The scenic Texas Hill Country offers some of the best biking in the state. State parks have unpaved trails and paved park roads are ideal for beginners and families. Mountain bikers seeking adventure can explore hundreds of miles of multi-use and single-track trails. Road cyclists can take in the breathtaking scenery on a leisurely cruise between quaint, historic towns or challenge themselves on a difficult, hilly ride.
The first half of this list features state park trails for various skill levels on different types of terrain. The second half features rides specifically mapped out for road bikes. These fantastic Hill Country rides are featured in the Best Bike Rides in Texas Guide Book. Also, you’ll need a great bike to go trail riding, so you can check 5 Cycling review to know more.
1. Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site – Stonewall
Photo: tpwd.texas.gov
The park has 2.5 miles of hiking and biking trails perfect for taking in the native wildlife and rich LBJ history. For road cyclists, the park has a 9-mile paved loop, which begins and ends at the park visitor center. Both are easy, beginner-level trails without steep grades, ledges, or ruts.
2. McKinney Falls State Park – Austin
Photo: tpwd.texas.gov
McKinney Falls State Park is a 726-acre park located in South Austin. It offers 3.5 miles of easy, paved trails and 6 miles of multi-use trails ideal for mountain biking. You can smoothly connect both trails for a longer ride.
3. Pedernales Falls State Park – Johnson City
Photo: tpwd.texas.gov
This beautiful 5,212-acre park sits along the banks of the scenic Pedernales River in Blanco County. The 20-mile trail is ideal for mountain biking and offers access to heavily wooded areas in the hills. This trail is suitable for beginner to intermediate skill levels, as some areas have moderately steep grades.
4. Government Canyon State Natural Area – San Antonio
Photo: tpwd.texas.gov
Government Canyon State Natural Area is a rugged, 12,011-acre natural area just outside San Antonio. It offers 26 miles of front country and back country hiking and biking trails. The trails range in length so visitors of all skill levels can create their own routes.
5. Buescher State Park – Smithville
Photo: tpwd.texas.gov
The 12-mile paved road between Buescher and Bastrop state parks is winding and hilly, so it is ideal for experienced road cyclists. Buescher State Park also includes 8 miles of hike and bike trails with scenic views of native flora and fauna.
6. Hill Country State Natural Area – Bandera
Photo: tpwd.texas.gov
Hill Country State Natural Area is a 5,369.8-acre site located in Bandera and Medina. The trail is suitable for beginner to advanced skill levels and offers mixed single-track, double-track and jeep roads. The 40-mile trail has plenty of steep hills and technical terrain for avid mountain bikers.
7. Guadalupe River State Park – Spring Branch
Photo: tpwd.texas.gov
The 1,938.7-acre Guadalupe River State Park is located along the boundary of Comal and Kendall counties and is bisected by the beautiful Guadalupe River. The park’s multi-use loop trails offer 10 miles of scenic views and varied terrain for mountain bikers with intermediate to advanced skill levels.
8. Willow City Ramble – Willow City
Photo: Flickr / Roy Luck
This ride features a unique view of the Hill Country between the Edwards Plateau and the Llano uplift near Enchanted Rock. It is 21.3 total miles, with rolling hills, narrow country roads and minimal elevation gain. This easy ride is suitable for all skill levels.
9. Salado Ramble – Salado
Photo: Flickr / annie!
Salado is a small, historic village with a clear creek running through it. Two rambles leave Salado in opposite directions. One route heads east through farmland and ranch country, and includes several scenic Salado Creek crossings. The second route heads west through challenging terrain toward Stillhouse Hollow Lake. The terrain includes gently rolling hills and lightly-traveled country roads, so this easy ride is great for all skill levels.
10. Gruene / River Road Cruise – Gruene
Photo: Flickr / JustinTL
Cyclists have their choice of two routes from Gruene, and both feature the 10-mile section of River Road paralleling the Guadalupe River. Four wide river crossings provide fantastic views. This 30-mile ride offers gently rolling hills along River Rd and varying levels of road traffic, which tends to be heavy on summer weekends and holidays.
11. Lost Pines Cruise – Bastrop
Photo: Flickr / mlhradio
This 37-mile ride features a secluded road through the pine forests of both Bastrop and Buescher State Parks. Cyclists can enjoy views of thick stands of loblolly pines preserved in these parks. The terrain is very hilly through the parks and flat through open farm and ranch land.
12. Hill Country Flyer Challenge – Burnet
Photo: Flickr / mlhradio
This 56-mile route begins at the Burnet town square near the restored Hill Country Flyer steam train depot. The ride features scenic views of a beautiful countryside formed by an ancient and diverse geology. The terrain includes rolling hills with some shaded, secluded areas.
13. Longhorn Caverns Cruise – Burnet
Photo: Flickr / Shawn Thomas
The total length of this route is almost 40 miles. It winds through western Burnet County showcasing the lakes in Inks Lake State Park, as well as the natural caverns in Longhorn Cavern State Park. However, cyclists can shorten the ride by bypassing the lakes and climbing toward Longhorn Cavern or bypassing the caverns and riding past the lakes. The terrain includes gently rolling hills, steeper hills, and one very difficult climb before Longhorn Caverns State Park.
14. Wimberley Metric Century Classic – Wimberley
Photo: Flickr / Dave Hensley
This 61-mile ride begins in Wimberley and explores the Hill Country along the eastern edge of the Edwards Plateau. All roads leaving Wimberley Valley are uphill, and several roads on this ride cross Onion Creek. The terrain includes rolling hills and one big climb on RM 165.
15. The Sawickis’ Favorite Hill Country Challenge – Fredericksburg
Photo: Flickr / Frank Bodden
This route is a loop spanning 53 miles, beginning and ending in the quaint town of Fredericksburg. The country roads are well maintained and lightly traveled, and rolling hills provide scenic views and challenging terrain, including three difficult climbs.
