Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail

The Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail, named for a former Austin mayor and his wife, is a natural gem in the heart of the Texas capital. The scenic trail follows the banks of Lady Bird Lake, a reservoir on the Colorado River, and is bookended by two major recreational areas: Zilker Park on its western end and Guerrero Park on its eastern tip. The lush, tree-lined path also provides access to Lamar and Waller Beaches. A unique highlight of the trail is its passage under the Congress Avenue Bridge, home to thousands of bats that canvas the sky at sundown during the summer months. In the late spring of 2012, construction will begin to close a 1.1-mile gap on the trail's south side, uniting its east and west halves and avoiding a diversion along busy East Riverside Drive. A series of bridges over the water will be included in the new riverside boardwalk.

Parking is a available at the west end of the trail at Zilker Park and Butler Park.