Wild Texas Forums: Parks, Travel & Recreation - View Single Post

Shannon · 07-06-2005, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carlosh30

Hi I recently moved to texas, and I'm looking for parks with biking and hiking trails in the san antonio area, I'm just looking for something easy to relax,

can anyone help me?

First off, welcome to WildTexas.com! Your question comes at the perfect time, since Justin and I are long-time hikers and newfound cyclists, and we live in San Antonio!

Here are some of the areas you should check out, and I'm sure others here will offer additional suggestions. If you haven't already, do check out the San Antonio Area Parks listing here on WildTexas.com for more information!

All of the following offer hiking and biking opportunities, though to varying degrees -- for example, the Mission Bike Trail is more for cyclists, runners and walkers than hikers, whereas the other parks are equally suitable for hiking and biking.

Within San Antonio

McAllister Park --
25+ miles of paved trails to intermediate mountain bike trails; highly recommended!
O.P. Schnabel Park --
20+ miles -- some paved trails; mostly intermediate & some beginner, mountain bike trails
Misson Bike Trail --
18+ miles, mostly paved trail & street riding, taking you by all of the Spanish Missions in San Antonio Missions National Historical Park
Brackenridge Park
Government Canyon State Park -- Not yet open to the public, except for special guided events and various groups, on request (hiking/biking/birding clubs, etc.)
Guadalupe River State Park --
Tried this one on the bike recently; better suited to hiking or intermediate bikers -- LOTS of large rocks on much of the 6+ mile multi-use trail

Near San Antonio

Hill Country State Natural Area in Bandera --
36+ miles of beginner & intermediate/advanced trails; most of the trails are open to bikers. All trails are open to hikers and equestrians.
McKinney Falls State Park in Austin --
3.5 mile hike & bike trail, several other short hiking trails plus park roads
Pedernales Falls State Park in Johnson City --
20 miles of hiking and biking trails, as well as a hiker-accessible river access and waterfalls (when water level's permit)
Bastrop State Park & connecting Buescher State Park --
Austin-area parks are linked by a narrow 13-mile two-way road; no bike trails at either park but plenty of park roads to travel

These are just some suggestions. Austin's just an hour away from San Antonio and has a vibrant outdoor recreation and cycling community (it did even before Lance Armstrong), so there's a whole host of other hiking and biking opportunities there that I haven't mentioned, since I haven't visited many of them myself. Too many places, too little time, and all that... :rolleyes: