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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
Directions/Access points:
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
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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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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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