Discovery Cycle
Best Bike Shop in Austin, Texas
(512) 452 4225
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Places to Ride
Cycling Maps to Austin Streets
Bike routes on Austin city streets are at this link.
Road Routes
Join the Austin Cycling Association for access to their excellent road ride map collection, available on their website.
BMX Racing
Capitol City BMX is closed. Formerly located on RR 620 about 3 miles west of Round Rock, Capitol City plans to reopen at a future site northwest of town. Call (512) 244 0933.
Cycling Trails
Our trail list starts with the easiest course and progresses to more challenging terrain. There's lots to choose from.
Veloway
The Austin Veloway is a winding, paved, flat circuit reserved for bikes and rollerblades. The 3.5 mile way may be cut short for a one mile loop. It is a couple hundred yards south of Slaughter Lane on Loop 1 (Mopac) in far South Austin. It is great for the whole family, even for kids on training wheels.
Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail
The Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail stretches over 10 miles from Montopolis to Deep Eddy with smooth, flat, crushed granite trails. The most popular access is from under the Loop 1 (Mopac) bridge. It is very crowded on weekends. Enjoy easy access to Zilker Park, Deep Eddy pool, and downtown.
Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail
The Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail is similar in quality and ease to the Town Lake trail. The north end of the trail starts near Seton Hospital on 38th Street at Seider's Spring. The trail passes through Peace Park, with its pool, playground, and frisbee golf course. At 9th Street, notice the famous freestyle jumps to the east of the trail. Between 6th Street and Town Lake, the trail may be closed. The trail is about 5 miles long.
McKinney Falls State Park
McKinney Falls has 2 trails good for beginning cyclists: a winding 3 mile paved bike trail suitable for kids and a very winding 3 mile dirt single track. The park is open for camping and sometimes for swimming. It has group cabins. Find the park by driving on Highway 183 south toward Lockhart, along Bergstrom airport, and turning right on McKinney Falls Parkway. Phone (512) 243 1643. There is an entry fee.
Pedernales Falls State Park
Almost 8 miles of trails suitable for beginning mountain bikers curve through the gorgeous Pedernales Falls State Park, which is about an hour from downtown Austin. Call (210) 868 7304. The park is great for family camping, picnicking, swimming, cycling, or hiking adventure. Take Highway 290 west toward Johnson City. Turn right on RR 3232 about 12 miles west of Dripping Springs, and follow it for about 6 miles to the intersection with RR 2766. Be sure to visit the spectacular falls. There is a entry fee.
Bull Creek Park
Bull Creek Park is several parcels along the creek as it runs near Loop 360 between RR 2222 and Spicewood Springs Road. The southernmost parcel is on Lakewood between RR 2222 and Loop 360. Other trailheads are at the Loop 360 bridge over Bull Creek and at the intersection of Spicewood Springs Road and Loop 360.
Walnut Creek Park
Walnut Creek City Park is on North Lamar north of Braker and south of Parmer. The park has almost 10 miles of very nice mountain bike trails. Walnut Creek is probably now a nicer place to mountain bike than the Barton Creek Greenbelt. The park has a play ground and swimming pool.
Barton Creek Greenbelt
Barton Creek Greenbelt's mountain bike trail starts at Barton Springs in Zilker Park and follows the creek for 8 beautiful miles. But the first 2 miles above Barton Springs are very rocky. Beginners may be happier to enter the trail at the Loop 360 entry just east of 360's junction with Loop 1 (Mopac) and proceed north toward Barton Springs. This part of the trail is much smoother.
St. Edward's Park on Bull Creek
St. Edward's Park is about 2.5 miles northwest of Loop 360 on Spicewood Springs Road. Nice trails for children and beginners wind through the meadows near the creek, and an easy trail follows Spicewood Springs Road for about a mile north of the park. On the east side of the park, across the creek, a trail climbs up toward Jester Estates on top of the mountain. Some dangerous trails can be found leading off this upper trail.
Muleshoe Bend LCRA Park
Muleshoe Bend on Lake Travis has about 7 miles of very nice intermediate to beginner mountain bike trails. Expect over an hour travel time from downtown. Take Highway 71 west toward Marble Falls. About 2 miles beyond the Pedernales River bridge, turn right on County Road 404 (Paleface Ranch Road). Then turn right on County Road 414 and follow it about 3 miles to the park. Camping and swimming are available. LCRA park information is (512) 473 4083. There is an entry fee.
Reimer's Ranch
Reimer's Ranch is a private ranch that is one of the best rock climbing areas in the state. Our link is to a climbing website. Reimer's is also a great place to fish, especially during the white bass run up the Pedernales arm of Lake Travis in early spring. Recently the Reimers opened about 7 miles of mountain bike trails. From downtown Austin, take Highway 71 west. Immediately after passing Bee Caves, take a left on RR 3238, aka Hamilton Pool Road. Turn right after about 12 miles at a sign that says "Milton Reimer's Fish Camp." If you reach the Pedernales River, you've gone about a mile too far. Travel time from downtown should be about an hour. There is a modest fee.
Rocky Hill Ranch
Rocky Hill Ranch is a private mountain bike ranch nestled in the lost pines east of Bastrop. Camping is allowed, and Rocky Hill has a honky tonk complete with a restaurant. Some trails are suitable for riders of all levels. Rocky Hill has a heavy duty downhill course and many miles of single-track. Call (512) 237 3112. Travel time from downtown Austin is about an hour. Take Highway 71 east to Bastrop. Stay on 71 until you are almost to Smithville, and turn left on Farm Road 153. Rocky Hill is a little over 2 miles on the left. There is an entry fee.
Bluff Creek Ranch
Bluff Creek Ranch, near charming Warda, is our favorite mountain bike ranch. It is about an hour and a half from downtown Austin. Trails are well built and smooth, winding and rolling over relatively flat terrain. The ranch is great for developing riders. Camping, showers, and other facilities are available. Call (409) 242 5894. To get there, take Highway 71 east to Bastrop. As you near Smithville, go left on Farm Road 153 until it intersects Highway 77. Travel west on 77 to Warda. Just beyond the general store turn right on Owl Creek Road. Bluff Creek is about a half mile on the left. The Warda General Store is a great place to eat. There is an entry fee.
Belton Lake Outdoor Recreation Area
The BLORA mountain bike area is about an hour and a half north of Austin, at Foot Hood. Much of the 9 miles of trail is very challenging. The drive should take a little over an hour from downtown Austin. Take I 35 to Belton. Turn left, or west, on Highway 190 to Loop 121. Take a right on Loop 121 north to Sparta Road, then turn left on Sparta Road and follow it past the intersection with Farm Road 439 to the BLORA entrance. There is an entry fee.
Emma Long Park
Emma Long Park, aka City Park Motocross, is six miles of extremely rough trail suitable for accomplished mountain bikers. There are no facilities. Take a lot of water. Motorcyclists share the trail. From downtown, take Loop 1 (Mopac) to RR 2222. Go left, or west, on RR 2222 to the light at City Park Road. Take a left on City Park Road and another left at Oak Shores. The entrance is to the left in less than a mile. It is about a 20 minute drive from downtown.
Hill Country Natural Area
Hill Country Natural Area is a state park near Bandera, about 2 hours from Austin. Enjoy mega miles of rough mountain biking. Camping is available, but call (210) 796 4413 for reservations. To get there, take I 35 south to New Braunfels. Turn right on Highway 46 to Bandera, and then left on Highway 173. From 173, turn right on RR 1077, which dwindles to a dirt road leading to the park. There is an entry fee.
