Explore the best rated trails in Donna, TX. Whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the West Rail Trail and Historic Battlefield Trail. With more than 10 trails covering 46 miles you're bound to find a perfect trail for you. Click on any trail below to find trail descriptions, trail maps, photos, and reviews.
I spent the last years on the Board of the Rails to Trails Conservancy. My husband and I have ridden trails all over the country….some shaded, some not, some asphalt, some not, some thru quaint towns, some thru the middle of nowhere and more. In each and every case we stopped to learn more about where we were and the “story” behind the trail or the journey along the trail. By doing so our ride was enriched and we “saw more”, “felt more”, and “took away more.” The Battlefield Trail is in Deep South Texas on the Mexican border. It is called the Battlefield Trail because it takes the rider/walker along the same path that the soldiers took during the Mexican American war. There were 3 battles fought along the trail and the Americans won. There are 3 National Park/Historic spots on the trail to mark this history. In essence the trail tells the story of how we became who we are and how this region became America instead of Mexico. What it lacks in shade it overflows with segments of the original pockets of the Rio Grande, birds galore who live here and migrate thru here (we are a major fly corridor), and a stunning collection of flowering cactus (if you visit at the right time of year). If however you do not know this you might simply see a flat area with sparse shade. At it’s southernmost end you begin at Fort Brown and it’s earthen wall ruins, ride thru downtown (our downtown has more historic intact buildings than any other city in Texas except San Antonio), up the Mitte Cultural District (visit the Farmers Market on Sat) where you can stop at a great coffee shop or check out the Gladys Porter zoo. Keep going and you will see several small lakes (we call them resacas) and plenty of swan, heron, and more. Continue to the far north and you can ride into the National Park and learn the history while you spot the famous nilgae (Asian antelope) in the brush. All in all a full ride with history, nature, culture and plenty of selfie spots! The next day you should check out the West Rail Trail on the west side of town from Palm Blvd to the Flea Market. Brand new after a 10 year struggle to acquire the right of way…..green and interesting! Worth a 35 min drive from SPI……absolutely positively!
This is a straight old rail trail. It is well maintained and well-protected at crossings. Passes many cultural and historical sites and one view over a resaca (old river channel of Rio Grande) is stunning at sunset. Not sure what some other reviewers expected in the coastal plains and river delta of south Texas. There are coffee shops, a bike shop, river scenes, National park service park, tons of bird watching, a beautiful university campus with river features and beautiful architecture But yeah. Nothing to see here. ;)
After reading a couple of the other reviews was not expecting it to be nearly as nice as it was. This, in my opinion, is a beautiful trail. it runs mostly thru residential and urban areas. There are several "rest stops" on the trail as well. There are a couple areas where the trail passes construction zones or houses where the residents do not keep their yards nice but what can you do in this case.
I have ridden several trails across this great country and if this one is not scenic for the area its in, I don't know what would be. You can't expect a Grand Canyon view without the Grand Canyon. This is exactly what it should be in south Texas, a nice clean trail, fully paved and perfect for the area.
My only wish is that there were more 10+ mile long trails to ride in the general vacinity. One other review said not worth the drive from South Padre. We stayed on Padre and the drive was 38 minutes one way to get to the trail, again, what more could you ask for.
If you’re looking for a nice walking path (on a sidewalk), this is it. We accessed it from Burton Drive (see picture). Most of the path goes along the canal. The first 2/3 of this walk is a nice setting. After E 30th Street, (toward the end of the path), the path goes right along the backs of houses where are there are some large loud dogs in fences.
Rode the entire trail today. Nice trail some mud from recent rain. It’s a paved trail but could use some TLC
Mostly along the road. Could use an occasional outhouse
A bit confusing to follow leaving downtown area near the campus but if you follow the map it works pretty well. Flat, uncrowded trail.
This may not be the most "scenic" trail, but the scenery does match the area. Well protected & separated from traffic. One single overpass to cross at north end, otherwise totally flat.
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