15 Best Hiking Trails in Austin: Explore the Best Trails & Nature Spots

Hiking in Austin might seem like a glorified walk through the woods or on terrain, but its physical and mental health benefits outweigh the ones gained from just strolling in a park. Your balance, motor control, and endurance improve, and it potentially minimizes the risk of cardiovascular diseases and frees you up from stress and anxiety. Austin, Texas, is a prime location for hiking at places with scenic beauties, creeks, and waterfalls.

This article lists ten top hiking trails in Austin, so select one that you find good, pack your bags, and have a memorable and safe hiking experience. So, without further ado, let’s dig in!

Best 10 Hiking Trails in Austin

Besides being known for its nightlife and restaurants, Austin has a network of hiking trails stretching from east to west and north to south. It means people there can escape city life when needed. From waterfalls to swimming holes to truly stunning views, everyone can experience a little on a bike, foot, or stroller. Below are some of the best spots for hiking in Austin:

Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail

Place Name: Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach in Town Lake Metropolitan Park

Address: 2 Robert T Martinez Jr St, Austin, TX 78702, United States

Length: 10.1 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Best For:

• Largemouth bass and panfish fishing
• Picnic areas and parks around the lake
• Trails for hiking and biking

Lady Bird Lake Hike & Bike Trail is a scenic reservoir on the Edward Rendon Sr. Park at Festival Beach in Town Lake Metropolitan Park of Austin, Texas. Its lush vegetation, serene waters, and stunning views make it a great place for people who want to bike, hike, kayak, or simply have a peaceful or enjoyable time with family. There’s an outdoor activity for people of every age and skill level.

Mount Bonnell

Place Name: Covert Park

Address: Austin, TX 78731, United States

Length: 0.5 mile

Difficulty: Easy

Best For:

• Short hike to the top of Mount Bonnell
• Picnic and Enjoy the sunset over Lake Austin
• Click stunning nature photos

Clocking at around 775 feet, Mount Bonnell is the tallest point in Austin city limits and offers one of the best views in town. It’s a favorite for mountain bikers, and Mount Bonnell's hike is on the bucket list of many tourists. Also, you can take your family for a short walk up, pack a picnic, and sip on a sparkling cider to watch the picturesque sunset over the lake, followed by the city skyline lit up at night.

Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail

Place Name: Extends from Zilker Park to Twin Falls

Address: Austin, TX 78746, USA

Length: 12 mile

Difficulty: Moderate 

Best For:

• 12 miles of hiking trails
• Rugged terrain for mountain biking
• Spring-fed swimming holes

Barton Creek Greenbelt is Austin’s 803-acre outdoor adventure playground. The 12-mile hiking and biking trail takes you through some of the top swimming holes where you can have a good swim and a view of plenty of other spots (falls, creeks, and areas with a lot of tree coverage) to cool off during sizzling summer days. So, if you’re willing to brave the heat, this hiking trail in Austin can be a great day trip or post-work hike.

River Place Nature Trails

Place Name: Big View Drive

Address: 8820 Big View Dr, Austin, TX 78730, United States

Length: 5.5 mile

Difficulty: Hard

Best For:

• Rigorous climb with 1,700-ft elevation change and 5000+ stairs
• Impressive views across the riverfront park

River Place Natural Trails has a 5.5-mile out-and-back route and is a perfect thru-hiking location in the Austin area. Its serious elevation and breathtaking views across the riverfront park are pretty much everything a hiker might wish for. However, there are 5,000+ stairs along the way, which means it isn’t suitable for mountain bikers.  

Turkey Creek Trail

Place Name: Emma Long Metropolitan Park

Address: 1401-1711 City Park Rd, Austin, TX 78730, United States

Length: 3 mile

Difficulty: Moderate

Best For:

• Lots of creek bed crossings and good trails
• Great for spotting local wildlife and birds
• Natural landscapes and creek views offer excellent photo opportunities

If the previous trail seems a bit strenuous, try exploring the 3-mile Turkey Creek Trail with moderate difficulty. The scenic views along the way are the reason for a prime biking and hiking spot amongst the locals. Turkey Creek Trail runs along Lake Austin with several limestone cliffs and creek crossings, ranking it amongst the best hiking trails in Austin. It is one of the trails where you can take your canine companion off-leash with you.

Violet Crown Trail

Place Name: Downtown to Onion Creek

Address: Austin, TX 78749, USA

Length: 30 miles

Difficulty: Moderate to hard

Best For:

• Great hiking, running, and biking spot
• Good walking spot for people of all ages
• Home to local birds

Violet Crown Trail is a 30-mile trail with winding creeks and giant oaks, making it the longest in Central Texas, running from downtown Austin to Onion Creek. It’s a moderate to difficult hike, where you can choose your own adventure trail depending on where you start your travel and take a nature-infused break from city life. Surrounded by shady trees, the paved and well-maintained dirt paths offer perfect spots for cycling, biking, walking, or rollerblading with your family and furry friends.

Redbud Trail

Place Name: Red Bus Isle

Address: 3401 Redbud Trail, Austin, TX 78746, United States

Length: 3.8 miles

Difficulty: Easy

Best For:

• A popular park for dogs and their owners
• Offers a stunning view of Town Lake
• Popular with Kayakers and Canoeists

Redbud Trail is one of those short trails that begins at the small parking lot on the northern island and continues up to the southern side. You basically circle the island, covering several spots along the way, and end the trail with a spectacular view of the Town Lake. Anyone can enjoy an easy hike, and many dogs roaming around off-leash with their owners can be seen here.

Hamilton Pool Preserve Trail

Place Name: Hamilton Pool

Address: Texas 78620, USA

Length: 0.25 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Best For:

• Great for walking, running, and biking
• Forested canyon cools off

Hamilton Pool Preserve Trail is one of the most unique hiking spots in Austin, with its jade green pool nested in the basin of a limestone grotto. It takes a 45-minute drive from Downtown, but it is worth it! The trail is around 0.25 mile long, and you come across its picturesque location, limestone bluffs, blue lakes, and lots of trees. It makes a great spot for nature photography and for families who want to cool off in nature.   

South Walnut Creek Trail

Place Name: Govalle Neighborhood Park

Address: 5200 Bolm Rd, Austin, TX 78721, United States

Length: 10 miles

Difficulty: Moderate

Best For:

• Great for biking, hiking, and running
• Popular spot for birdwatching

The South Walnut Creek Trail starts at Govalle Park in Southeast Austin and goes northeast for almost 10 miles. Several underpasses, bridges, and connections exist to East Communities YMCA, Austin Tennis Center, and the Driveway racetrack. It connects to other trails, so you can explore many at a time. Rounding the main part of the trek, you come to Johnny Morris Road. A concrete bench offers a perfect spot to watch the sun go down and click stunning photos.

Mayfield Nature Lake Trail

Place Name: Mayfield Cottage and Gardens

Address: 3505 W 35th St, Austin, TX 78703, United States

Length: 0.3 mile

Difficulty: Easy

Best For:

• Home to wildlife, including peacock
• View of Lake Austin
• Laguna Gloria Art Museum

Mayfield Nature Preserve transports you to another magical realm with its lilypad-covered ponds and wandering peacocks. Its garden that blooms wildflowers in early summer and spring adds to the beauty. The main trail is easy to cover, and it only takes you around 30 minutes to walk. Besides, there are ample areas for you to sit and take breaks.  

5 Places for Hiking in Austin with Waterfalls

Summers in Austin can be brutal, and many hiking spots in Austin have waterfalls and gorgeous scenery to enjoy nature and cool off. Here are the five best places for hiking in Austin with waterfalls:

McKinney Falls State Park: Located on the edge of Austin, Texas, and a 13-minute drive from the Downtown area, it’s a great place to enjoy the outdoors. From hiking and camping to swimming in the falls, there’s no shortage of outdoor activities, whether you’re solo hiking or taking family or friends with you.

Great Hills Park Trail: This is a fun and relaxing spot for hiking, biking, or walking near Downtown Austin. The main hiking trail is considered easy and extends around 1.6 miles from Sierra Oaks to Flora Park, crossing the park’s creek five times. There’s a side trail accessible from Fox Way, which passes through two springs and a small waterfall.

Bull Creek District Park and Greenbelt: A 20-minute walk along the scenic trails of Bull Creek lets you spot wildlife and enjoy the flowing creek. Multiple access points along the way deliver a tranquil hiking experience.

Spicewood Valley Trail: It is a hidden gem that offers a great hiking experience with small waterfalls, creeks, limestone, and oak trees. If you prefer quiet urban hiking, this place might be an ideal weekend getaway.

St. Edward’s Park: With creeks and waterfalls combined with a picturesque and peaceful environment, St. Edward’s Park delivers a serene hiking experience. It might not be a popular name, but it should be on your list of places to check out.  

Hiking Checklist and Items

With proximity to nature and plenty of hiking trails, Austin is regarded as one of the most well-liked hiking destinations in the country. Of course, you have the location in mind, but carrying the hiking essentials is crucial. It ensures you’re prepared for potential challenges across the trail, including unexpected terrain, hiking in rain, or emergencies, and ensures a safe and enjoyable hiking experience. The must-haves include food, water, navigation tools, appropriate clothing, and first aid supplies. Here’s the list:

• Shelter: Ultralight tarp, emergency blanket, bivy sack
• Navigation: Compass, paper & digital map, altimeter watch, GPS devices
• Clothing System: Base Layers, mid layers, outer layers, hiking boots
• Sun Protection: Suncream, sunglasses, sun-protection clothing
• Repair Kit: Repair Patches, knife, duct tape, safety pins
• Light: Headlamp or flashlight
• Fire: Matchsticks/butane lighters
• First Aid: Sticky Bandages, blister treatments, gauze pads, adhesive tapes, disinfectant ointment, over-the-counter pain medicine, and gloves
• Extra Food and Water
• Hiking and Camping Solar Generators: Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station, Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus

Jackery Portable Power Supply for Hiking

Hiking is enjoyable, safe, and pleasurable, provided you have the needed equipment. Power generators are a key part of your essentials kit to keep your electrical appliances like CPAP machines, smartphones, drones, cameras, and more. Solar generators are the best choice in this respect as they save the environment and your pocket.

Jackery Solar Generators are an incredible power source for your activities, whether hiking, camping, or living off-grid. They combine foldable solar panels and portable power stations to convert sunlight into usable AC current. The current is then supplied to the appliances when and where needed.

Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus

Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus is a portable, lightweight, and reliable battery backup solution for any outdoor journeys, camping, hiking, rock climbing, or wildlife spotting. It packs enough power to keep most basic electrical appliances running for hours. And its advanced technology keeps your appliances safe even in the event of power failure. The 40W iPad-sized solar panels can fit into your backpack, so you can charge the battery backup solution whenever needed.

Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station

Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station is one of the smallest charging solutions, fitting just into your palm. It can power essential appliances like smartphones, drones, cameras, etc., for a few hours. Whether you’re out on a family trip or hiking with your friends, it can be a reliable companion for your appliances.

Conclusion

Hiking in Austin can be a memorable experience, provided you choose the right location and carry the right items. Not only do these make a hiking trip enjoyable, but they also help you stay safe even during dire situations. Jackery Solar Generators are essential, as they are compact, portable, and reliable battery backup solutions. They can power up most of your basic electricals for hours and let you stay safe and connect with the outside world.