The Rundown on Austin’s Trails

Austin is considered one of the best cities in the U.S. for trail running, and with good reason.  The Austin Parks and Recreation Department supervises over 50 miles of trails, while neighborhoods provide extra leg room for local runners, and the array of hiking trails provide even more options for the vertically inclined.  Because of Austin’s mild weather, trails can be run, walked, hiked, or biked throughout the year.  The options in terrain are almost as expansive as the trails themselves, offering dusty trails, waterfront runs, pine-shaded paths, flat planes and grueling hills.  Below are some of the most popular running trails found in and around the city.

Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt and District Park – Located at  7806 N. Capital of Texas Highway or 6701 Lakewood Dr. in northwest Austin, this  3.43 mile trail is designed for hiking and mountain biking.  Predominately following the creek, it also provides a quick cool-off in the summer where the trail crosses the creek in several places.

Shoal Creek Greenbelt and Pease Park – Located at 2600 Lamar Blvd., this 4.62 mile trail, also located in northwest Austin, is ideal for walking, jogging, and biking.  Hidden behind the bustle of cars on Lamar Blvd., trail runners will forget they are in the middle of the city when encapsulated by trees and bluffs.

Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail – By far the most popular and most visible trail in the city, Lady Bird Lake (formerly Town Lake) Hike and Bike Trail runs through the center of downtown Austin, with several options for starting and finishing.  The primary trail head is located under the Mopac Bridge close to Zilker Park, where water stations are provided by RunTex.  The full circle of this trail is 10.1 miles. (Photo Courtesy John Anderson / Austin Chronicle.)

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park – Starting at 12138 N. Lamar Blvd. in north Austin, this trail has a 5.26 mile main trail and an 11.22 mile secondary trail that takes hikers and bikers throughout the entire park.  Most of the trails on this route are shaded and smooth, making it ideal for jogging and beginning mountain bikers.

River Place Nature Trail – One of the newest trials in Austin, this hiking or jogging trail follows Panther Hollow close to the River Place and Steiner Ranch developments.  Round trip, this trail is 6 miles long with escalating stairways built into the hills to challenge runners.  The top of the trail offers views of the Balcones Canyonland.

Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park on Slaughter Creek – Located at  6401 West Slaughter Ln. in southwest Austin, this trial is a 5 mile loop suited for mountain bikers, runners, hikers, and horses. The parks are close to the Circle C Ranch neighborhood, and also feature soccer complex, a disc golf course, and a playground.

Many of these trails are located right next door to Austin neighborhoods and housing developments.  If you love to enjoy the outdoor activities found within the city limits, call an Austin realtor to help you find a house that puts you in the center of the outdoor action.