bike Trail, is only four miles long from Covington. However the railroad constructed a health tourism stop at this location. From the town’s website-
The town’s reputation as an artsy and funky community is maintained today by the Abita Brewpub and local farmer markets. And, of course the mysterious Mystery House. Stop by the Abita Brewpub if you’re feeling hungry or thirsty after the ride. The burgers are delicious and have a backyard-grilled flavor. They also have excellent craft beer. This town is also very proud of its Abita Trace section, with many festivals and celebrations all year round.
The Abita Bike Trail is the most popular section of the Tammany Trace Trail because of its proximity to Covington, Abita Springs and the many community events. Others call it vibrant, while others describe it as congested. This is especially true for the Louisiana Bicycle Festival that takes place every June. Follow the trail rules, etiquette, and speed limit of 15 mph for cyclists in this section.
St Tammany Trace – Koop Drive / Mandeville
This area is no less important to the Tammany Trace Riders, even though it doesn’t offer as many attractions and stops. You can catch the Chafunkta Bike Crawl on alternate Saturdays to Old Rail Brewing Company, Mandeville OR Abita Brewing Company Tap Room. The green caboose at Koop Dr Trailhead is a great place to see all the latest trail news.
This open section of the trail will tell you all about St Tammany, and how St Tammany’s Trace came to be named. Tamanend, or Tammany, was a Delaware Indian chief who made peace and negotiated with William Penn. He became a symbol of peaceful negotiation, and was known as America’s Patron Saint. Kevin Davis helped broker the deal in December 1992, in which St Tammany Parish bought the land in question for $1.4million using federal funds. In September 1994, the first segment of the trail opened and after a contest to name it “Tammany Trace”, the name was chosen. As time went on, new segments were added, and today the Tammany Trail is still improving and growing.
The most important thing that Trace riders should know is that the I-12 trail will be closed (at least until the summer of 2021). You can either start your ride at Mandeville or flip the route at I-12 to avoid the traffic at the highway 59/I-12 intersection. To stay safe, a through rider should head north on Koops Drive or south on Dove Rd. They can use their car to shuttle back and forth between the two points.
Mandeville Bike Trail
Mandeville, a lakefront community, is known for its fine dining and hospitality. We enjoyed their hospitality at de la Bleau B&B. It had the convenience and modern charm of a boutique-hotel with the amazing hosts (Clyde & Cindy) of B&B.
Consider detouring from the Trace, whether you are coming or going, to see the Lake Pontchartrain waterfront. You’ll also see the 22-mile Causeway Bridge and the water stretching out to the horizon. There may even be a brown or two pelican. You can also stop along the way for a quick bite.
Check out Brook’s Bike Co-Op & Museum while you are exploring the Mandeville trails. The shop is a full service bike shop that offers tours, rentals, and frame welding (in most trail cities). Brooks’ Bike Co-Op is more than just a bike shop that recycles used bikes. They put them in the hands of children who need them.
The Bike for Kids program at Christmastime provides bicycles for youth in St Tammany Parish. Do you remember the excitement of getting your first bicycle? They partner with Covington police department to teach children how to ride safely. The bike that the kids worked on can be kept by the children at the end of camp if needed.
Biking Fontainebleau State Park/Pelican Park
Once you cross the Bayou Castine Bridge, you enter Fontainebleau State Park. The former sugar plantation has become Louisiana’s most popular state park. It features a beach, cabins over the water, and ruins from an 1829 mill.
The majority of riders do not pay for entry to the park in the registration center. The Trace continues and they enjoy 2.5 miles worth of natural beauty before reaching Bayou Cane. The newest way to access Tammany Trace is via a.6-mile spur trail that leads to Pelican park.
Lacombe Tammany Trace Trailhead
Lacombe, an old Creole swamp village, celebrates All Saints Day with a ceremony called Les Toussaints Les Lumieres du Morte. Sal and Judy’s claims to be the number one rated Italian Restaurant in the Greater New Orleans Area. There is a general shop with snacks and a kitchen that serves what we’ve heard are gourmet pizzas and wings, as well as an excellent breakfast every day.
Lacombe is a short detour off the Tammany Trail. You can take a quick detour to Main by exiting at Lake St. Bayou Adventures is a great place to grab a bite (or eat a lot) or you can continue down Main past ancient oaks and the Bayou Lacombe Boat Launch. You can ride back to 1st St, continue on the trail and reach the Lacombe Tammany Trace Trailhead.
Tammany Trace Eastern Terminus – Slidell
The Covington Trailhead was the first stanza of the Tammany Trace Symphony. If Slidell is the end, then it fades into black. Like if Lost were a bike path.
The trail ends at US-190, which is not a very prestigious place. One day, you’ll be able ride from Brooks’ Bikes Shop to Brooks’ Coffee. You can now enjoy the miles, and save room for the delicious North Shore foods.
Last Thoughts about the Tammany Trace Bike Trail
The Tammany Trace is a 31-mile bike trail that connects communities. It’s a great addition to your New Orleans vacation. You might end up staying a few extra nights in the North Shore, and taking an eco-tour.
You can also ride the beachfront in Ocean Springs or on the 45-mile Longleaf Trace Trail with just an hour of driving. With an hour’s drive, you could be on the beachfront of Ocean Springs, or on the Longleaf Trace Trail.
The Tammany Trace is a great ride for anyone, whether you are local and looking for an after-work ride or planning a trip to the south.