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    Violet Crown Trail

    4.8 (22 reviews)

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    Kyra H.

    We are loving how long this trail is in both directions! For the longest time, my husband and I would park off of 290 in the business parking lot, go down the entrance trail, and up the right side for a few miles. We had been doing this route for years. It wasn't until earlier this year that we decided to go to the left. We have now done it three times and found something different each time. There is so much to offer! Some parts of the trail are flat and can be muddy after the rain, there are quite a bit of rocky areas so make sure that you have proper shoes (our friend has a bad knee and had a very hard time), there are exposed rock walls that are great for climbing, and also lots of streams for dipping in the summer. A couple times ago, we even ran into people doing a slackline from Mopac! There is always something to do and see on this trail.

    Twin Falls
    Elvira A.

    One of the best SouthWest Austin trails. It's an amazing place (Barton Creek Greenbelt) feels like your miles away from anything, yet you're within city limits. There is plenty of parking at a shopping center (Specs & Sams) near trail. The trailhead is less than 1/4 mile from the parking lot. It's a moderate level hike, plus dog friendly. Twin Falls and several other swimming holes are accessible from this trail. This is a safe trail, nevertheless I would recommend hiking with a friend.

    A collection of cairns placed in the creekbed
    Linda M.

    This is very long trail with many entrances and trailheads. I entered at a trailhead just north of the Specs at 290 and Brodie Lane. It was a good mix of hills and flat trails, some through Barton Creek. The route was very shaded, which was welcome because of our current heat wave. I saw some women walking alone, but I personally would not do that as it seems very isolated. It's beautiful and in the city! Can't wait to explore more of this trail.

    Steve H.

    This new trail is amazing! I cant say enough good things about it! It makes getting to the greenbelt via bike so much easier and the view from the bridge the crosses the greenbelt is magnificent! I could rant and rant and rant about how awesome the existence of this trail is but I think everyone gets the point! Five solid stars for sure! Do yourself a favor get out and hike or bike this amazing trail near sunset!

    Meditative Rock stacking. Came out for a hike on Sunday afternoon. Very shady and cool. Just make sure and bring insect repellent.

    Trailmarkers
    veek n.

    Beautiful new extension to the Barton Creek Greenbelt trail system. You can access it from the far end of the Spec's parking lot off 290 and Brodie. Just follow the crushed granite trail at the end of the Spec's parking lot that runs along the access road and you'll meet the trailhead shortly. This trail meets the main Greenbelt trail at about mile 4. The whole system is really a beautiful urban oasis filled with switchbacks, exposed tree roots and rock outcroppings, and (currently waterless) creek beds. There are no facilities or water on this trail. We loved it - kudos to the folks who made this enormous gift to our fair city possible!

    View from the trail

    Good walking trail, but definitely not meant for strollers!!! I don't think the address listed here (on Bee Cave Rd) is correct. Listen to the other comments about getting onto the trail from the Spec's on Brodie.

    Roots!
    Dee M.

    Violet Crown Trail is basically a pathway that connects a bunch of greenbelts. It is protected lands to conserve water quality and provide more green space for people and animals alike. Once fully complete you will be able to go from the Barton Springs pool trailhead all the way up past sculpture falls. Park in the parking lot to the west of Spec's on Brodie (4970 W Hwy 290). After you park...walk through the parking lot toward the stop light and walk up the sidewalk on your left along the frontage road. You will see a crushed granite pathway running parallel to the service road. The main entrance is tucked a little way off the sidewalk through the trees. The first segment consists of rocky switchbacks that work their way down a steep hill. You will notice several paths that cross the main one. Be sure to stay on the trail and not wander into the creek bed...as that is not a trail. Dogs are supposed to be leashed and there are different segments of the trail that are pedestrian only and bikers are supposed to take an alternate route. Bring water!!

    Michael B.

    Pros: I wasn't initially impressed with this trail, but it greatly improves as you progress. I was very pleased after approximately one mile in. It's got a little bit of everything. Id rate it equal to most sections of the Greenbelt and better than some. Far superior to any of the McKinney Falls trails. Excellent amateur rock climbing and plenty of off-trail nooks to explore, I enjoyed the rock outcropping to the right of the first wooden bridge you'll cross. Cons: The road noise is overwhelming at times, it gradually tapers off and beings to be replaced by the pleasant trickling of running water. Then at approximately 2 miles in the trail passes underneath an overpass. Don't let this dissuade you, it's to be expected of any trail located in the Austin City Limits. SEE PIC BELOW FOR MAP TO THE TRAIL HEAD!

    Bluebonnet season! Right at the entrance.

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    10 years ago

    Really nice extension of the Greenbelt. Be sure to park at the Spec's and then walk down the east sidewalk to the entrance.

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    Review Highlights - Violet Crown Trail

    “I parked at Specs 4790 290 E in the parking lot and followed the gravel path alongside 290 to the trailhead.”

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    Mount Bonnell - Enjoying the view of the Colorado River as we strolled along the top of Mount Bonnell.

    Mount Bonnell

    4.4(524 reviews)
    3.5 mi

    Mount Bonnell is the quintessential Austin spot for breathtaking panoramic views of Lake Austin,…read morethe surrounding hills, and some of the most impressive homes in the city. I usually visit here as a part of run club destination run as the sounding area is very hilly and a challenging running route. The best time to visit is around sunrise or sunset as the overlook provides plenty of opportunities for photos, whether you're capturing the water, the skyline in the distance, or simply enjoying the natural beauty of the Texas Hill Country. The trail itself is relatively short and manageable, though there are a few stairs to navigate. Parking can be limited during peak times, so arriving early is a good idea. Despite its popularity, the atmosphere remains peaceful and makes for a great spot to relax, reflect, or bring out-of-town guests for a memorable Austin experience. Whether you're a local or just visiting Austin, Mount Bonnell is a must-see destination that showcases some of the best views the city has to offer.

    Mount Bonnell was a place that we were told we really needed to go when we were visiting Austin…read more You get on top of the ridge (at least this is a ridge to me as I was born and raised and lived in mountain states where the mountains are quite large) and you can get a great view of downtown Austin with it's cityscape and then you can also get a good view of the Colorado River and the neighborhoods across the river which are quite nice. The terrain is rocky on top so watch your step and there are a fair amount of people up here enjoying the view as well. I am sure sunrises and sunsets are beautiful and very impressive. We walked for a ways and got a few different vantage points of the views so if you are able to do that I definitely recommend doing so. It's a great place and indeed a place to go when visiting. The locals enjoy it too!

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    Mount Bonnell
    Mount Bonnell - View at Mount Bonnell

    View at Mount Bonnell

    Mount Bonnell

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    River Place Nature Trail

    River Place Nature Trail

    4.6(253 reviews)
    5.0 mi

    The River Place Nature Trail is the perfect combination of breathtaking scenery and an opportunity…read morefor a great workout. The trail is known for its steep elevation changes, lush greenery, and tranquil water features. This trail is a favorite among outdoor enthusiasts and fitness evangelists. The trail winds through dense vegetation with a mix of wooden steps, rocky pathways, and shaded stretches. One of the biggest attractions is the seemingly endless staircase sections. Looking up from the bottom, those steps appear to climb straight into the heavens. I was mentally preparing myself for the challenge when I spotted a sign that changed everything: "Beware of Snakes. Stay on the designated trail." Excuse me...what?! Will a snake know whether or not I'm on the designated trail? I'm thinking no. Those slithering little noodles of doom that can inject venom and potentially ruin your entire day or your life? At that moment, my inner adventurer immediately became my inner safety officer. Mission status: Abort. Abort. Abort. Instead, we claimed chairs overlooking the pond and enjoyed the peaceful surroundings from a much safer distance. It was incredibly relaxing...except for the part where I spent a good portion of the time imagining snakes conducting secret meetings somewhere in the bushes. All humor aside, River Place Nature Trail is absolutely beautiful. The scenery is stunning, the atmosphere is serene, and for those brave souls who aren't distracted by reptilian concerns, it's an excellent hiking destination. As for me, I'll admire it from the comfort of a chair with a clear view of the ground. There is a fee to walk the trials. If you do not pay the fee, please feel free to donate to the trail fund. This is a very well-maintained trail.

    Nice canyon trail in the middle of the neighborhood. Glad that small piece of nature is preserve…read moreinstead turning into someone's backyard. 2.5 mile one way. It said it has a lot of steps (2736) but they are not continuous so don't worry. There isn't a overlook but at the hill top u can see over the valley a little bit. I started around lunch time . 11am. 89F. Maybe because I was little sick but I drank 24fl oz of water at 2mi mark. So bring more water if u plan on going back. Which will be a 6mi total hike. I see people being kids so it is not very difficult. Scenery: currently Texas is under a drought so all the creek is bone dry as u can see in my pictures. There many different of plants u can see along the path. Flowers and berries too. $10 during peak hours which I assume is weekend. And for parking, you can just park on the street

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    River Place Nature Trail
    River Place Nature Trail
    River Place Nature Trail - Trail

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    Trail

    McKinney Falls State Park - Bluebonnets

    McKinney Falls State Park

    4.0(314 reviews)
    9.7 mi•Southeast Austin

    There are definitely reasons why this park is so popular and why the website recommends purchasing…read moreday passes in advance. McKinney Falls is gorgeous! We went for a hike there right after a big storm and the grounds were so green and vibrant. We mostly stuck to the Onion Creek Trail as it is paved; however, the storm brought in mud to a few places on the trail, so be prepared to maneuver or wear proper footwear if you go during rainy season. Many families line up to take pictures in front of the upper falls (outside the Smith visitor center), so go early if you'd like a picture free of other guests. We then went to the lower falls area where there is an expanse of limestone (I believe) to get to the falls. There's a very small beach and swimming hole area that many families were enjoying. It's important to note that dogs can't enter any of the water at this park. The park also had multiple designated fishing areas as well. We drove around the campgrounds and they have well-maintained water + electric sites at every site. We would highly recommend a visit if you're in the Austin area.

    Make sure you time your visit and check the weather…read more We decided to come here and have a picnic lunch and it was hot, hot, hot at 110 degrees mid-August. The falls were not falling - no water at all - people were still swimming in the swimming hole and trying to have a good time but it was miserably hot. Not the park's fault but - probably not the best in the middle of summer.

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    McKinney Falls State Park - Newly engaged couple portraits by the falls

    Newly engaged couple portraits by the falls

    McKinney Falls State Park - EV charging

    EV charging

    McKinney Falls State Park

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    Barton Creek Greenbelt

    Barton Creek Greenbelt

    4.5(39 reviews)
    3.5 mi•78704 (South Austin)

    We had a wonderful hiking experience along the greenbelt. We started at the spyglass trailhead and…read morefortunately found street parking. We went along the trail to the Gus frau trailhead and made our way up to the residential neighborhood above. It was a great hike - lots of woods around us and we saw some areas where folks were trying out rock climbing and bouldering. It's a pretty easy hike - not too much of an elevation gain. We saw a lot of families and dogs along the trail. The Gus Frau portion was a bit steeper but still pretty do-able overall. The hike is shaded which is much appreciated during hot Texas summers. I would certainly come back here to check out more of the Greenbelt!

    Back in the day (and by that, I mean about a few months ago), I found this randomly and stopped to…read morewalk/hike around on a sunny sunday morning. I wasn't aware there were multiple starting points for this trail as there's a connection in the Townlake area; but I found this location! It's roughly 3 miles and covers the South Austin area with the trail that crosses underneath route 360 and goes alongside Barton Creek. There is plenty of uphill climb here that will give you quite the workout but it's well worth it! I saw a decent amount of hikers/walkers here with a couple bikers. Some trail areas are narrow so you may find yourself either stepping aside or influencing someone to step aside. I'll be back!

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    Barton Creek Greenbelt - Under the bridge

    Under the bridge

    Barton Creek Greenbelt
    Barton Creek Greenbelt

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    Jacobs Well Natural Area - Front entrance parking area

    Jacobs Well Natural Area

    4.2(163 reviews)
    25.3 mi

    I'm sure that during its peak season and at its full potential, the well will be much more…read morecaptivating and visually appealing than my experience of it. But despite that notion, Jacob's Well overall is very underwhelming. The hike is probably the shortest and least challenging I've ever experienced. There are several mini trails that are great for kids to explore, along with a large tire swing at the front entrance. Jacob's Well is definitely very kid- and senior-friendly as it's not very strenuous at all to hike or walk around. It's a nice that it's there for everyone to experience nature but again, very underwhelming. We spent about half an hour there which was enough time to experience the entire area. Definitely worth a visit if it's your first time in Wimberley.

    My family and I stopped by here while driving around and was a fun experience. They had a play area…read morefor kids, a garden, some swings, picnic tables and few trails you can walk. They are known for the well so we naturally went there first. I was expecting a bit more honestly but it was cool to see regardless. The park itself is free but if you want to swim, you have to reserve it and only can during season (starts in may). I can't speak much on the swim itself but the hike there wasn't really bad honestly. There are a few paths that require you to be careful (climbing rocks and bit of steep hill) so hang on to the rails, ropes and don't step close to the edges. The paths themselves are actually really small not very far hikes. You can complete most of the trails in a day if you like but watch your step on some of the paths. The ones I liked were more rocky paths and a bit challenging but nothing too painful. There wasn't many people around either on the paths so was able to just enjoy and do some bird sightings. We even enjoyed a picnic there and nothing around us to bother us. Overall this was a fun experience to visit if you happen to be around. I think this place is fun if you have kids and need to burn some of their energy.

    Photos
    Jacobs Well Natural Area
    Jacobs Well Natural Area - Flowers all around

    Flowers all around

    Jacobs Well Natural Area

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    Violet Crown Trail - hiking - Updated September 2026

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