If you enjoy biking, hiking, or riding horses in Texas, then here is a list of some of the best Texas trails for hiking, biking, or equestrian use. We would welcome your feedback on Texas hiking, biking or horse trails that you enjoy. We have also included Texas Outside’s and other companies trail ratings of the Texas trails. We welcome your feedback and reviews – contact us.
Best Places in Texas for Hiking, Biking, and Horseback Riding |
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Barton Creek GreenbeltAustin Rated – 5 |
7.9 Miles |
A treasure hike/bike – sheer cliff walls, lush vegetation, and popular swimming areas. Baron Creek Greenbelt has some very technical and one of the most strenuous climbs in the state
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Turkey CreekAustin Rated – 4 |
2.5 Miles |
Easy walk thru the trees along Turkey Creek |
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Bastrop Rated – 4 |
Very nice trails in the State Park and a 13 mile road ride on Road 1Cto Buescher State Park
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95 Acres |
The Lost Pines Nature Trails Project is a multi-phase project to develop recreational biking and walking trails on a 30 acre tract of land along the Lower Colorado River
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McKinney Roughs Nature ParkBastrop |
Variety of trails through rolling hills, trees, and along the Colorado River
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Muleshoe Bend Recreational AreaSpicewood |
6.5 Miles
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Riders of all experience levels can enjoy the trail and significant portions of the bike trail are shaded.
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Ride through the beautiful canyon lands of the Colorado
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Violet Crown TrailAustin |
 14 Miles
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This is a six-mile route that begins in Zilker Park and goes through the Barton Creek Greenbelt passing swimming holes and limestone crags that are perfect for climbing. Outside Magazine ranked it as one of the best trails in the world.
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Bentsen-Rio Grande Valley State ParkBentsen-Rio Grande Valley |
4 Miles |
Paved roads dedicated to biking, hiking. Take an easy ride around the park and get a glimpse of some amazing birds and other wildlife.
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Dome TrailBig Bend Ranch State Park |
4 Miles |
A rocky roller coaster ride sporting arroyos, jeep tracks & hilltops.
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Fresno Canyon-Sauceda Loop TrailBig Bend Ranch State Park |
Parts of the trail are single track while others incorporate abandoned mines, ranch ruins, and archaeological sites.
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Marufo Vega TrailBig Bend National Park |
14 Miles |
Wonderful views resembling a mini Grand Canyon
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Lost MineTrailBig Bend National Park |
4.7 Miles |
Magnificent views of Casa Grande peak
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Window TrailBig Bend National Park |
4 Miles |
A narrow slot in the canyon wall at the top of a 200 foot dropoff is at the end of this trail
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South Rim TrailBig Bend National Park |
13 Miles |
Selected by Backpacker Magazine as #9 in America’s Best Day Hikes with views through the eyes of a falcon
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Big Bend 100Big Bend Ranch State Park |
100 Miles |
A ten-day self-supported cross-country trek that links existing paths, dirt roads, sandy arroyos! Creek beds, ancient rock art, the 7000 foot Chisos Mountains, the Rio Grande River, Mexico, and lots of stunning desert and mountain views.
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Horse Trap TrailBig Bend Ranch State Park |
5 Miles |
Varied terrain, difficult and not well maintained
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Encino TrailBig Bend Ranch State Park |
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Rancherias TrailBig Bend Ranch State Park |
20 Miles |
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Contrabando TrailBig Bend Ranch State Park |
11 Miles |
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East Main TrailBig Bend Ranch State Park |
55 Miles |
55 miles round trip on easy to difficult, remote, and challenging terrain with elevation changes (1100 feet) and temperature extremes
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Llano LoopBig Bend Ranch State Park |
5.5 Miles |
Appropriate for families |
Oso LoopBig Bend Ranch State Park |
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Wichita Falls Hike TrailWichita Falls |
The Wichita Falls hike and bike trail is a great ride for cyclists and will only get better as it evolves toward a complete circuit around the city. The longest complete stretch of the existing trail is 14 miles. The projected complete circuit will be on the order of 35 miles. Most of the trail is well maintained 10 ft wide concrete. A real north Texas gem. |
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Bonham State ParkBonham |
7 Miles |
Some of the trail surface here is loose broken rock, but a lot of it is dirt, especially the areas under the dense woods
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Canyon of the EaglesBurnet |
14 Miles |
A variety of trails with lake views, nesting eagles, plenty of wildlife, and more
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Choke Canyon State ParkCalliham |
18 Miles |
The area’s terrain ranges from eroded, gently rolling brush land to rugged and rocky areas that provide habitat for a variety of wildlife.
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Cedar Hill State ParkCedar Hill |
12 Miles |
DORBA trail was built by mountain bikers for mountain bikers. Over 1200 acres of prime mountain bike landscape are crisscrossed |
Cleburne State ParkCleburne |
6+ Miles |
Beautiful scenery with a variety of challenges for all experience levels
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Rocky Ledge LoopCooper Breaks State Park |
.5 Miles |
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Juniper Ridge Nature TrailCooper Breaks State Park |
.5 Miles |
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Bull Canyon TrailCooper Breaks State Park |
9.5 Miles |
Alternates between old ranch roads and narrower, rocky sections and exhilarating descents for the more experienced riders
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Dallas TrailsDallas |
A map of the various trails in the Dallas area | |
White Rock Creek TrailDallas Rated – 4 |
7.5 Miles |
Very nice paved trail along a creek and through the trees– leads into White Rock Lake Trail
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3.5 Miles |
Great paved trail from SMU to the West End and will eventually connect to the Trinity Strand Trail and Whiterock Lake trail
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White Rock Lake TrailDallas Rated – 4 |
11.1 Miles |
Great paved trail that circles White Rock Lake |
Elm Fork Nature PreserveCarrolton |
1 Mile |
This 40-acre ecosystem offers wooded trails for hiking and some of the features include a pond, Interpretive Center, guided hikes, and classes.
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River Legacy TrailArlington |
Fun, Fast and Full of Surprises, this trail is guaranteed to send you home w ith a grin from ear to ear.
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Over 40 miles of trails that meet near downtown Fort Worth and run North to the historic Stockyards, South to Benbrook, West to Fort Worth Naval Air Station and East to Riverside Park and the trails pass by the Botanic Gardens, the Cultural District Museums, the Zoo, and over 20 other city parks.
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Frisco CommonsFrisco |
2 Miles |
Flat paved paths that cross lakes and wooded areas — Best Design award in 2005 by Texas Recreation and Park Society
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Spring Creek ForestGarland |
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Not uncommon to spot coyotes, bobcats, and foxes on this trail
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Guadalupe PeakGuadalupe National Park |
4.2 Miles |
Mentioned by Backpacker Magazine as one of America’s Best Day Hikes — climbs 3000′ for views of New Mexico and Mexico
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Lots of different trails to ride — along creeks, through the trees, up and down hills, very scenic – some of the most difficult trails in the State
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Huntsville State ParkHuntsville Rated – 5 |
Great hike/bike trails through the campsites and around the lake
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Pedernales Falls State ParkJohnson City |
40 Miles |
Over 40 miles of great hiking, biking, or riding trails
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Lajitas Golf ResortLajitas Rated – 4 |
75 Miles |
Over 25,000 acres to explore on horseback, bikes, or hiking plus a fantastic resort and spa with golf, ATVs, white water rafting, and more
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Trinity TrailLake Lavon |
9 mile trail along the shoreline of Lake Lavon | |
CrossTimbers Back Country TrailLake Mineral Wells Rated – 2.5 |
Wide multi-use trail that is mostly flat and relatively boring. The last section is the best part and winds up and down some moderate hills and is much prettier.
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Lake Front TrailLake Mineral Wells Rated – 4 |
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Pilot KnollLewisville Lake |
8 Miles |
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LLELA Nature PreserveLewisville Lake |
4 habitats, lots of birds and wildlife | |
Elm ForkLewisville Lake |
6 Miles |
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Ray Roberts GreenbeltLake Ray Roberts |
10 Miles |
Excellent family cycling along the Trinity River on this compacted limestone trail
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9 Miles |
Great trail — through the woods, by the lake, with lots of ups & downs. Hard ride
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Rocky Point TrailLake Grapevine |
3 Miles |
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Crosstimbers Horse TrailLake Grapevine |
5 Miles |
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Knob Hills TrailLake Grapevine |
4Miles |
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Walnut Grove TrailLake Grapevine |
10 Miles |
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Very nice walk up and down some hills around Lake Meridian
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Onion CreekMcKinney Falls State Park |
3 Miles |
Paved trail that winds around the campground and along Onion Creek
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Smith Rock Shelter TrailMcKinney Falls State Park |
.75 Miles |
Interpretive trail |
Homestead TrailMcKinney Falls State Park |
3 Miles |
Moderately strenuous dirt trail — very pretty
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Brazos Bend State ParkNeedville |
21 Miles |
Hike and bike trails are located around 40-Acre, Elm and Hale Lakes and interconnect.
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Possum Kingdom LakePK Lake |
5 Miles |
Outstanding, five foot wide natural trails through timbered terrain with panoramic views that takes mountain bikers or hikers to panoramic views of the lake atop a large hill. It will eventually connect with 20 more miles of nature trails yet be be constructed.
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Arbor Hills Nature PreservePlano |
3 Miles |
Paved paths for walking and 2.2 miles for off-road biking |
Caprock Canyons State ParkQuitaque |
64 Miles |
A 64 mile abandoned railway bed that was converted to a trailway
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Johnson Park TrailRay Roberts Lake State Park – Isle du Bois Unit |
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Elm Fork TrailRay Roberts Lake State Park – Isle du Bois Unit |
3.5 miles |
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Center Loop TrailRay Roberts Lake State Park – Johnson Branch Rated – 3 |
Paved trail that runs through the woods and campground | |
Dogwood CanyonRay Roberts Lake State Park – Johnson Branch Rated – 4 |
Varies from easy trails through the woods and along the lake to very challenging rides for advanced bikers
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Galatyn Woodland PreserveRichardson Rated – 3 |
1 Miles |
Paved tails through the woods and along the creek |
Trail by the RailRichardson |
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Paved trail along the Dart rail |
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15 Miles |
Heavily wooded trails on gently rolling terrain and along the Medina River
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Buescher State ParkSmithville |
12 MIles |
The scenic, 12-mile-long, winding, and hilly, paved road between Buescher and Bastrop State Parks is ideal for biking
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Dana Peak TrailsStillhouse Hollow Reservoir Rated – 4 |
Variety of trails and some great views | |
Chalk Ridge Falls ParkStillhouse Hollow Reservoir Rated – 5 |
Easy and fun hike – kids should like most of it | |
Blackjack Nature TrailTyler State Park
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Tyler State Park TrailTyler State Park Rated – 5 |
Great dirt trails up and down the hills and through the trees
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20 Miles |
Twenty mile, 10′ wide crushed limestone trail that is flat and winds gently through remote farm and ranch land. This trailway was the Texas & Pacific Railway track that winds through remote farm and ranch lands.
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Here are some popular hiking trails in Texas:
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Cross Timbers Trail, Dallas, TX
- Trinity Trail, Dallas, TX
- Four C Trail, Longview, TX
- Grapevine Lake, Ft. Worth, TX
- Lost Maples, San Antonio, TX
- Enchanted Rock, Austin, TX
- Barton Creek, Austin, TX
- Guadalupe Peak, Salt Flat, TX
- Little Lake Creek Wilderness, Huntsville, TX
- Big Creek, Huntsville, TX
Click here to view all of the hiking trails in Texas according to Trails.com. Their list of the best biking trails in Texas includes:
- The Anthills / Terry Hershey Park, Houston, TX
- Northshore Trail , Flower Mound, TX
- Arbor Hills Nature Preserve Mountain Bike Trail , Plano, TX
- McAllister Park Trails , San Antonio, TX
- Memorial Park Trails, Houston, TX
- Boulder Park Trail , Dallas, TX
- Double Lake Park Mountain Bike Trail, Cleveland, TX
- “The Breaks” at Bar-H Ranch , Saint Jo, TX
- Flat Rock Ranch , Comfort, TX
- Huntsville State Park, Huntsville, TX
Other Biking Resources and Information
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MountainBikeTX.com has a very comprehensive list of trails including
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Trails.com – check out their list of the best mountain biking trails in Texas
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Biking in State Parks – this is a great resource for bike trails in state parks in Texas
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If you would like to share your favorite trails, contact us. Thanks for your help.
Author: Mike Sharp
I have a passion for travel and outdoor activities, and now I'm enjoying retired life. I will continue my traveling, golfing, boating, and enjoying life all across the great state of Texas.
