With the Texas weather finally evening out, it’s time to plan your next bike adventure! Check out these locations next time you saddle up.
MOUNT BONNELL
Spanning 5 acres in Covert Park, Mount Bonnell is the highest point in Austin. Overlooking the Colorado River, you can visit nearby waterfalls and trails. Yes, it's an uphill climb, but that's why some cyclists call it the "Mountain of Youth."
ANN AND ROY BUTLER HIKE AND BIKE TRAIL
Wrapping around Lady Bird Lake is the Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail. You'll find 10 miles of dirt paths, bridges, and a sturdy boardwalk that handles more than 2 million biking and hiking visitors each year.
With many points of entry throughout the trail, you might hit the Holly Shores, where turtles come out to soak in the sunlight. In the evening, Pleasant Valley Road Bridge is the palace to watch the sun setting in vivid colors.
BARTON CREEK GREENBELT
The Barton Creek Greenbelt, featuring 12 miles of trails, is a must-cycle place for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. You can enter at Zilker Park near downtown.
The first mile is relatively flat and wide, before the trail winds into forests covered with trees. Have a mountain bike? Head up to Sculpture Falls and Twin Falls, a few miles to the west.
BOGGY CREEK GREENBELT
Located across from Downs Mabson Fields and around East 12th Street is a stretch of land for biking, hiking, running, and picnicking. The trail spans 1.7 miles, rises 37 feet, and is noted for its greenery, birds, and small wildlife.
COUNTRY CLUB CREEK TRAIL
With both natural and paved surfaces, the Country Club Creek Trail, off Grove Boulevard is a draw for biking. Enter through South Pleasant Valley or the Colorado River Metro Park. The entire trail is under construction, but you can still bike through many open sections.
LANCE ARMSTRONG BIKEWAY
Named for the famous cyclist, the Lance Armstrong Bikeway is a paved, 5-mile trail between East Austin and downtown. Scenic and shady, the trail rolls through downtown’s shopping, bar, and restaurant district, but with Lady Bird Lake to the south, you’ll see a bit of Austin’s natural beauty. The north side gives riders a look at the city’s skyline.
