Texas · Hiking

North Loop

5.0 mi
round trip
560 ft
climb
462 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Oct–May
best months

Is North Loop open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in National Forests in Texas. It doesn't name North Loop, so check the source for the area it covers.

As of · Source: USFS · National Forests in Texas. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

North Loop is a 5-mile hike in the Sam Houston Ranger District of the National Forests in Texas, managed by the Forest Service. The route is an out-and-back that climbs from about 450 feet to about 460 feet, with a total elevation gain of 166 feet. The steepest stretch comes at about 0.7 miles in, where the grade reaches 14 percent. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Huntsville run from highs around 77°F in April to about 79°F in October, while July and August average in the low 90s. Bikes are allowed on this trail, and the North Loop Trail and Start Hill Trail for mountain biking sit about 0.1 mile away. Start Hill, a hike, is about half a mile off. For an overnight stay, Cagle Recreation Area is about 7 miles away.