I arrived from NYC and decided to hike the entire Greenbelt my first morning here. Ambitious.
I started out at the end (the Hill of Life) and worked my way down to Barton Springs; if you're trying for the whole thing I would suggest doing this. Park at the Springs if possible and then Uber to Camp Craft Rd. & Scottish Woods. The Hill has a ton of stairs that will just kill you if you save them for last, and this way you can end with a dip in the Springs (though there's no need to pay the entry fee at the very end - you'll have access to the creek most of the way anyway).
The trail is long to begin with, not accounting for the fluidity of the route due to the changing landscape. I had come after a storm, so the creek was full and had actually washed away part of the trail. I ran into numerous locals along the way who would explain this to me and guide me through the sections they knew. At one point the trail disappears and you have to cross the water, which depending on the water levels isn't always an issue but it was on this day. Afterwards someone suggested checking the water levels before you head out- I think this is a good idea.
The trail disappeared earlier than usual because of the flooding and the water was neck deep and moving rapidly. I had been hiking a long time and going back would mean not finishing the whole thing since locals told me the usual path had washed away, and I was determined to finish so...I went up. I was alone on the trail trying to figure out how to basically scale a mountain post shoulder surgery when a handsome bearded mountain man came out of no where to give me some words of encouragement. There was a trail, of sorts, up there, but it was a big drop down if I made any missteps. I spider walked up that thing in a bikini and hiking boots (it was freakin hot!) and made it safely to the top by grabbing onto jagged rocks and fallen trees. I still ended up having to ford the damn creek later with another group of people I met but it was at an easier point (chest high instead of neck) and we all helped each other. Bring waterproof gear for your electronics and maybe water shoes so your hiking boots don't get saturated.
In the end I made it and felt like a super hero :) At a leisurely pace, with plenty of swimming breaks, it took me 7 hours (I'm not an experienced hiker, I have no idea if this is good or not).
The Greenbelt is gorgeous. Some of the falls are crowded with teenagers. Other areas are so secluded that you can go 20 minutes without seeing another person. There are multiple ways to enter all along the route, so people enter and use the sections of the trail they live closest to. The water is a gorgeous, there are plenty of picturesque areas to lay out on the rocks in the sun and take a dip to cool off. There are some caves; rock shoots up high around you. Some parts are well shaded by trees, others more open. There some seriously rocky parts, some narrow and steep. Others are flat, easy for anyone to traverse. The main trail is well marked but it's easy to get lost on one of many offshoots created by man or nature in certain parts. There are lots of dogs off the leash, all well behaved, and I didn't think there was much dog poop but then I'm from a filthy place so take that for what you will. I thought the trail was pristine.
This is Austin's backyard, a gorgeous gift. If I lived in the city I'd be here every day :) read more