You can rent bikes from the Kickstand Cafe in Mandeville. Cheryl Gerber

Hiking, cycling, canoeing, kayaking, birdwatching . . . there are myriad ways to explore the Northshore and its many green spaces, parks and nature preserves.

Spoke up
Ready for a bike ride? After a tasty breakfast at the Kickstand Café in old Mandeville, head for the Kickstand’s bike rental desk and pick out your wheels.

Trace elements
The Kickstand is only a couple hundred yards away from the Tammany Trace, the 31-mile rails-to-trails conversion hike and bike path that ribbons through the parish from Covington to Slidell. You can go the distance or choose destinations along the way.

Heading north?
You’ll ride through Abita where you can explore the town’s new Trailhead Museum and tourist park, and on into Covington, all the way through its new Trailhead, before heading back toward Mandeville. Or . . .

Heading south?
The Trace takes you through old Mandeville and Fontainebleau State Park, a lovely green space on Lake Pontchartrain. Continue on to Lacombe and Big Branch Wildlife Preserve, going all the way to Slidell if you’re up for the ride, before returning to the Kickstand.

Want lunch?
If you’ve worked up an appetite, hit the fun and casual Louie and the Redhead Lady in Mandeville, for lunch specials, salads and poboys. Eat lighter at the Good Earth Market and Café.

Local bayous were practically made for kayaking. Renee Kientz

Afternoon delights
Explore the Northlake Nature Center and its boardwalk over Castine Bayou; or visit Fontainebleau and Big Branch if you missed them during your morning ride.

Feel like kayaking? There are numerous accessible put-in spots for kayaks and canoes, including at the lake, Bayou Cane and Bayou Lacombe.

Sunset on the seawall
Catch a glorious sunset from the Mandeville lakefront before dinner at Rip’s on the Lake, a local favorite offering Louisiana flavor, al fresco dining and a great lake view.


If you go…

Kickstand Café, 985-626-9300, www.kickstand.bz
Tammany Trace, 985-867-9490, www.tammanytrace.org
Fontainebleau State Park, 985-624-4443
Louie and the Redhead Lady, 985-626-8101
Good Earth Market and Café, 985-674-4329
Rip’s on the Lake, 985-727-2829



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