Export to Trail Guide
Create Guidebook 
Download GPX 
Print Friendly MapOverview
The West White Oak Bayou Trail extends between north of Antoine Drive and the Buffalo Bayou Greenway Trail, running parallel with the bayou and T. C. Jester Boulevard. It's a long, satisfying, nearly seamless ride, broken by a few road crossings.
From the trail, trail users can connect to the Central Business District (CBD) Access On-street Bikeway at 11th Street and at Ella Boulevard on the south and to the West Houston On-street Bikeway at 34th Street, Dubarry (to Wakefield), 43rd Street, Carleen (to Bethlehem), and Pinemont on the north.
About the Route
The West White Oak Bayou Trail runs through many diverse neighborhoods of Houston as it traverses the channelized stream.
Connections
At the southern end of the trail, the West White Oak Bayou Trail continues as the Buffalo Bayou Greenway Trail.
The West White Oak Bayou Trail runs between Jersey Village Hike and Bike Trail (Jersey Village) and Johnny Goyen Park, 1 N Milam St. (Houston).
Parking is available at:
Please see TrailLink Map for all parking options and detailed directions.
9/6/24 Tried trail starting at Clark Henry Park and got about 4 miles in down and the bayou trial is washed out and construction blocks any possible way through. Rode back to the Clark Henry park and drove to park across the street from 6999 Alabonson Rd. Got 1.5 miles into ride and after several sections of trail was missing, the entire trail was missing for a longer stretch than I could see. It rained last night and the trail was muddy and impossible to ride. Had to walk some of the way back because of the mud.
The trail now extends to Jersey Village. There are still a few short sections that have not been completed.
The trouble with bike trails in Houston is that Houston doesn’t care about bike trails. That’s why the flood control district and the city will take, literally, years to complete a project. The White Oak trail is one of the latest victims of local government’s abject failure to accomplish anything on a timely basis. Good luck finding out when work will be completed.
Don’t bother parking in the north lot and trying to ride the trail depicted on the map. Trail completely closed and blocked 1 1/2 mile south of the parking lot. Rrrrrrrrr….
We started Downtown and traveled NW to north of 610 a good ways.
Had to jump on another trail briefly where there is trail construction taking place. Stopped at Patterson Park to cool off and have a cold beverage.
All in all we really enjoyed the trail. Good signs are in place to let you know intersecting streets in some areas. Will be on this trail again.
Lots of construction right now on the western half of the trail—basically impassable. No signs to say where you can pick the trail back up, no indication of how long the trail will be close. Stick to the Brays Bayou until this is over
Great ride. Wide concrete area to cycle. Pretty busy but just be courteous to others on the trail. Once you hit the dirt mounds on the west side of e trail I’d recommend you turn back. I fell off my bike at least 4tomes getting stuck in mud or using my balance. Next ti
Parked at 1648 Studemont St, nice lot. I’m a 63 year old heavy weight trying to get back into shape. I quickly discovered there are lots of up hills and down hills. I found myself picking up a lot speed going down hills. You need good brakes. I needed to shift into the low gears huffing and puffing up hills. Good work out. Most folks were what I call serious cyclists. Towards the end the pavement runs out along the bayou. Later there are piles or mounts of dirt with grass on the trail as if to discourage cyclists. I have no idea what it’s about. The city should remove them. Small paths around them. From what I could see pretty much the end when you get to the Nina and Michael Zilkha park let.
I was amazed with this route. Very scenic and smooth pathway without the pedestrians.
This is a great ride. I parked at TC Jester Park and headed toward downtown. Somewhere I connected with the Buffalo Bayou Trail and road until the trial ended (approx 17 miles). I ended up getting lost on the way back and ended my ride with about 50 total miles. After reading reviews, I was concerned about safety, but I found the trial safe. Some homeless under overpasses, some glass on trail. Just be aware. The only reason I gave the trail four stars is because signs are not marked well and it’s easy to get lost if you’re not paying attention
There was no connector at the Studemont/Stude Park location coming from Buffalo Bayou Greenway Trail downtown. I was disappointed as I had ome from Spring TX to make a 17 mile ride. I had planned on beginning my ride on the Buffalo Bayou Trail and move to the White Oaks Bayou route. Also at Stude Park there was a split with one of the paths appearing to continue on the long route but it was a hard dead end at the bottom of a hill. Otherwise the trail from Stude Park into downtown was a very pleasant experience. That path is in good condition but can become crowded with pedestrians at times
What a great cycle path, beautiful and clean, great views of Houston and a good distance instead of 5 milers. People friendly and the track is we’ll sign posted. Well worth the drive from Beaumont can’t wait to ride it again
I ride this trail as much as possible, very nice, scenic, and clean. Going through the heights is always fun and the views leaving and entering the city area are really great!
Great trail. Takes a little time to find the beginning. Only 3 road crossings.
Not too hilly but still a challenge for a recreational rider and it’s just beautiful! It’s amazing being able able to start in The Houston Heights and end in downtown! BTW: thank u Donald at TrailLink for helping w/ app issues. Great organization! TrailLink is a FANTASTIC source for trails all over Houston. Highly recommend.
J Moore
I did about 10miles from the eastern end and back. Smooth concrete and asphalt with a few cracks. Very few traffic lights. Nice workout plus two water fountains en route.
Though there were a few discarded grocery carts in the bayou and some sketchy surroundings at times, this is a fun trail to ride! I was amazed at the volume of water flowing into and down the bayou! It even had rapids like a river in a few places! All in all, a great biking getaway in the heart of the big city!
This is second only to Terry Hershey Park/George Bush in terms of continuous riding which isn't intersected by any streets. I love dedicated asphalt bike paths. Makes for a great and safe workout. I combine this with the Heights Hike & Bike Trail to stop at UH-D for a longer workout. At night, use a good power headlight (~350 lumens) because there aren't lights any lights for long sections.
That being said, I'm deducting a star given the handful of homeless people wandering near the 610 area (creeps you out at night when you see a figure standing still to the side watching you), the faded pavement markers (easy job to maintain, the city just needs to be proactive), and the debris such as broken glass and nails. I rode this on a cyclocross bike with 35mm tires and it was fine. A 25mm road bike tire should be okay, just watch out for the debris.
This is a fantastic continuous trail...it is now fully open under the loop where it was previously closed due to construction.
Daily we are watching with anticipation as more trail is poured & connected going south down the bayou toward downtown. Not sure exactly where this will finish out, but I bet it will get you to downtown & to the Buffalo Bayou trails...fantastic!
Great protected 'hiking' for boy scout hiking merit badges...right in our back yard!
Loved the view and it was perfect.
We rode a total of 23 miles use both bike trails. It is a nice relaxing bike ride. Our only complaints were easier display markers to access from West White Oak Bayou Trail to Heights Bike Trail and there is limited public parking.
The best thing about this trail is that there are few interruptions for crossing roadways. There is construction still at 610 Loop which requires navigating a busy intersection, but after that, it's smooth sailing. There are sections that almost make you forget you are in a big city. I saw a hawk today swoop down and catch a fish in the bayou; he soared away with it in his tallons. There isn't much overhead cover so the brutal summer heat would make this trail pretty tough in August, but right now (March), you can't beat it for nice morning rides. From my house and back, it's right at 20 miles.
Rode the trail for the first time yesterday on my way riding from Spring, Texas to Downtown.
I started at Champions Forest and Spring Cypress. Went south on Champions forest to Bourgeois. Went west on Bourgeois and cut through the Cutten Green subdivision and then took Cutten road south to the Gas Station at the intersection of the Beltway 8 feeder road and 249. Then took 249 south to Antoine south.
Sketchiest part of the ride was the 3 miles on Antoine (there are sidewalks for most of it) until I connected with the White Oak Bayou Trail.
Other than the brief part of the trail that is still dirt it is a beautiful 10 foot wide concrete trail all the way from Antoine just north of West Little York south to 11th street.
From there I went east on 11th for about a mile and picked up the Heights bike trail which runs south from there, under I-10 to the Target Shopping Center just east of I-10, it then runs east all the way to down town. The trail ends at a bridge that is under construction. I had to circumvent a chain link barrier to cross the bridge which then allowed me to hike down a short dirt hill (cyclocross style) to connect to the trail system along buffalo bayou.
I took this trail system along Memorial all the way to Memorial Park.
Has anyone else out there tried to ride from the North side of town to Downtown? I might do it regularly to work but it would be best to have others with me for safety. Anyone found a better/safer route?
Does this trail easily link into any other trails that will take you all the way to downtown or is 5 miles the extent of it? Thanks.
The West White Oak Bayou Trail is outstanding. It's 5 miles of pure cycling pleasure. I highly recommended this trail and will definitely hit this one again.
"The West White Oak Bayou Trail is an excellent, well maintained, inner-city route. If you are in Houston, this is as good as it gets."
_178589_nb.jpg)
TrailLink is a free service provided by Rails-to-Trails conservancy
(a non-profit) and we need your support!
