Why choose this ride
This is the easiest of our longer routes to navigate. Once you leave the ferry and reach the crown of the levee, turn right and ride upstream. The paved trail continues as one unobstructed segment for about three miles and ends at the decommissioned Gretna ferry terminal.
The riding is relaxing, but the levee is roughly 18 to 20 feet above the river and nearby neighborhoods. There is no respite from the sun. An e-bike helps riders maintain a comfortable breeze with less pedal effort during hot and humid weather.
Route sequence
How to ride it
1. Ride from our shop to the ferry
From 223 Dauphine Street, ride to Iberville Street and turn toward the river at Deanie's Seafood. Continue past Bourbon and Decatur. Behind Canal Place, follow the one-way turn to Canal Street. Caesars New Orleans will be ahead. Turn left, cross the tracks carefully, ride up the slight incline, and continue to the ferry terminal.
2. Cross to Algiers Point
The passenger ferry is a fast catamaran with an open upper deck and an air-conditioned lower cabin. Bicycles are placed in racks at the rear, and passengers must remain seated during the crossing.
Service normally runs every 30 minutes but not around the clock. Fog, maintenance, and other conditions can interrupt service. BuZz NOLA currently advises guests to budget $3 for a round trip, with no additional bicycle charge, and to bring exact change if paying cash. Check the official RTA schedule and alerts on the day of the ride.
3. Explore Algiers Point before the levee
Algiers Point rewards a slow meander through quiet blocks of cottages, neighborhood businesses, and riverfront benches. Food choices include a restaurant below the ferry landing and a well-liked taco stand in a converted antique gas station. Use the supplied lock whenever you stop.
4. Turn upstream toward Gretna
Walk the bicycle up the levee and turn right. Plaques along the levee honor jazz musicians. The trail passes beneath the twin spans of the Crescent City Connection, high enough for oceangoing vessels to pass below, then continues along the edges of Algiers Point and McDonoghville toward Old Gretna.
5. Cross the old rails carefully
Shortly after the bridges, a rail yard appears below the levee. Deactivated tracks once climbed over the levee to the only river warehouse between Algiers and Gretna. Portions have been removed, but steel rails still cross the trail at an angle. Slow down and cross as close to perpendicular as possible because wet or dusty steel can be slick.
6. Finish in Old Gretna
The trail ends at the former Gretna ferry terminal. Follow its driveway down the levee and the Jefferson Memorial Arch will be directly ahead. Nearby are Old Gretna City Hall, restaurants, the weekend market sheds near the former train depot, and the historic David Crockett Volunteer Fire Company complex. Museum hours can be limited, so treat an open door as a bonus rather than a guarantee.
Before setting out
- Allow 3 to 4 hours, including time to explore and eat.
- Bring chilled water, sunglasses, and sunscreen you already trust.
- A hat beneath the helmet can help protect a sun-sensitive scalp.
- Choose an e-bike in summer or whenever heat is a concern.
- Check ferry status and the final crossing time before departing.
Questions about this ride
Can riders get lost on the levee trail?
The upstream path is one continuous segment and ends at the former Gretna ferry terminal.
Is the trail shaded?
No. The levee crown is exposed to direct sun for essentially the entire ride.
Can bicycles go on the ferry?
Yes. The passenger ferry carries bicycles in racks at the rear.
Useful official and related resources
Local route guidance reviewed July 2026. Conditions, hours, ferry operations, and businesses can change. Confirm time-sensitive details before departure.