10 Incredible Hikes Under 5 Miles Everyone Around Austin Should Take

Have you been feeling bored lately? Are you in need of something new and fun to do? Look outside! You may find the great outdoors to be quite the entertaining hotspot in Austin (and the areas surrounding the city as well). Sometimes, taking a short trip away from home is good for you, and breathing fresh air is always a good idea. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best hikes in Austin all under five miles long that everyone ought to do at least once. If you have been searching “5-mile hike near me,” look no further! These are such great choices on this list that you will definitely find a new favorite. You can pick a shorter one if you’re just trying out hiking, or choose a longer one if you’re searching for your next major adventure outside. Check out the best hikes near Austin with your family and friends and you are sure to stay entertained all year long.

Longhorn Cavern State Park, 6211 Park Road 4 S, Burnet, TX 78611, USA

Visit Longhorn Cavern

This trail is 1.2 miles long in a vast, 650-acre nature preserve. Longhorn Caverns State Park is also definitely worth exploring; it's one of the best hidden gems in Texas. The beauty of this place will blow you away as soon as you arrive!

Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, 24518 Ranch Rd 1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654, USA

Flickr/mikeabney

Cactus Rocks Trail is 3.6 miles long and is known to be a very pleasing hike for bird watchers. What is more relaxing than the pleasant sound of bird songs ringing through the trees? There are other hiking trails within Balcones Canyonland worth a day trip, too! Be sure to check them out because you are sure to love them!

Advertisement

Gus Fruh, 2642 Barton Hills Dr, Austin, TX 78704, USA

Flickr/Soul_Smiling

The Greenebelt is a place where all Austinites frequent. It has great scenery and may prove to have difficult single-track hiking. If you are a more experienced hiker looking for a new and exciting challenge, then this is the spot for you! Come see why this is one of our favorite scenic hiking trails near Austin!

Bastrop State Park, 100 Park Road 1A, Bastrop, TX 78602, USA

Flickr/MilesBintz

This hiking trail loop is 3.3 miles long and wanders right through the heart of Bastrop State Park, including a trek through Copperas Creek. You will be amazed by all of the stunning sights along the way.

Berry Springs Park and Preserve, 1801 Co Rd 152, Georgetown, TX 78626, USA

Flickr/_dai_

This trail is 1.3 miles long, and you get to stroll through the 1,100 pecan trees that you'll encounter along the way. Where else can you find a unique experience like that? This beautiful little park near Austin is one you won't soon forget.

Enchanted Rock, Texas 78643, USA

Flickr/Frank Fujimoto

This trail is 1.4 miles long. Explore the solid pink granite dome with parts of the trail going up 425 feet in elevation in just half a mile. This is one of our favorite geological wonders in Texas. It is definitely one-of-a-kind and lives up to its enchanted name.

Blunn Creek Nature Preserve, 1200 St Edwards Dr, Austin, TX 78704, USA

Flickr/Soul_Smiling

This trail is 1.5 miles long and is right across the street from St. Edwards University. Be careful, parts of this trail are quite steep and rocky! It's also worth noting that the Blunn Creek Nature Preserve itself is awe-inspiring, and you might want to take some time to explore it while you're there. Blunn Creek Nature Preserve is a good choice for those who want to spend a nice, long, refreshing day in the great outdoors.

Advertisement

Canyon of the Eagles - A Calibre Resort, 16942 Ranch Rd 2341, Burnet, TX 78611, USA

Flickr/jarrelj

This trail is 2.9 miles long and explorers can enjoy pristine countryside and lake views while wandering along the way. Consider this one of our favorite places to go camping in Austin, too. There is nothing like waking up to nature all around you.

Palmetto State Park, 78 Park Rd 11 S, Gonzales, TX 78629, USA

Flickr/Joseph Arellano

This trail is 2.18 miles, where you can explore bluffs and wooded wetlands. Palmetto State Park isn't so bad, either. You will want to explore it all!

Pedernales Falls State Park Nature Trail, Texas 78663, USA

Flickr/Matt Peoples

This trail is 3.8 miles long. Pass by cedar woodlands, scrubland, and valley vistas. The variety is awe-inspiring. This stunning walk is one of the best hiking trails near Austin and it is a jaw-dropper for sure.

It is always a great day to go for a hiking adventure near Austin. Whether you prefer venturing out in the summertime when the kids are out of school or in the cooler months when you can enjoy a crisp breeze, there is never a wrong season to get outside and enjoy the beautiful nature around our hometown of Austin. There is a trail that is suitable for everyone, so get ready to enjoy the great outdoors regardless of your experience level. If you are newer to treks on trails, we are willing to bet that any of these lovely places will make you want to continue with your new hobby and come back to see them again and again.

Which of these Austin hiking trails are you going to choose? Have you gotten to explore any of them already? If so, we would love to hear about your adventures in the comments section. When you go, don’t forget to pack water and snacks, because you know how hot it can get without notice! And if you are looking for some great benefits while you learn about new trails to explore, check out AllTrails+.