The best places to hike in Austin

The most frequented hiking (and biking) trail, the Ann and Roy Butler is every downtowner and south-of-the-river resident’s favorite, as it’s right in the thick of it all. It’s situated on Lady Bird Lake (the trail can also be called the Lady Bird Lake Trail, for this reason), and you’ll pass some of the best spots in Austin during this hike, from Auditorium Shores to Zilker Park. When you need a rest, simply take a seat along the banks and watch runners and paddleboarders zoom by. Tip: schedule your finish at The Line Hotel at sunset to watch the bats emerge for feeding between March and November.

Sure, taking the steep climb up Mount Bonnell to take a few selfies is one of the most touristy things you can do in Austin, but there is something to be said about vacationing in your own town. One of Austin's tried-and-true dating ideas that goes back to the 1850s is to pack a picnic (these days, it’s a cooler stuffed with Tacodeli and other ATX favorites) and slowly make your way up the 102 steps until you reach the full 775 feet. Once you’ve made it, give your sweetie a kiss under the limestone pavilion. They’ve earned it.

Like Adele or Cher, the Barton Creek Greenbelt is famous enough that locals only refer to it by one name, the Greenbelt. Despite there being multiple “greenbelts” around town, those are typically just referred to by their creek (we know, confusing). The long stretch with seven access points has a little bit of everything. Challenging half-mile elevations like the Hill of Life? You'll find it here. Limestone climbing walls like Urban Assault? Greenbelt has that, too. When the water levels are high enough, there are even swimming holes like Sculpture Falls and Campbell’s Hole.

If you haven’t explored the free nature and science center tucked in the hills on the other side of MoPac in Zilker Park, you need to check it out, but for those who have to go hiking first, the trails here are also worth a visit. Taking the trailhead past the Birds of Prey, there is a choice to head further south, which can take you to the abandoned ruins of a former creek pool long lost to time called Mirror Pond. Look west, and the trails scale the hillside and lead to one of the city's best views, complete with a graffitied monument called Zilker Lookout Point. Along the way, you’ll find another pocket of Spanish moss dripping from the trees above for that mystical touch in this Nature and Science Center trail.

Don’t be surprised if you feel a little underdressed when you arrive at the mouth of the trailhead: the historic cottage and wandering peacocks make Mayfield a popular wedding destination. But walk past the frequent parties, and there are 23 acres to explore, including a path that takes you down to a dock overlooking Lake Austin and several small lily ponds filled with turtles. Not a bad place to unwind, am I right? 

While you can start your journey from several points around downtown, as this creek connects to Lady Bird Lake, the best spot to get moving is from Pease Park. To the north, the trail passes through a picturesque live oak meadow with Spanish moss daintily dripping from a few towering oaks towards the seemingly secret and sacred Seiders Springs. While not the bathing kind you’d find at Barton, the rock wall comes complete with a small saintly statue to add a holy touch to the flowing water. Choose to head south, and the city suddenly springs forth as you wind around the skyscrapers before approaching the Central Library and Butterfly Bridge.

A quick search of the St. Edwards Greenbelt might have some feeling catfished.While yes, there is a small trail near the campus, the St. Edwards Greenbelt is actually miles away westward and far more of an escape into nature than the photos suggest. Upstream of Bull Creek, this bend in the stream offers several small swimming holes dotting the winding pathways through the thickets. On the way from the road towards the creek, lovely little fields open up to reveal the bright blue sky and, in the spring, are coated in wildflowers.

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Sometimes, the best part of hiking is getting lost. It’s easy to miss the trail markers at Mary Moore Searight Park, but that just leads to new discoveries. All the usual park accommodations (basketball courts, a disc golf course and a playground) are there, but you’ll want to explore the juniper and oak woodlands, which are just far enough away from the weekend crowds. Then, make your way to the Spanish moss, which will make you feel like you’re in a Southern Gothic novel.

Every local knows it for its swimming hole, but the only state park in Austin’s city limits is also a hiker's dream. The three-trail system lets you choose your own adventure. History buffs will enjoy the Homestead Trail, which takes you to the ruins of namesake Thomas McKinney’s stone house and gristmill. Families with very young children should opt for the stroller-friendly Onion Creek Hike and Bike Trail, while introverts can travel along the less-popular Rock Shelter Trail, shaded by limestone cliffs. With nine miles of trails in total, there’s plenty of ground to traverse.