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Austin, Texas

Looking for the best chillin in Austin? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Austin. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Chillin Spots in and near Austin

  • Austin, Texas

    Three Falls Hike

    7.35 mi / 600 ft gain
    The Three Falls Hike is a 7.35 mile out and back hike located in the Barton Creek Greenbelt in Austin, Texas. The hike is heavily trafficked. The trail takes you past three waterfalls, which during the summer time serve as extremely popular swimming holes. Please note that the flow of the waterf...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike Hill of Life Hiking Trail

    4.5
    3.1 mi / 328 ft gain
    The Hill of Life hiking trail is an out-and-back hiking trail around 3 miles long total. Parking is parallel parking on the street and can be found in the neighborhood where the trailhead is located. The trail begins with a half mile descent down a very rocky and gravel-ridden trail. The descent ...
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  • Travis County, Texas

    Hike Violet Crown Trail: Zilker to 360 Trailhead

    3.0
    3.7 mi / 282 ft gain
    The Violet Crown Trail: Zilker to 360 is 3.7 mile out-and-back stretch through the Barton Creek Greenbelt. The trail begins in Zilker Park and follows Barton Creek all the way south to Loop 360. Parking can be found at Zilker Park. Though on weekends and during the summer time, the park is usuall...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike the Homestead Trail

    4.0
    3.1 mi / 157 ft gain
    The Homestead Loop hike is a 3.1 mile loop featuring the Lower Falls of McKinney Falls State Park. The hike is pretty intermediate and is mostly shaded. There are not many inclines. It is both dog- and kid-friendly. The trail does cross small streams, so be weary to bring water shoes/sandals.  Th...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Relax at McKinney Falls

    4.0
    McKinney Falls is separated into the Upper and Lower Falls along Onion Creek just 15 miles outside of Austin. The pin I dropped on the map gets you to the parking lot at the Upper Falls. From there it is a very short walk past the Smith Visitor Center to the falls. The upper falls offers some sha...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Watch the Sunrise at Highway Scenic Overlook

    This spot is located right off of the North Capital of Texas Highway (Loop 360) on the west side of Austin. It faces east and is perfect for catching the sunrise over the city or just overall chillin'. It provides easy and accessible parking. It's a popular spot for sunset and sunrise. There are ...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Photograph Pennybacker Bridge (Austin 360 Bridge)

    4.3
    0.5 mi / 75 ft gain
    If you're looking for excellent views of hill country, the skyline, or just an awesome place to watch the sunset this is the place to be. If you're heading southbound from 183 on 360 just before you reach the bridge there will be a dirt parking lot on your right. There are trailheads on the easts...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Stephenson Preserve Loop

    2.17 mi / 243 ft gain
    The Stevenson Preserve Trail is a 1.5 mile loop hike located in South Austin. The outer trail makes a large loop around the entire park, however there are several interconnecting trails within the loop. This trail system is part of the Stephenson Preserve, which is also connected to the Longview ...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Turkey Creek Trail

    2.72 mi / 259 ft gain
    Turkey Creek trail is a 2.7 mile out-and-back hike located within Emma Long Metropolitan Park in Northwest Austin, Texas. This trail is perfect for cycling, running, walking, and general exercise. The trail is made of dirt with few inclines. Please note, however, at the beginning of the trail the...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike Valburn South Loop

    1.0
    2.3 mi / 334 ft gain
    The Valburn South Loop is a 2.3 mile loop trail within the Bull Creek Greenbelt in Northwest Austin, Texas. The trail is known for its grand views of the surrounding Hill Country. The trail is shaded for the most part and is pretty rocky, good shoes are highly recommended. The trail is made up of...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Take a Stroll on the Dick Nichols Park Trail

    1.09 mi / 16 ft gain
    The Dick Nichols Park Trail is a 1 mile loop neighborhood park trail located in Southwest Austin. The trail is completely flat and is entirely paved. It circles the park and is equally shaded and exposed. It's very kid-friendly and perfect for walking the dog, biking, trail running, hiking, and e...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike Lost Trail

    1.5 mi / 52 ft gain
    Lost Trail is a 1.3 mile loop hike through the Upper Bull Creek Greenbelt in northwest Austin, Texas. The trail features a beautiful waterfall, an abundance of wildlife and wildflowers, several benches, and many beautiful scenes. During the wet season, the creek fills up and flows very nicely. T...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike Mary Moore Searight Park Trail

    2.1 mi / 65 ft gain
    The outer loop trail at Mary Moore Searight park is 2.1 miles and is interconnected by several smaller trails, which can be used to shorten the length of the hike. The trail is relatively easy with very few inclines and declines. The trail is mostly very thin crushed gravel and great for an easy ...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike the Great Hills Park Trail

    2.31 mi / 127 ft gain
    The Great Hills Park trail is a 2.3 mile point-to-point nature trail found within the Great Hills neighborhood of Northwest Austin. The trail is perfect for cycling, hiking, or just for taking a regular walk. The hike features a multitude of wildlife and is primarily shaded. There are several bat...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike the Little Fern Trail

    0.5 mi / 140 ft gain
    The Little Fern Trail is a 1.9 mile out-and-back hike that is a part of the River Place Nature Trail. It is perfect for hiking, walking, running, and biking. The trail is open for use year-round and is easy to follow, with lots of small, side waterfalls and lush greenery scattered along. The tree...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike Walnut Creek Metro Loop

    4.0
    8.8 mi / 534 ft gain
    Walnut Creek Metro Loop is an 8.8 mile loop hike located within Walnut Creek Metro Park in north Austin, Texas. The trail is moderately hiked and relatively easy. It's great for walking/running/cycling. There are many smaller trails that connect portions of the main loop and it's easy to get conf...
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