Lace Up Your Hiking Boots: Here Are The 15 Best Hiking Trails in Austin
Austin is a very outdoorsy city with lots of great hiking trails. Ask anyone who lives here and they'll tell you that the terrain of Austin, with the limestone cliffs and numerous creek beds, lends itself to lots of great, easy hiking. So if you're looking for a fun weekend adventure, here are 15 of the most beautiful hiking trails in Austin, both inside and outside city limits.
About me: I’m Kelsey, a bestselling travel book author and the creator of 3 Texas travel websites. As a native Texan, I spend my own time and money exploring this state to help millions of readers find the best food, things to do, places to stay in Austin and beyond. Check out my other sites: TheSanAntonioThings.com and TheWacoThings.com!
Quick Austin Hiking Tips:
River Place Trail is the hardest/best hike. If you want a "true" hiking experience, River Place Trail is hands down the best on in Austin. It has some actual climbs, which are pretty challenging, and it's really beautiful.
Winter hiking is where it's at! Winters here are pretty mild, and it's so pretty to go into the greenbelt when it's mostly empty and enjoy a few miles of hiking or running on the trails.
Austin is on the edge of the Texas Hill Country. The further west you go, the hillier it gets. That's because you're starting to enter the Hill Country.
There are no mountains in Austin. (Duh.) If you want Texas mountains you have to go aaaaall the way west to El Paso.
15 Beautiful Hiking Trails in Austin
1. River Place Nature Trail
Distance: 5.5 miles
Is River Place Nature Trail Dog Friendly? Yes, on-leash only
Trailhead Address: 8820 Big View Dr, Austin, TX 78730
Like I mentioned before, if you want a legit hiking experience within Austin city limits, go to River Place Trail! It's a short drive from Downtown Austin, but River Place Nature Trail really feels like you milesssss outside of Austin.
I love this one because it makes me work, haha! It's great for those days when I really want an excellent hiking workout with difficult terrain, several steep inclines and decent, and some challenging staircases. (**Worth noting: it can get very crowded on the weekends. Go on a weekday if possible.)
8820 Big View Dr, Austin, TX 78730
2. Barton Creek Greenbelt
Distance: 13.8 miles
Is Barton Creek Greenbelt Dog Friendly? Yes
Trailhead Address: 1601 Spyglass Dr, Austin, TX 78746
Barton Creek Greenbelt is one of the most accessible hiking trails in Austin, which is why I'm listing it here. It's not hilly, but it's smack in the middle of the city so it's a nice option if you want a midday break from your office and you want to get some fresh air.
Although the main trailhead is near downtown (next to Zilker Park), there are multiple access points - here's how to find all of them.
***Tip: If you hike down this trail, you'll eventually run into Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls, two little swimming holes that are a fun place to take a dip in the early summer months. (In the later summer months, they might be dried out from drought..)
1601 Spyglass Dr, Austin, TX 78746
3. Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park
Distance: Dozens of miles - pick your path!
Is Walnut Creek Trail Dog Friendly? Yes
Trailhead address: 12138 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
Walnut Creek Metro Park is SOOOO good for hiking in Austin! This is a 293-acre park in north Austin (I will continue to sing its praises), and in addition to an epic playground with a 2-story slide, it has miles and miles and miles of hiking trails.
If you just want to get lost in nature and enjoy a few hours of hiking, park your car at Walnut Creek Park, pack some water and snacks, find a trailhead, and gooooo.
12138 N Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78753
4. Mount Bonnell
Distance: 0.5 miles
Is Mount Bonnell Dog Friendly? Yes, on-leash
Trailhead Address: 3800 Mount Bonnell Rd; Austin, Texas 78731
Ok, ok...this one isn't really a hike as much as it is a beautiful place to take a short walk and enjoy the best view in Austin.
Mount Bonnell is a staircase of 102 steps that takes you up to Covert Park, a beautiful little park that offers probably the best place to watch the sunset in Austin. (Psst: here are some of my other favorite places to watch the sunset in Austin!)
3800 Mount Bonnell Rd; Austin, Texas 78731
5. Lady Bird Lake
Distance: 10 miles
Is Lady Bird Lake Dog Friendly? Yes
Trailhead Address: 2384 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746
Located just south of downtown Austin, Lady Bird Lake, also known as the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail (and known as "Town Lake" to old-time Austinites), is one of the best-known running, biking, and hiking trails in Austin. Lady Bird Lake is not just a beautiful dirt and gravel trail; it's also a good place to gaze at Austin's beautiful skyline and enjoy a trail in an urban setting.
The Lady Bird Lake trail has a 10-mile full loop, but if you want to shorten it, you can by crossing any of the numerous bridges spanning the Colorado River.
2384 Stratford Dr, Austin, TX 78746
6. Pedernales Falls State Park
Distance: 6 miles
Are Dogs Allowed At Pedernales Falls State Park? Yes
Trailhead address: 2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636
If you're willing to drive an hour outside of Austin, Pedernales Falls State Park offers 5200 acres of hiking, fishing, swimming, camping, and more. I absolutely love this Texas state park!
They offer all sorts of trails that range from easy to challenging, including the 1/2 mile Twin Falls Nature Trail which features a scenic overlook over the falls, or the stunning six-mile Wolf Mountain Trail. There are 10 trails in all, so you can find one that fits perfectly into your day.
WEBSITE | 2585 Park Rd 6026, Johnson City, TX 78636
7. Violet Crown Trail
Distance: 13 miles
Is Violet Crown Trail Dog Friendly? Yes
Trailhead address: William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746
Similar to some of the other trails on this list, think of this more as a trail running spot in Austin rather than a hiking trail...however, you could definitely call it a hike if you want! The Violet Crown Trail is going to be a 30-mile urban development project that runs through Central Texas.
You can currently hike all the way from Zilker Park (downtown) to the Veloway (south of Slaughter), so it's. pretty robust trail! This hike is on its way to becoming the area's first regional trail system, and the longest trail of its kind in Central Texas.
William Barton Dr, Austin, TX 78746
8. Hamilton Pool Preserve Trail
Distance: 1.8 miles
Is Hamilton Pool Preserve Dog Friendly? No. No pets allowed, not even in your car.
Trailhead Address: 24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
Hamilton Pool Preserve Trail is one of the trails that is a little further away from the Downtown—about a 45-minute trip toward Dripping Springs. But it's definitely worth the drive! It’s one of Texas' most stunning hiking spots because of its breathtaking location, blue lakes, limestone bluffs, and lots of trees. Lots of people head to Hamilton Pool in the summer, but you should definitely go just for a hike, too.
24300 Hamilton Pool Rd, Dripping Springs, TX 78620
9. Mary Moore Searight Park Trail
Distance: 6 miles
Is Mary Moore Searight Park Dog Friendly? Yes, and there’s even an off-leash section
Trailhead address: 907 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78748
Mary Moore Searight Park Trail is a gentle 2.1-mile loop located near the center of a lovely park that is tucked away in a greeny residential region of South Austin. You'll hear cars from nearby roads as a reminder that you're close to civilazation, but the trail is relaxing and has views of Slaughter Creek, open fields, and shaded woodland areas.
The outer trails are connected to the inner trails so you can easily jump around and create your own custom trail.
907 W Slaughter Ln, Austin, TX 78748
10. Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve (Waterfall trail!)
Distance: 1.8 miles
Is Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve Dog Friendly? No. No pets allowed.
Trailhead address: 805 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78746
Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve is a protected wilderness area in Austin that's great for some short (yet hilly!) hiking, great views, and waterfalls!
It's ideal for all levels of hikers because, while the terrain is a little bit hilly, there are multiple paths you can take...some as short as .25 miles. There's a waterfall trail, and if you visit just after the rainy season (May/June) you can sit and enjoy the sound of running water and watch the beautiful waterfall! Note that it will probably be dried up in August.
WEBSITE | 805 N Capital of Texas Hwy, Austin, TX 78746
11. Turkey Creek Trail
Distance: 2.8 miles
Is Turkey Creek Trail Dog Friendly? Yes
Trailhead address: 711 City Park Rd, Austin, TX 78730
Turkey Creek Trail is a moderately challenging out-and-back hiking trail in Austin that's located inside Emma Long Metropolitan Park. It's popular among mountain bikers and hikers. Most of its trail routes are shaded, and there are a few river crossings where you can rest and cool off. If you can, visit Turkey Creek Trail during the weekdays; weekends tend to get pretty packed here. {Photo: Emily P, Yelp}
711 City Park Rd, Austin, TX 78730
12. Mayfield Nature Preserve
Distance: ~ 2 miles
Is Mayfield Nature Preserve Dog Friendly? No dogs allowed, due to the wild peacocks roaming the park
Trailhead address: 3505 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703
Tiny yet beautiful, Mayfield is a 23-acre Nature Preserve is one of the most gorgeous hiking trails in Austin. Because of its lilypad-covered turtle ponds and peacocks roaming the park, you're going to feel like you stepped into a different world.
The main hiking route is quick and simple and only takes about 30 minutes to walk, including a path that descends to a stunning dock with a view of Lake Austin. It's a great family-friendly option if you're in Austin with young kids.
3505 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703
13. McKinney Falls State Park
Distance: 3.1 miles
Is McKinney Falls State Parks Dog Friendly? Yes, on-leash only
Trailhead address: 5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744
McKinney Falls State Park is the best choice if you're searching for a place to go hiking close to Austin that makes you feel like you're far outside of the city. It's an amazing place to visit for its cascading creeks, old rock formations, and age-old history.
McKinney Falls State Park has a trail network that links Upper Falls and Lower Falls, as well as a swimming hole. It's a fun place to bring the family for the day or just a good place to get away for a quick walk through nature.
5808 McKinney Falls Pkwy, Austin, TX 78744
14. Blunn Creek Preserve
Distance: 1 mile
Is Blunn Creek Preserve Dog Friendly? No. No pets allowed.
Trailhead address: 1100 St Edwards Dr, Austin, TX 78704
This one is such a hidden gem in Austin!Blunn Creek Preserve is located right in the middle of the city (next to St Edward's University), but most people don't realize it's there! It's tucked away and you have to know what you're looking for to find it, but it offers a nice, quick little hike where you can get a bit of elevation, get your heart rate up, and enjoy a few moments in nature.
1100 St Edwards Dr, Austin, TX 78704
15. St. Edwards Park
Distance: 2.7 miles
Is St Edward’s Park Dog Friendly? Yes
Trailhead address: 7301 Spicewood Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78759
Locals love St. Edwards Park's green and red trails because they're pretty good for beginner hikers and offer a fun, family-friendly (and free!) activity. It's a well-marked trail with plenty of creekside views and shade.
One quick note: this parking lot is known for car break-ins. 🙁 The trail itself is safe, but maaaany many people have shared photos and stories of their cars being broken into while they're on a 30 min hike. If you live nearby and you can walk to this trail, it's a fun one. But if you're planning to leave your car here, just be warned. Sad, yet true. Hopefully, the Austin Police Department pays attention to this so this beautiful public trail can be enjoyed by Austinites again.
7301 Spicewood Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78759
Is Austin Texas Good for Hiking?
Yes! Although, if you're wondering, "does Austin TX have mountains?" the answer is a resounding NO. Ha...no mountains in Austin, folks. (And no, Mount Bonnell isn't technically a "mountain.")
However, like I mentioned earlier, Austin is definitely full of people who love being outdoors! So hiking is a popular weekend activity here, even though there aren't any mountains.
Also, Austin is on the edge of the Texas Hill Country, so the further west you go in Austin, the hillier it gets.
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