Five Austin hiking trails you’ve probably never explored

May, 2025

If you’re into hiking, you already know that Austin’s got a trail for every day of the month – and then some. 

When you’re feeling social, head to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake, where runners go to get their fix. For a serious quad workout, opt for the River Place Nature Trail, where you can tackle more than 800 feet of elevation. If you’re hoping to dip a toe in a swimming hole (during a wet year), hike the Barton Creek Greenbelt. And if you want to see a troll or flop on a net inside a giant, open-air globe, beeline it to the Shoal Creek Trail

I’m writing an urban hiking guide to Austin, so I’ve put in plenty of miles all over the city and beyond. As part of that research, I’ve uncovered new-to-me trails and revisited old favorites.  

Here are five under-the-radar-trails that are worth exploring on your next free weekend in Austin. 

Best Austin hiking trail to see a giant oak tree

Austin hiking trails

The trail at Baurle Ranch on Slaughter Creek passes this huge old oak tree. Pam LeBlanc photo

Bauerle Ranch at Slaughter Creek Trail 

Distance: 3.4-mile loop 

Difficulty: Easy 

This 3.4-mile trail winds through a greenbelt that completely encircles a small neighborhood known as Bauerle Ranch in South Austin. Part of the trail parallels Slaughter Creek. One highlight is a gnarled old oak tree so big it takes three people linked arm-to-arm to reach around it. 

Trail runners, dog walkers and mountain bikers all share the trail, which meanders through open fields of tall grass and prickly pear, dives into thickets of ash juniper, and dips in and out of rocky, usually dry creek beds. In spring, it’s a good place to see wildflowers, including bluebonnets, Indian blankets and wine cups. 

Carry water and keep dogs on a leash. Don’t expect all flowers and clear-running creeks, either. In one spot the trail crosses beneath a street, and passersby have left trash and graffiti there. Parking is easy at the David C. Ellis Community Center, 3303 Doe Run, where a small park with a playground and tennis courts is located. 

RELATED: In Switzerland’s quiet Val d’Anniviers, hike from one charming village to the next

Best new paved hiking trail near Austin

Austin hiking trails

Trail users ride scooters along the Brushy Creek North Trail, which opened in spring 2025. Pam LeBlanc photo

Brushy Creek North Fork Trail 

Distance: 6.37-mile out and back 

Difficulty: Easy 

Most locals know about the paved, 7.75-mile, east-west pathway between Cedar Park and Round Rock known as the Brushy Creek Trail. This spring, the trail got a northern extension. 

The new spur starts in a shopping center at the southeast corner of the intersection of West Parmer Lane and Whitestone Boulevard. From there, it heads south, crisscrossing a network of mountain biking trails known as the Suburban Ninja Trails, which were built around 2016. 

The new trail serves a much different audience – one that prefers strolling or pedaling a smooth concrete path instead of rambling along an undulating dirt path spiked with rocks and roots. If you prefer your trails with a natural surface, skip this one. 

You’ll pass through an area that burned in a wildfire in 2023, skirt the backside of a few neighborhoods, pass a stretch of Slaughter Creek that’s been dammed to create a small lake, and ultimately intersect with the Brushy Creek Trail. Keep your head up – I’ve encountered fast-moving road cyclists, skateboarders and scooters on this route. 

Best Austin hiking trail with a view of the Texas Gigafactory

Austin hiking trails

Neilia Bliss hikes a stretch of the Southeast Metro Park in East Austin. Pam LeBlanc photo

Southeast Metro Park Primitive Trail 

Distance: 3.76-mile loop 

Difficulty: Moderate 

Most people know Southeast Metropolitan Park just east of Austin in Del Valle as a place to go for youth or recreation league soccer, baseball and softball games. Athletes scamper up and down neatly groomed playing fields while spectators in folding chairs sip sodas or nibble snacks.  

They’re missing a whole other side of the 299-acre greenspace, bordered on its northern edge by the Colorado River.  

The primitive trail (there’s also a separate paved loop) features several wooden bridges that cross creeks and ditches. You’ll get a glimpse of Gigafactory Texas, a 2,500-acre manufacturing hub for Tesla electric vehicles, and pass a couple of ponds, where anglers sometimes drop a line.  

I like to add on a jaunt along a steep spur trail (marked Nature Trail) near the end to amp up the workout. My heart was pumping after hiking down to a pond and climbing back out.  

The park is located at 4511 Highway 71 East. The primitive trail starts on the north side. 

RELATED: Big changes are coming to Big Bend 

Best Austin hiking trail for birding

Austin hiking trails

Chris LeBlanc hikes along a grassy berm at Hornsby Bend. Pam LeBlanc photo

Hornsby Bend, 2210 South FM 973 

Distance: 5.2-mile out and back 

Difficulty: Easy 

If you like your hiking with a side order of birds, make plans to visit Hornsby Bend, located near Austin-Bergstrom International Airport in southeast Austin. 

The area gets its name from Reuben Hornsby, who settled here in 1832 and later became the community’s postmaster. 

It’s also the home of the Hornsby Bend Biosolids Management Plant, where crews combine sludge from the city’s wastewater plant with yard trimmings to create a type of garden compost called Dillo Dirt. And yes, it can be odiferous, but only near the retention ponds up top.  

Although it might not sound like a great spot for a hike, those nutrient-rich, man-made ponds draw avian visitors. Today Hornsby Bend is known as one of the best places in Austin for birdwatching. More than 350 species of birds have been recorded here. 

The main trail parallels the Colorado River, which forms a wide horseshoe bend, taking hikers into forested bottomlands, along a tree-lined levy, and across open brushland where prickly pear cacti grow in Volkswagen-sized mounds.  

The trail is mostly flat and easy to follow, and you’ll feel far away from the bustling city once you leave your car. Since it’s close to the airport, it’s a good spot for plane spotting, too. 

Best Austin hiking trail along Walnut Creek

Chris LeBlanc hikes the Copperfield Nature Trails in northeast Austin. Pam LeBlanc photoCopperfield Nature Trails 

Distance: 3.8-mile out and back 

Difficulty: Moderate 

Put the Copperfield Nature Trails on your list if you’re looking for a trail that winds through a shady forest and keeps the sun-soaked stretches to a minimum.  

The U-shaped trail makes a good 3.8-mile out-and-back – or if you don’t mind two stretches on sun-exposed city streets, turn it into a 3.35-mile loop. Either way, start at Copperfield Neighborhood Park, 1425 E. Yager Lane.  

One of the downsides is the steady buzz of traffic that hangs overhead near the start. The roar of passing vehicles can detract from the peace of hiking outdoors. 

But once you dip into the woods, you’ll start to forget you’re in the city. Honeysuckle vines grow on either side of the path, and in spring, it smells like heaven. Along the way you’ll pass a fern-covered bluff and cross a few footbridges. We spotted crawfish beneath an overhang in the creek, too. 

The most picturesque section of trail begins at Mile 1.5, where the trail spills onto a wide limestone ledge along Walnut Creek. It’s flat and easy to navigate, with only one spot where you must step over some big boulders.  

There’s a climb not far after that, and just before the 2-mile mark you pop out on Trotwood Drive. From that point, you can retrace your steps to make a 3.8-mile out-and-back hike. If you turn left onto Trotwood Drive and follow the signs, you can pick up the off-road trail again down the road. Stay on the trail until you dead-end into Yager Lane. From there, it’s a sun-exposed saunter east back to the park where you started. 

 

Follow Austin Travels


Austin Travels is a women-owned, Austin-based travel magazine committed to highlighting destinations in Texas and beyond through the lenses of diverse and talented writers.

Subscribe

Palisade wants you to know there’s more to Colorado than the Front Range

Palisade wants you to know there’s more to Colorado than the Front Range

Five Austin hiking trails you’ve probably never explored

Five Austin hiking trails you’ve probably never explored

Big changes are coming to Big Bend

Big changes are coming to Big Bend

Step out of your comfort zone – and into backcountry skiing

Step out of your comfort zone – and into backcountry skiing

In Switzerland’s quiet Val d’Anniviers, hike from one charming village to the next

In Switzerland’s quiet Val d’Anniviers, hike from one charming village to the next

Raft the deepest gorge in America on Idaho’s Snake River through Hells Canyon

Raft the deepest gorge in America on Idaho’s Snake River through Hells Canyon

Making Memories at Mohonk Mountain House

Making Memories at Mohonk Mountain House

From waterfalls to a remote national park, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula serves up scenic outdoor adventure

From waterfalls to a remote national park, Michigan’s Upper Peninsula serves up scenic outdoor adventure

Book now to save big on your family’s ski trip to Winter Park Resort

Book now to save big on your family’s ski trip to Winter Park Resort

No matter the season, Banff serves up adventure

No matter the season, Banff serves up adventure

From tortoise to penguins, wildlife takes center stage on a Galapagos Islands cruise

From tortoise to penguins, wildlife takes center stage on a Galapagos Islands cruise

Bluebonnets are back: A dozen spots to see spring wildflowers in Central Texas

Bluebonnets are back: A dozen spots to see spring wildflowers in Central Texas

Three close-to-Austin places to camp

Three close-to-Austin places to camp

What’s new on the slopes this ski season

What’s new on the slopes this ski season

Dipping into nature in Mexico’s Baja California Sur

Dipping into nature in Mexico’s Baja California Sur

Five days in South Dakota’s Black Hills

Five days in South Dakota’s Black Hills

Five park picks for fall camping season

Five park picks for fall camping season

An Alaskan Adventure of a Lifetime

An Alaskan Adventure of a Lifetime

Discover the raw beauty, warm culture and painful past of the far-flung Marshall Islands

Discover the raw beauty, warm culture and painful past of the far-flung Marshall Islands

Taking the Leap: Coasteering off the Coast of Northern Ireland

Taking the Leap: Coasteering off the Coast of Northern Ireland

Slowing down to soak in the beauty of Big Bend

Slowing down to soak in the beauty of Big Bend

Camping on Crutches

Camping on Crutches

The best campsites anywhere, ever

The best campsites anywhere, ever

Finding powder and snowy adventures at Purgatory Ski Resort

Finding powder and snowy adventures at Purgatory Ski Resort

Eat, Drink, Dance and Ride at Cycle Zydeco

Eat, Drink, Dance and Ride at Cycle Zydeco

Best bet for birding? Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park

Best bet for birding? Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State Park

At Machu Picchu, a lost city in the Andes inspires a traveler

At Machu Picchu, a lost city in the Andes inspires a traveler

Riding Rocky Hill Ranch

Riding Rocky Hill Ranch

From jet boats to ski runs, family adventure awaits in Queenstown

From jet boats to ski runs, family adventure awaits in Queenstown

In Wydaho, stay in Idaho and ski at Grand Targhee in Wyoming

In Wydaho, stay in Idaho and ski at Grand Targhee in Wyoming

From scenery to bars, our picks for the best of North American ski resorts

From scenery to bars, our picks for the best of North American ski resorts

Three and a half cool days in historic Pensacola, Florida

Three and a half cool days in historic Pensacola, Florida

Eat, Sleep, Dive: A live-aboard dive trip in the Turks and Caicos

Eat, Sleep, Dive: A live-aboard dive trip in the Turks and Caicos

Three days in Monterey: Capturing California’s coastal charms

Three days in Monterey: Capturing California’s coastal charms

New terrain, new lifts and more: What’s new at ski resorts this season

New terrain, new lifts and more: What’s new at ski resorts this season

Surf Ireland: Catching waves on the Emerald Isle

Surf Ireland: Catching waves on the Emerald Isle

Discoveries down under: A new way to cave at Natural Bridge Caverns

Discoveries down under: A new way to cave at Natural Bridge Caverns

A rare retreat to mountainside luxury at Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch

A rare retreat to mountainside luxury at Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch

Scalloping, saltwater springs and seashell strolls on Florida’s Sports Coast

Scalloping, saltwater springs and seashell strolls on Florida’s Sports Coast

Eight beginner-friendly places to paddle in Central Texas

Eight beginner-friendly places to paddle in Central Texas

Treasuring time in the Pacific Northwest’s Olympic National Park

Treasuring time in the Pacific Northwest’s Olympic National Park

The Green O: Mother Nature’s Posh Playground

The Green O: Mother Nature’s Posh Playground

Explore the great outdoors in little Castell, Texas

Explore the great outdoors in little Castell, Texas

Fishing, golf and more in the Santee region of South Carolina

Fishing, golf and more in the Santee region of South Carolina

Getting back to nature at the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary

Getting back to nature at the Roy E. Larsen Sandyland Sanctuary

Six places to park your campervan in Texas this Spring

Six places to park your campervan in Texas this Spring

Private Paradise: Diving into French Polynesia’s Dreamy Manihi

Private Paradise: Diving into French Polynesia’s Dreamy Manihi

Last Call: Cat Skiing at Colorado’s Keystone Resort

Last Call: Cat Skiing at Colorado’s Keystone Resort

Secret Sundance: Uncovering the unexpected in Heber Valley, Utah

Secret Sundance: Uncovering the unexpected in Heber Valley, Utah

Diving into French Polynesia

Diving into French Polynesia

Hiking and Swinging through French Polynesian Paradise

Hiking and Swinging through French Polynesian Paradise

A rare glimpse at pearl farming in Tahiti

A rare glimpse at pearl farming in Tahiti

Squeezing in every snowy moment at Solitude Mountain Resort

Squeezing in every snowy moment at Solitude Mountain Resort

A river adventure to reset your life: Rafting the Grand Canyon

A river adventure to reset your life: Rafting the Grand Canyon

Fishing up old memories and making new ones at Inks Lake State Park

Fishing up old memories and making new ones at Inks Lake State Park

Discover the diversity of LBJ National Grasslands

Discover the diversity of LBJ National Grasslands

A guide to the best kettle ponds on Cape Cod

A guide to the best kettle ponds on Cape Cod

Central Texas Camping Guide

Central Texas Camping Guide

A fall paddle down the Devils

A fall paddle down the Devils

Fort Collins: Paddling, Hiking and Biking, Oh My

Fort Collins: Paddling, Hiking and Biking, Oh My

Women, wind and waves: Surfing for adventure

Women, wind and waves: Surfing for adventure

Explore the gravel roads around Fort Collins on the FoCo Fondo bike ride

Explore the gravel roads around Fort Collins on the FoCo Fondo bike ride

Mountain biking mecca Mesa Verde Country is a must-ride

Mountain biking mecca Mesa Verde Country is a must-ride

Bike to Bentonville for 150 miles of trails and much more

Bike to Bentonville for 150 miles of trails and much more

Set your sights on Steamboat Springs this summer

Set your sights on Steamboat Springs this summer

Colorado’s Calling –– Take a summer trip to this cool state now

Colorado’s Calling –– Take a summer trip to this cool state now

Discovering hints of home in Red River

Discovering hints of home in Red River

Diving into the history of falconry at The Broadmoor

Diving into the history of falconry at The Broadmoor

Becoming a birder at Galveston’s FeatherFest

Becoming a birder at Galveston’s FeatherFest

Adventures Await: Roaming the road in a campervan

Adventures Await: Roaming the road in a campervan

Seminole Canyon’s world-class rock art is a lens to history

Seminole Canyon’s world-class rock art is a lens to history

For every season: A house divided over Estes Park, Colorado

For every season: A house divided over Estes Park, Colorado

Plan Your Outdoorsy Adventure

Plan Your Outdoorsy Adventure

Discover history and simple pleasures in Baffin Bay

Discover history and simple pleasures in Baffin Bay

Escape crowds and capture memories in snowy Southwest Montana

Escape crowds and capture memories in snowy Southwest Montana

What to know before you book a ski trip during a pandemic

What to know before you book a ski trip during a pandemic

Go to Red Mountain for $10 cat skiing, a barrel-shaped sauna and zero crowds

Go to Red Mountain for $10 cat skiing, a barrel-shaped sauna and zero crowds