Rating System

Easy Trail
Short distances and smooth surfaces. Suitable for novice riders including kids.  Kind of like a sidewalk, but made out of dirt...

Beginner Level
Still pretty smooth and easy, but the trail may have a few rocks, some tight and twisty sections and maybe some steep ups and downs.  Nothing too hairy, though...

Intermediate Level
Tougher than Beginner.  These are 'real' mountain bike trails.  The trail will have a combination of one or more of the following: rocks, tight, twisty stuff, steep ups and downs, drops/ledges and hard climbs...

Advanced Level
Tough trail for more experienced riders.  Expect lots of rocks and drops, the possibility of extended climbing, fast down hills and plenty of opportunities to inflict bodily and bike damage... 

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Ride Rating System:
Start easy and work your way up.

Easy and Beginner Rides
Geared for people looking for conversational paced riding with stops to regroup and/or discuss technical sections and/or offer riding advice. Also good for new comers to learn trails and meet people to ride with. All Beginner rides have a 'Sweep' - an experienced rider that rides at the back of the pack to insure that no one gets dropped. The rides are usually 5-10 miles in distance and can last 1.5 - 4 hours.  Some of these rides will also incorporate 'Skills Clinics', where we'll help new riders develop the needed skills to tackle more difficult terrain.

Intermediate Level Rides
Geared for the more advanced rider capable of a fairly fast pace with good technical skills. Good for experienced riders new the area to learn the local trails and meet people to ride with. Fewer stops to regroup but usually wait at trail intersections. These rides often split into smaller groups of faster and slower riders.  There are no sweeps on intermediate rides, so it is possible to get dropped.  This is rare, but it has happened - so be prepared.  Ride length and time vary greatly depending on terrain.

Advanced Level Rides
Same as above but "on steroids". Very technical, longer distances, slower riders may get dropped.  Feel free to drop the ride leader as well!

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THE BARTON CREEK GREENBELT

Zilker Trail Head - West of the shallow end of Barton Springs Pool in Zilker Park.
Spyglass - Take Barton Skyway east from MOPAC until it dead-ends.
360 - On the north side of 360 between MOPAC and Lamar, use the dirt parking lot at the bottom of the Toy's R Us hill.
Gaines - MOPAC frontage road south of 360.
Hill of Life - Take Scottish Woods road west (south) on 360 to Camp Craft rd. Turn right on Camp Craft rd and trail head is up the street approximately 100 ft. Ê(Parking available on east (north) side of 360 at school.)

Trail Description: THE quintessential mountain bike trail in Austin and located right in the heart of town. This is the trail where most of us learned to ride. That's not to say it's an easy trail...far from it! The +/- 8-mile (one-way) "greenbelt", as it is affectionately known, has it's share of rocky, technical , gnarly @#$& that challenges even the most advanced riders. It's definitely not the place to try to hammer, not just because it's technical, but because many hikers use the trail and because WE ARE ALL VERY POLITE OFF-ROAD CYCLISTS WHO ALWAYS GLADLY SHARE THE TRAIL and RESPECT OTHER TRAILS USERS (RIGHT? RIGHT!). There are numerous blind curves where a hiker, or another biker, could be coming around and a head-on (or even a glancing blow) will do little to advance your mountain biking career. After rainy spells the creek retains a good bit of water, making for some wet and wild creek crossings. Of course, there's rarely water in the creek during the summer when we need it the most. From the trailhead at Zilker to the trail at the dam past the Hill of Life, there are no less than 7 creek crossings to splash through. What's the Hill of Life, you ask? Well, words don't really do it justice, and you have to experience it firsthand to be inscribed in the Book of Mountain Biking. But when you've gone about 7.5 miles and you're thinking, man, I still have to turn around and get all the way back to my car at Zilker Park, the Hill of Life becomes your bailout - but there's a hefty price attached. The Hill climbs about 150 feet in a 1/4 mile and it's about as close to real "mountain" biking as you're going to get in Austin. At the top of the hill it pops you out onto Camp Craft Road & Scottish Woods Drive, which shortly connects you to Loop 360 at Westlake High Drive. Then you can road it back to Zilker from there and still get home in time for dinner. There are pretty good information signs posted at the Zilker Park, Loop 360 and Hill of Life/Scottish Woods entrances to the Greenbelt. The Barton Creek Greenbelt is an incredible natural resource, please respect it... and have fun!

Contact Information: After a heavy rain the Parks Dept. closes the trail until it dries up some, so it's a good idea to call beforehand if it has rained in the last few days. To get current trail conditions and closure information, call the hotline anytime at 472-1267.

Fee: No Fee for this public access trail.

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WALNUT CREEK TRAIL  

Directions: Located in North Austin, just off IH-35, the trails at Walnut Creek Park are easily accessible from all parts of the city. To get there, go north on either IH-35 or Mopac Expressway and exit onto Parmer Lane. Take Parmer east from Mopac, or west from the Interstate to N. Lamar Blvd. Go south on Lamar for about a half-mile, looking for the park sign on your right.

Trail Description: The main trailhead is near the first parking area on the left, near the swimming pool. This 12+ mile network of trails is over 90% twisty singletrack, with a few jumps, downhills, and creek crossings thrown in. This is a work-in-progress with many new sections added. If you ride here check out anything that looks new, because it's all pretty sweet, thanks largely to the efforts of one guy, Mark Henneke, who has single-handedly built and cleaned up a lot of these trails. At first the trails seem like a maze with no flow, but after riding them a couple of times you find the loops and it's possible to do about 12 miles of continuous trail. Be careful until you learn the trails, as there are 2 or 3 places where unrideable dips can sneak up on you. To learn the trail, come out to one of the regularly occurring ARR rides at the park. Check the Events page to see when the next ride is scheduled.

Fee:No Fee for this public access trail.

Map

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CITY PARK (a.k.a. "Emma Long"), Austin TX.

Directions: Take 2222 exit from MOPAC or 360, head west to City Park Road. Turn left and go 3.8 miles to Oak Shore, turn left and go 0.9 miles until you see the motocross sign on the left, and you're there.

Trail Description: Difficult. Six mile loop with technical rocky ledgy drops and climbs mixed with a bit of fast twisty hard pack. It's challenging - probably one of the most technical trails in Texas - but it's also a ton of fun.

Important Stuff: This is an endangered species habitat so BE NICE! Stay on the trails. As you might have gathered, there might be motorcycles there. Listen and get out of the way if you hear one - you'll know about them before they know about you. And be friendly to the motorcycle riders - they built this trail and maintained it for years before mountain bikes ever came around. They were nice enough to let us ride their trail - so be nice back to them.

Contact Information: 512-837-4500 Austin Parks & Recreation Department.

Fee: No fee for this public access trail

SLAUGHTER CREEK TRAIL  

Directions: From Austin, go to the Y in Oak Hill. Continue west on Hwy 290 and turn left onto Camp Ben McCullough Rd./FM1826 (third traffic light after the Y). Drive approximately 2 miles, cross the low water bridge over Slaughter Creek and the property/gate entrance will be on your left. From Circle C and other areas in South Austin, take Slaughter Lane to Camp Ben McCullough Rd./FM1826. Turn left on Camp Ben/1826. Drive approximately 1 mile. Cross the low water bridge over Slaughter Creek and the property/gate entrance will be on your left.

Park is open from dawn to dusk.

Trail Description: This trail has some unique elements and there is some important information you need to know before riding:

The City of Austin Water Utility (City) owns and maintains the Water Quality Protection Lands (WQPL’s). This is not a park, but rather a sensitive environmental area that is preserved in order to protect and improve the quality of water entering the aquifer.

The City and their associates have many management activities as well as ongoing studies and evaluations of the land, wildlife, vegetation, and water quality.

The City and their associates do not manage and/or maintain the trail system.

Here are a few of the items that are used in the various studies:
• Rebar located a few feet off the trail
• Trail delineators. Devices associated with trail impact studies used to monitor the trail tread width and alignment in sensitive areas to deter encroachment into native plants detect potential issues related to water    quality before they can impact local tributaries/streams
• Tee Posts used to mark areas for plant studies.

Please do not remove, relocate and/or damage any of these or other items on the property…..if you would like more information pertaining to the purpose of these items please contact the Austin Water Utility’s Wildland Conservation Division.

As trail users, we are all stakeholders of this property and, therefore, we are all responsible for the trail systems management and maintenance. It is our responsibility to maintain the trail and not interfere with the many studies being done by the City and their associates.

As stakeholders, when we use the trail system, we must ensure that we remain on the trail. Also as Stakeholders of the trail, if we witness other trail users getting off the trail, it is our responsibility to inform and educate those persons of proper trail etiquette so that we do not lose the privilege to use this land that many of us have worked long and hard to shape into a public multi-use trail system.

Please Note:
• The gate automatically opens and closes.
• Follow the access times to avoid getting locked inside the property.
• When the gate is closed, the trail is closed.

As with all public lands there are rules that must be followed and the WQPL’s are no different.

TRAIL RULES: ENTERING THE TRAIL IS YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF AND A WILLINGNESS TO OBEY THE TRAIL RULES.

Please note that failure to follow trail rules can result in fines and citations for trespassing and such incidents will result in closure of trail to all users.

Thank you for your cooperation in protecting these sensitive lands.
• Hours of operation: Dawn (7am) to Dusk (7pm), 7 days a week – No Pets Allowed.
• Please remain on marked trails at all times. This is to ensure that land is preserved and protected for good water quality. Do not attempt to create new trails or explore the tract on your own.
• Trail traffic is two-way. Hikers and Horses go one direction, Bikes go the opposite direction. Bikers yield to hikers and to horses. Hikers yield to horses. Horses have the right-of-way.
• Temporary closures may occur for the following reasons:
o1) In the event of heavy rain,
o2) During preventative maintenance activities either on the trail or on the tract,
o3) When threats to public safety may be present.
• Access points. Please enter and exit only by established trail head(s). Access to WQPL’s in other areas or creation of social trails is strictly prohibited and is considered criminal trespass.
• Children must be accompanied by an adult and should be supervised closely at all times.
• Pack it in. Pack it out. No trashcans are available. Take out whatever you bring in.
• Please limit groups to 6. If you have a larger group, please split up into smaller groups.
• Emergencies – Call 911, and provide address: 9901 FM 1826. If possible, designate someone to meet emergency responders at gate.
• Crime in progress – Please call 911 and report your location and the specific vandalism or damage.
• For existing damage to the trail, please contact the trail steward at arrprez@yahoo.com
• Horse manure in parking lot or staging area shall be disposed of offsite by riders/owners.
• For educational opportunities, volunteer activities or special events, contact: City of Austin’s Wildland Conservation Division

Entering the trail is your acceptance of and a willingness to obey the trail rules. This trail was built and is maintained by volunteers of the Austin Ridge Riders Mountain Bike Club and Austin Metro Trails and Greenways, with assistance from other volunteers, under a special agreement with the City of Austin.

SITE RULES PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES:
• Leaving the marked trail
• Alcohol consumption
• Smoking
• Glass containers
• Fires of any kind
• Fishing, hunting, and trapping
• Access with motor vehicles
• Weapons possession or usage, including paintball guns
• Swimming or wading
• Access with pets (Seeing-eye dogs need special approval.)
• Collecting of plants, artifacts and/or other natural resources
• Startling or scaring wildlife – no feeding of wildlife
• Camping FACILITIES:
• No picnic facilities on site
• No water available - Please carry enough for you and your horse(s).
• No permanent restrooms on site – porta-johns only
• Parking – allowed in designated spaces only. When lot is full, the trail is at capacity. Please come back later.
• Leave no Trace – Take out what you bring in.

THE SLAUGHTER CREEK TRAIL HAS BEEN APPROVED AND ACCEPTED BY THE CITY OF AUSTIN FOR PUBLIC USE. IT IS NOW OPEN FOR YOUR WATER QUALITY PROTECTION EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE AND ENJOYMENT.

Fee:No Fee for this public access trail.

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McKINNEY FALLS STATE PARK

Directions: 183 South towards Lockhart. 'Bout 1.5 miles past Hwy 71 turn right on McKinney Falls Parkway. Park entrance is about 3 miles on the right.

Trail Description: Easy / Intermediate. The McKinney Falls Homestead trail is an easy three mile loop across the creek from the parking area. Most of the trail twists and turns through the woods and then climbs up the hill to the back side of the park. There is a fun little whoop-de-do and a quick downhill run back to the creek. Most people ride counter-clockwise starting at the homestead, but this trail is NOT one way. This is a good trail for kids and beginner riders but has enough twists and dips to still be fun for the quicker intermediate riders. This is the trail ARR uses for the Kid Trips program and there are always hikers in the park so yield the trail to slower users. Upstream from the Upper Falls take a right turn off the paved path onto the singletrack that runs along Onion Creek. This trail follows the creek to a lava flow. Cross William Cannon on the Longhorn Pipeline easement, cross the creek for five more miles of trail in Onion Creek District Park and Greenbelt.

Contact Information: 512-243-1643.

Fees: Kids 12 and under are free. All others $3.00 per day. For Camping Reservations at all state parks call 512-389-8900 (M-F 9a-6p)

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ONION CREEK TRAILS

Directions: From East William Cannon go south on Pleasant Valley Rd. Take the first left onto Onion Creek Drive and follow the road until it dead ends near a play ground.

Trail Description: Easy to intermediate. The main trails follow Onion Creek up stream and are on both sides of the creek part of the way. The
trailhead is down the hill from the playground. This part of the trail follows a service jeep road near an old pit area, horse stables,
and several creek crossings. There is single track next to the creek, in some Ares on both sides. The pit area on the north side of the creek offers some jumps and BMX type stuff along with a maze of trails to the west to Boggy Creek. On the south side there is single track and more double track, all of which is primarily used by the nearby horse stables. Remember bikes yield to horses and all other trail users.

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SAINT EDWARD'S PARK

Directions: Take Spicewood west from 360. Look for a parking lot on the left after bridge #5. Yes, they are numbered. There is room for one or two cars near the sign, the parking area is around the curve from the sign.

Trail Description:There are two main parts to this trail - the singletrack near the creek and road side, and the 'climb' and singletrack trails on the hill.  The roadside/creekside stuff is pretty flat and simple - nothing technical or hard.  The 'climb' is an excellent challenge - a rocky, 8% average elevation gain over ~ 7/10ths of a mile. Once at the top,  you can take the singletrack down and enjoy the crossing the gully and the view from the ridge.  Repeat that loop a few times each week, and you'll be a climbing fool before you know it.

Fee: No fee for this public access trail

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MULESHOE BEND

Directions: Take Highway 71 west past the Pedernales River. Approximately 2 miles past the Pedernales River turn right on Paleface Ranch Road. Continue on Paleface Ranch Rd. (go straight at the 3-way stop) until you get to Co. Rd. 414; this road tees into the road you’re on from the right and there are several fine landmarks to help find it, including a sign on the left for the Exxon/Kountry Kitchen, Windemere, and the George Jones Donkey Farm (no kidding). Turn right on Co. Rd. 414 and this road will end at Muleshoe, about 2.8 miles later. The road really curves a lot, but just stay on it and you’ll get there.

Trail Description: The Muleshoe trail is a perfect complement to the trails we already enjoy in the Austin area. It is a 7.5-mile loop trail with 95% wooded singletrack with some moderate climbs and descents, a few drop-offs, lots of twists and turns, and a couple of small creek crossings…. oh, yeah and a nice big lake to cool off in after the ride. The fact that it makes a big loop with jeep roads intersecting at 5 points along the trail makes it nice for beginners and families who might not want to complete an entire loop and provides good access to the trailhead/parking area. And for the intermediate/advanced riders, its a trail you can go fast on and have a lot of fun. (Watch out for feral hogs—they’re out there!)

This trail is a wonderful example of what can happen when mountain bikers work in partnership with land agencies combined with persistence, organization, and of course, a lot of hard work. As usual, a relatively small group of dedicated volunteers have made this trail a reality.

Fee: $5 entry fee per vehicle.

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PACE BEND PARK

Trail Description: The newest mountain bike trail in the Austin area. A variety of loops for the beginner to intermediate rider. 6.5 miles of new single track built by the Austin Ridge Riders combined with 8 miles of legacy equestrian and hiking trails. Limestone ledges, rock gardens, some steeper climbs, lots of challenging trail features. A great destination for camping, lake recreation and mountain biking. Race venue for the TMBRA Spring Championship series and host site for the 2009 IMBA Trail Care Crew Trail Building School.

Directions: Pace Bend is approximately 30 miles west of Austin on Lake Travis. From the intersection of RR 620 and Hwy. 71, take Hwy. 71 west 11 miles to RR 2322 (Pace Bend Park Road). Turn right on RR 2322 and travel 4.6 miles to the park entrance

Fee: $10 per vehicle.

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BLUFF CREEK RANCH,

Located in Warda, Texas, this is an all round great place to ride and visit. All the details maybe found at http://www.bcrwarda.com/ If it has been rainy call first to check for trail conditions and/or closure.

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PEDERNALES FALLS STATE PARK

Directions:Take 290 west past Dripping Springs to FM 3232. Turn right on FM 3232 to the 'T' intersection at FM 2766. Turn right and follow the signs to the park entrance.

Contact Information: 830-868-7304. For Camping Reservations at all state parks call 512-389-8900 (M-F 9a-6p)

Fees: Kids 12 and under are free. All others are $4.00 per day.

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ROCKY HILL RANCH

Directions:The ranch is located in Smithville, Texas. Take I-35 South to Hwy 71. Go east on 71 towards Bastrop. Continue through Bastrop to Smithville Texas. Take the loop 230 exit and then turn left under 71, at this point you'll be on FM 153. Go 2.3 miles on FM153 and you'll see the gate on the left. (There are some old bikes hanging on a pine gate.)

Description: You name it, they've got it, all levels, all lengths

Contact Information:Call 512-633-8778 for riding or camping information, or check out their website.   Rocky Hill is open Friday through Sunday, 7:00 a.m. till dark, noon to dark on Thursday for mountain bike riding.

Fee:$6.00 per day to ride. If the Saloon is closed, please use the honor box.

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GOODWATER TRAIL AT LAKE GEORGETOWN

Directions:

Take I-35 north to exit 261A, Lake Georgetown/Sun City/Andice/Granger/2338/Williams Dr. Turn left on Williams Dr. Go about 6 to 6.5 miles.
For the Jim Hogg entrance, look for the brown sign that says "Jim Hogg park" and follow it to the end.
For the Russell park entrance, go left on CR 3406 then go about a mile and turn left on CR 262. Follow this straight to the park. Park on the right after you enter the first gate BEFORE the attendant's gate.

Trail Description: The Goodwater Trail at Lake Georgetown consists of 16.5 miles of established trail and 4.25 miles of new trail with more currently being built. The trail runs around the shoreline of the lake and has trailheads at four of the five parks. A hiking only trail starts at Cedar Breaks Park on the south and east side of the lake; this section runs west for 11 miles to Tejas Park. From Tejas Park, the trail crosses the river at a low water crossing and runs back east for 5.5 miles to Russell Park.

The trail consists of easy doubletrack with little elevation change to rocky, technical and sometimes tight singletrack with lake views, cacti, and even a switchback. Parking at Tejas and Russell Parks is free as long as you don't go past the attendant's gate.

The newer section at Russell Park starts off to the left of the first park road on the left as you enter the park.  The southern trail is being evaluated for repair/reroute options and will eventually be open to biking. When completed, the Goodwater Trail will promise over 25 miles of mountain biking. If you are interested in helping build this new trail, contact the Austin Ridge Rider Mountain Bike Club trail steward Dewayne Buratti (512-797-RIDE).

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REIMERS RANCH

Directions:

Get on Highway 71 heading West out of Austin. Take a left at the first light after the 620 intersection - this will be Hamilton Pool Road, also known as TX3238. Continue on Hamilton Pool Road for approximately 11.7 miles. If you get to Hamilton Pool you've gone too far. Watch for the turn for Reimers Ranch on the right. Note that the driveway and medium sized green sign is obscured by a tree as you come over the hill. The road into the ranch is about 2.5 miles of unimproved dirt road with some bumpy stretches, so take it slow and easy.

Trail Description: 18 miles of trails - 95% singletrack. Trails are one-way and marked for novice (green circle), intermediate (blue square), and expert (black diamond) riders. Bring adequate amounts of water, as no drinking water is available on the trails. What you can do: ride your bike, rock climb, fish, swim. What you cannot do: ride without a helmet, ride in wet or muddy conditions, litter, camp or bring pets. The ranch is open for riding daily from sunrise to sundown.

Fees: $8.00 per vehicle.

BLORA

(Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area)

Directions: From I-35 in Belton take HWY 190 to West Loop 121. Take loop121 north to Sparta Road. Turn left on Sparta road and follow FM 439. Cross FM 439 and follow to BLORA entrance on right. Proceed to the Trailblazer MTB Park on the left, look for signs.

Trail Description:
The trail system is designed to accommodate riders of all skill and endurance levels from the first timer to the advanced racer. The trail system was developed using some existing jeep roads and trails with several miles of new singletrack added. It includes downhills, climbs and tight trails winding their way through dense foliage. Trail length is 4 to 10 miles.

Fees: Use fee is $6.00 per rider or a family membership is available for $30 for all year.

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