We hiked the entire length of the Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail--and back--on July 4, 2008. Two in our party were completing their requirements for the BSA hiking merit badge and Eagle rank, which calls for a 20-mile hike in one day. Point to point, the Barton Creek Trail is about 15 miles, but with some added walking in Zilker Park, and a sidetrail we managed to log 20. (Except for the Zilker park mileage, none of the trail is paved.) The weather was better than expected, with the high reaching only into the mid-90s (could be worse!) and a bit of a breeze. We started at 8:15 a.m and ended at about 6:30 p.m., with a long break for lunch. Most of the trail is well shaded by the canopy near the creek, and remained 10-15 degrees cooler than if we had been in the sun. Still, remember to pack all the water/Gatorade you will need as we saw no sources of potable water until we reached Zilker. Very little water was running in the creek: mostly none at all, but at a couple of places the springs created enough of a pool to attract swimmers. Many trail bikers and other hikers (almost all with their dogs!) were out on this holiday weekend, including families with young children. We saw three groups of rock climbers on the cliffs beside the trail. Our route began at the northernmost access point, in a neighborhood off Loop 360/Capital of Texas Hwy. There is no designated parking at this access point, only street parking in the neighborhood--bless those patient homeowners! The path down to the creek from the access road is fairly steep and rocky, which we found a challenge to climb on the return leg. Our halfway point was in Zilker Park, at the Barton Springs Pool. There are restroom facilities there and it made a good lunch spot. (We had left a car there with a cooler for lunch). All in all, a very good hike. Only when you are directly under the 360 bridge or the MoPac/Hwy 1 bridge do you have any sense that you are in the city. It is quite remote and the closets and best wilderness getaway in Central Texas.

"We visited Texas in September 2001 and joined the trail at Barton Creek in Zilker Park. It is a beautiful area. The ride is linked to the City Lake Bike/Hike Trail and it seemed the trail was long, crossing over the river under road bridges and overpasses offering parking to those who know the area. The trail was marked with mile markers. The surface for the most part is paved. We enjoyed it and also the dip in Barton Spring to cool down. I highly recommend it."