Hill Country Hiking Trails

A woman on a hiking path trail with tall trees surrounding her.

These are the best parks for hiking:

The Hill Country is known for towering limestone bluffs, deep canyons with fern-lined springs guarded by tall bald cypress, and trails that meander through oak, juniper and madrone groves. If you are looking for the best hikes in the Texas Hill Country, look no further than Dripping Springs for easy to moderate hikes and even arduous, thigh-busting treks through some of the most gorgeous scenery in the region. Just 30 minutes from downtown Austin, 3.5 hours or 4-hours from Dallas, Dripping Springs is an easy day trip to experience some of the best hiking in the Texas Hill Country.

Milton Reimers Ranch

This Travis County Park is most notably known for the world class rock climbing but make a day trip out to Reimers Ranch and you’ll find extensive trails for both hiking and mountain biking. Enjoy over 18 miles of trails through the classic Central Texas landscape. With over 5 different trails, and 2,427 acres to explore, Reimers Ranch is an ideal destination to bask in what the Hill Country is known for – rivers, streams and everything in between.

Pedernales Falls State Park

With miles of trails leading to some of the most tranquil spots in the Hill Country, Pedernales Falls State Park offers a real place to get away from it all. There are 7 different trails ranging from a quarter mile loop to nearly a 9-mile trail. Enjoy dramatic rock scenery and scenic vistas, plus ,all over the State Park you can find spots to stop and get your feet wet in the cool springs as well as in the river.

Westcave Outdoor Discovery

One of the most special ecological areas and one of the top places to visiting the Hill Country – because of the delicate habitat, the preserved space falls under certain protections. Hiking is allowed in the preserved space, but hikers headed to the grotto must be accompanied and guided by a master naturalist volunteer or docent. The expert-guided tours take visitors from an arid savanna through a limestone crevice into a sheltered canyon of lush plant life. At the end of the mile-long path, the lush central Texas landscape opens to the most gorgeous 40-foot waterfall that cascades into a beautiful, natural emerald pool.

Hiking is also available in the “Uplands” area of the preserve. Hiking in this area does not require a guide. The trails wind through a dynamic Live Oak and Ashe Juniper savanna that are great for catching a glimpse of native wildlife that inhabit the area. Check Westcave’s website for tour times and prices before you plan your trip.

Charro Ranch Park

Formerly a working ranch, the 64-acre park is now managed by the City of Dripping Springs and includes a handful of trails for walking and biking through a mix of ecological regions. The easy 1-mile loop weaves mostly through savanna grassland and Juniper and Oak woodlands. In the center of the park is a Solstice Circle and Walk of Peace, created by Lucy Reed Hibberd, the original landowner. The Solstice Circle is a great place to enjoy a few minutes of peace and solitude before returning to the well-maintained trails.

Dripping Springs Ranch Park