The Best Places to Hike in Lakeway, TX
Located about 40 minutes outside of the city of Austin, TX, Lakeway will greet you with winding roads through the hills and beautiful views of Lake Travis. Nestled within the area are the perfect spots to hike to take a breather and surround yourself with nature.
Let's take a look at what makes each of these parks unique hiking spots!
Hamilton Greenbelt
📍 1173 Lohmans Crossing Rd, Lakeway, TX 78734
The Hamilton Greenbelt is a trail system tucked away in Lakeway, TX. While hiking along the Hamilton Greenbelt, you'll come across Hurst and Yapon creeks, small waterfalls, and a pond with lily pads if you follow the signs for "Sailmaster/Waterfall." These little things are what make the Hamilton Greenbelt special.
The trail, which is gravely and flat, is approximately 2.7 miles out and back and takes about an hour to complete. This is also a Texas summer-friendly park because most of it is shaded!
The Top Features:
Well-paved gravel trails
Creeks
Small waterfalls
Biking trails
Bird blind
Overlooks
Hours of Operation:
Daily from sunrise to sunset
Lakeway City Park
📍 502 Hurst Creek Rd, Lakeway, TX 78734
Also within the neighborhoods of Lakeway, Lakeway City Park is a beautiful hidden gem that gives you the best views of Lake Travis. For hiking, there is paved Lake Loop Trail that is almost 1.5 miles long, and it loops around the entire park. You can add the Challenger Trail to your hike for extra mileage, which you can access near the pickleball court or main entrance. These trails are ideal for runners, hikers, or someone who wants to take a relaxing stroll during the day.
With the lake at a healthy level, you can access the water easily from this park! There are several launch points for a kayak, paddleboard, or beach area if you want to swim. And for safety, this park has a section where you can borrow life jackets for adults and kids.
The Top Features:
Playground
Well-maintained trails
Lake Travis views
Picnic tables
Volleyball nets
Baseball field
Basketball court
Dog park
Butterfly garden
Exercise equipment
Hours of Operation:
6 am to 10 pm
Riverplace Nature Trail
📍 8820 Big View Dr, Austin, TX 78730
This hike is known as the most challenging in the city of Austin. With 2,736 steps, River Place Nature Trail is only minutes away from Lakeway, TX. This trail is the place to go if you are looking for an intense hike that takes you through elevation changes (good for backpacking practice). As you make your journey, you'll be so deep within nature that you'll lose the sense of being in the city.
Before you start your hike, you must pay a $10 fee. However, there is no fee outside peak hours (e.g., weekends are high-traffic hours, so there will be a fee). The 3-mile trail is one way only, so you'll have to hike back down or take an Uber back to the parking lot. Please refer to the map above.
As a warning, snakes, like cottonmouths and rattlesnakes, are very much present here. It is essential to stay aware of your surroundings and always stay on the trail. Keep in mind that this is their home. No texting while hiking!
The Top Features:
Pond and creeks
Natural area
Elevated trails
Hill country views
Fishing pier
Hours of Operation:
6 am to 9 pm
Falconhead we Primitive Trail
📍 16109 Rockies Run Summit, Austin, TX 78738
You can easily miss it if you zoom around the area, but once you stop by, you'll be pleasantly surprised by this park. Only ~20 minutes outside Lakeway, you can explore the over 2 miles of paved trails that lead you through the park and into the neighboring area behind the Chick-fil-A.
There is not a lot of shade along the trails, so keep that in mind when walking or running through the park – bring sunscreen and a sun hat.
Overall, this spot is excellent if you are looking for a place to bring kids to play at the playground, for someone to get in a walk after work, have a picnic with friends, or spend time training your dog at the dog park.
The Top Features:
Paved trail
Hours of Operation:
Dusk to Dawn
Find Your Next Adventure in Lakeway, TX
Hamilton Greenbelt, Lakeway City Park, Riverplace Nature Trail, and Bee Cave City Park are all places where you can get outdoors and enjoy nature with friends, family, or solo! Lakeway is such a special place in the Hill Country.
