Things to Do

Off The Beaten Path: Outdoor Adventure Guide for the Texas Hill Country

By  | 
Tony Maples Photography

 

Here are few of the Texas Hill Country’s most notable biking areas and trails:

Texas Hill Country Loop

For the most tenacious of cycling enthusiasts, the Texas Hill Country Loop is a 311.3-mile long bike route that begins and ends in Austin. Passing through such delightful areas as Gruene, Blanco, and Fredericksburg, this all-encompassing bike expedition takes you through the very epicenter of the Texas Hill Country. With the wind in your face and the sun on your shoulders, you’ll see the most spectacular shows of Texas wildflowers and experience the culture and magic that draws people from far and wide to this part of the state.

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park (Beginner):

Stonewall, Texas

Off The Beaten Path: Outdoor Adventure Guide for the Texas Hill Country

Photo: tpwd.texas.gov

Lyndon B. Johnson State Park is the ideal place for families to embark upon a cycling adventure together. Offering a nine-mile paved loop that winds through the park, the trails are perfect for those of every cycling experience. Visitors make the pilgrimage to this park every spring to enjoy the wildflowers that former First Lady Lady Bird Johnson lovingly cultivated near the boyhood home of the former president. Experiencing the park via bike is a great way to enjoy its beauty.

Buescher State Park (Beginner to Intermediate)

Smithville, Texas

Off The Beaten Path: Outdoor Adventure Guide for the Texas Hill Country
Photo: tpwd.texas.gov

Nestled among the pine trees and cedar elms that fill the voids in east Central Texas, Buescher State Park draws thousands of visitors each year with its shady acreage and its serene feeling of country living.

There is a scenic, 12-mile paved road that goes between Buescher State Park and Bastrop State Park that is a favorite of cyclists of all ages. However, this route can be winding and hilly, so make sure you are comfortable in the saddle before embarking on this cycling excursion.