NEWS
Take a hike on the Wild Azalea Trail in Central Louisiana
Melinda MartinezJune 2, 2026, 6:10 p.m. ET
The Wild Azalea Trail can be accessed from different trailheads along the 28-mile continuous trail such as this one on Messina Road off of Highway 488.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
The wild azaleas are in bloom on the Wild Azalea Trail. The Wild Azalea Trail (WAT), located in the Kisatchie National Forest, begins in Woodworth and ends at Valentine Lake near Gardner. At about 30 miles long, the WAT is the longest continuous trail in Louisiana.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
The wild azaleas are in bloom on the Wild Azalea Trail. The Wild Azalea Trail (WAT), located in the Kisatchie National Forest, begins in Woodworth and ends at Valentine Lake near Gardner. At about 30 miles long, the WAT is the longest continuous trail in Louisiana.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
Wild azaleas bloom in March and April in Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. The Wild Azalea Trail is named after them.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
In this 2019 Town Talk file photo, a group hikes on the Wild Azalea Trail as part of the Wild Azalea Trail Blitz which showcased Central Louisiana's outdoor resources. The trail is a popular hiking and cycling trail in Louisiana.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
In this 2017 Town Talk file photo, cyclists are seen riding as part of a Black Friday Ride hosted by Red River Cyclery on the Wild Azalea Trail. The Louisiana trail is a popular hiking and cycling trail in Louisiana.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
In this 2019 Town Talk file photo, a group hikes on the Wild Azalea Trail as part of the Wild Azalea Trail Blitz which showcased Central Louisiana's outdoor resources. The trail is a popular hiking and cycling trail in Louisiana.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
In this 2019 Town Talk file photo, a group hikes on the Wild Azalea Trail as part of the Wild Azalea Trail Blitz which showcased Central Louisiana's outdoor resources. The trail is a popular hiking and cycling trail in Louisiana.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
Yellow blazes mark the 28-mile Wild Azalea Trail in the Kisatchie National Forest in Central Louisiana.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
The Wild Azalea Trail ls located between Gardner and Woodworth, LA.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
Different kinds of wild flowers are along the Wild Azalea Trail.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
A pipevine swallowtail butterfliy lands on the Wild Azalea Trail Path.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
Wooden bridges are part of the charm of the Wild Azalea Trail.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
The Wild Azalea Trail is located within the 600,000 acre Kisatchie National Forest in Central Louisiana.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
The Wild Azalea Trail ls located between Gardner and Woodworth, LA.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
Pipevine swallowtail butterflies land on the Wild Azalea Trail Path.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
The 28-mile Wild Azalea Trail passes by several creeks.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
Wooden bridges are part of the charm of the Wild Azalea Trail.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
Wild azaleas bloom in March and April in Kisatchie National Forest in Louisiana. The Wild Azalea Trail is named after them.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
Pine forests, upland hardwoods, bogs, seeps and open natural areas are distinct features of the Wild Azalea Trail.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
Dogwood trees are in bloom in the spring along the Wild Azalea Trail in Central Louisiana.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
Yellow blazes mark the 28-mile Wild Azalea Trail in the Kisatchie National Forest in Central Louisiana.
Melinda Martinez/The Town Talk
Different kinds of wild flowers are along the Wild Azalea Trail.
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