It’s no secret that we’re big fans of Houston.
After all, we’re based here! But we also love our city because it’s got a ton of things going for it—one of which is Samir Becic. It’s been almost 4 years since HFR founder Samir Becic was named “Fitness Czar” for the City of Houston! What better way to celebrate the anniversary than with a series of healthy living recommendations for Houstonians?
Mayor Sylvester Turner proclaimed Samir with the official title on November 1st, 2018 following 16 years of Samir’s dedicated service (starting with Mayor Lee Brown in 2002) to make the city a healthier and fitter place to live. In honor of our founder and his tireless work to make the city a healthier place to live for the past 20 years (as a volunteer and 4 years as “Fitness Czar”), we’ve decided to share some of our favorite healthy Houston recommendations- to see all of our top picks, click here.
Houston’s Most Scenic Trails
Staying active is one of the key ingredients to living a long healthy life. In general, a person should aim to exercise for at least thirty minutes a day, whether going to the gym, to a workout class or simply doing a workout from the comfort of their home. The most popular form of exercise is walking and running, which can be done at any time and anywhere throughout the day. To be considered an active individual, a person must take more than 10,000 steps per day, and what better way to do that than to go to one of the many scenic running trails in Houston, Texas?
Memorial Park
- Memorial Park: Many may not know that this popular running trail is actually named The Seymour Lieberman Exer-Trail, and features tennis courts, a swimming pool, a fitness center, playing fields, and more! One single lap around this trail is equivalent to 2.88 miles! A fantastic option for joggers and walkers alike!
Buffalo Bayou Park
- Buffalo Bayou Park: This 160-acre, 10-foot wide trail allows walkers, runners, and cyclists to share a path at all hours of the day! The trail is even popular amongst skateboarders as well! The Buffalo Bayou Park is also animal friendly, so you are more than welcome to bring your furry friend with you to get your daily steps in. Some even say Buffalo Bayou Park is “the crown jewel of Houston.”
Rice University Loop
- Rice University Loop: This 3-mile trail is great for individuals who like solitude while getting their work out. This beautiful trail takes, on average, fifty-two minutes to complete and, because of the beautiful Oak trees, is also one of the shadiest trails in town! That way, you can stay cool and relaxed as you get in your daily dose of exercise.
Hermann Park
- Hermann Park: This Park is in the middle of Houston! Central to many attractions Houston has to offer, like the Houston Zoo, Japanese and McGovern Centennial Gardens, and more. This 445-acre Park features the two-mile Marvin Taylor Jogging Trail. Amongst the trail, you will get beautiful views of the golf course, lakes, and bridges, with trees that date back over a century!
Buffalo Bend Nature Park
- Buffalo Bend Nature Park: The Yolanda Black Navarro Buffalo Bend Nature Park is ten acres of recreation and wildlife conservation. What used to be a construction fill is now a gorgeous park that homes three wetland ponds, hike and biking trails, and beautiful plants and nature!
Terry Hershey Park
- Terry Hershey Park: Terry Hershey Park is over ten miles of walking, hiking, and biking trails. This trial provides routes from Barker Dam to Texas Beltway 8 and even the Sam Houston Tollway! If you want to do more than just walking, running, or hiking, the Park also has a playground, areas to picnic, exercise stations, and a butterfly garden!
Gavelston Island
- Galveston Island: Who doesn’t love a good beach view? Galveston Island has ten miles of beaches, ocean views, and “the nation’s largest continuous sidewalk.” Galveston Island has a temperature climate that allows visitors all year round with outdoor activities like fishing, golfing, biking, jogging, and more! There is a limitless amount of activities to do that will keep you active and entertained for hours, and a great place to spend time with family or simply enjoy your own company.
George Bush Park
- George Bush Park: Named after the 41st president of the United States, George Bush Park is a major attraction to many Houston residents. With almost 7,800 acres worth of activities, this nature reserve has everything from jogging trails, biking trails, playgrounds, two soccer fields, a shooting range, and more, with beautiful views of the forest, ponds, and bayous!
George Mitchell Nature Preserve
- George Mitchell Nature Preserve: Located in The Woodlands, this nature reserve is almost 1,700 acres and 220 miles of biking, hiking, and running trails. The George Mitchell Nature Preserve has 150 parks throughout the ”Township”. With wildlife everywhere and beautiful plants lining the trails, this preserve is as picturesque as it gets.
Paul Carr Jogging Trail
- Paul Carr Jogging Trail: In the middle of Heights Boulevard homes, the Paul Carr Jogging Trail. This trail is known for its awe-worthy monuments and sculptures and the beautiful architecture of the houses that are among the trails that make you want to go on Zillow the second you get home. The two-mile trail is fantastic for keeping your children entertained and getting in your steps.
Brays Bayou Greenway
- Brays Bayou Greenway: This thirty-one-mile Bayou is great for biking and jogging trails! Easily accessible through Hermann Park and the University of Houston campus. Brays Bayou Greenway is great for getting your steps in and is also connected to other trails that you may also like as well!
