Just because it's winter doesn't mean you have to stay indoors! We have the perk of not having to deal with those harsh winters our northern friends do, so why not take advantage of our mild winters and get outside and do some exploring? These seven trails are all within an hour of New Orleans and will take you through some of the most beautiful natural scenery in southeastern Louisiana.

1. Bayou Sauvage NWR Ridge Trail

This beautiful boardwalk trail is just a short drive outside the city, yet you’re still technically within city limits! The trail is just shy of seven miles, and you’ll pass through some spectacular scenery. It’s a great trail to take kids on, and there are multiple interpretive signs along the way so you can learn about the area as you go.

2. Tammany Trace

At roughly 30 miles, the Tammany Trace is certainly one of the longest trails in the state, but you don’t have to tackle the entire trail in one go. This beautiful rail trail weaves through five towns in St. Tammany Parish with trailheads at every city. Start or stop your journey in Covington, Mandeville, Slidell, Lacombe, or Abita Springs and take in the lovely sights and sounds of the different parts of the trail along the way.

3. Cane Bayou Track

You’ll find this little gem of a trail within Fontainebleau State Park. The out-and-back trail is just shy of four miles and will take you on quite the adventure through brackish marsh and beautiful views of Lake Pontchartrain.

4. Northlake Nature Center Trails

The Northlake Nature Center is just down the street from Fontainebleau State Park and it’s worth the pit stop. There are a few different trails that wind throughout the center, each one with magnificent bayou views and tons of wildlife.

5. Gum Cypress Trail

The Gym Cypress Trail is located within the Tickfaw State Park, which is just about an hour’s drive outside of the city, but with every mile.

6. Barataria Preserve

It’s hard to name a favorite trail at Barataria Preserve. Each one will take you on an epic adventure through the preserve’s 23,000 acres of marshes, swamps, and bayous. All of the trails are under two miles in length, so you can mix and match to fit your schedule.

7. Bonnet Carre Spillway Trail

For a short and sweet hike not too far from the city, the spillway trail is ideal. Beautiful water views, easy trails, and wildlife viewing make this a favorite for New Orleanians looking to get outside and do some exploring without having to travel too far away from the city.

How many of these trails have you hiked? Let us know in the comments below!