Surrounded by stunning landscapes and state parks, Austin is among the best places to visit in the United States. There are plenty of places to hike near Austin that even avid hikers are unaware of. While most of them have covered the 10 best hikes in Austin, they remain clueless about the spectacular ones around them. For instance, the River Place Nature Trail Austin Tx is known throughout the trekking world. There are many hiking trails South Austin offers as well. But very few people know about the awesome places to hike near Austin. Hiking outside of Austin is as fun as within it. Take a look at some of the top places you can hike near Austin listed below.
Best hikes near Austin to enjoy:
Austin is one of the best family holiday spots in the US. Some of the best places to hike near Austin can be enjoyed throughout the year. Thereby, you can make an unplanned trip on last minute flights without having to plan a trip months ahead in advance. Check out some of the top places to hike near Austin listed here and find one you’d like to explore first.
- Hill of Life Trail
Overlooking the spectacular Barton Creek, the trail is as fascinating as its name. The six-mile-long trail can be a challenging one to make. However, you’ll encounter breathtaking beauty as you make your way across the trail. Besides lush greenery, you will come across gorgeous waterfalls as well. The sight of water snaking past limestone rocks and splashing down from a considerable height is simply mind-blowing! A wonder of nature, this is among the most beautiful places to hike near Austin.
- Inks Lake State Park
This is among the best Austin hiking trails with waterfalls. The marvelous thing about Lake Inks is that the level of water remains the same regardless of the amount of rainfall. This has made the park a popular spot for fishing, boating, and swimming among other fun things. As you make your way across the hiking trail along the lake and past the waterfall, you may spot some of the park’s resident turkeys. Also, there is pink granite throughout the park that adds to its charm and beauty, making it extremely photogenic.
- Turkey Creek Trail
One of the most popular places to hike near Austin, this exceptional trail can be found within the Emma Long Metropolitan Park. The trail is a spectacular one that winds through thick trees and over a stunning creek. Also, dogs are allowed on the trail without their leashes on. Therefore, if you see an adorable pup come running to greet you, don’t be alarmed as it might belong to another trekker. Once you’re done hiking, you can go for a swim in the pristine Lake Austin and cool off.
- Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
This is among the most fascinated places to hike near Austin when arriving on business class flights for a trip. The top attraction here is the massive pink granite rock smack in the middle of the park. Several trekkers climb up the rock the hard way while some just hike up the hill. Although, do keep in mind that the rock can be a lot more slippery than it seems, especially right after a spell of rain. Reportedly, the rock ‘makes noises’ at nightfall as it cools down. Perhaps this is why Native Americans considered it a mystical thing.
- McKinney Falls Rock Shelter Trail
This happens to be among the best places to hike near Austin for nature-cum-animal lovers. As you hike past tiny streams, limestone cliffs, cypress trees, and overhangs, you’ll have the chance to spot some spectacular fauna. Expect to come across deer, songbirds, raccoons, armadillos, and more. At the heart of the park is a swimming hole with an attached waterfall. If the pool has white water around the time you’re visiting, you will be prohibited from swimming in it for safety and health reasons.
- Barton Creek Greenbelt
With more than 800 acres of spectacular land, this is among the top places to hike near Austin. It’s a good place for novices as well as pro hikers with well-marked trails for the most part. If you’re an amateur, just avoid the trails that are made up of massive boulders as these are not so well-marked. There are plenty of limestone cliffs here as well. Also, you will find the entire region dotted with small swimming holes that fill up and empty out depending on the rain. It’ll be easy to find a secluded swimming hole to cool off in private.
Pick any of the above awesome places to hike near Austin. There are other trails to choose from as well. For instance, you could choose to explore the Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve, Violet Crown Trail, or Bastrop State Park as well. Book cheap flights to USA and come down to Austin for your best hiking adventure yet! Enjoy a safe and happy trek!
