Explore the best rated trails in San Marcos, TX, whether you're looking for an easy walking trail or a bike trail like the Johnson Creek Hike and Bike Trail and Austin to Manor Trail . With more than 47 trails covering 268 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.
If you’re entering from the trailhead in the Woods of Westlake Heights neighborhood, be prepared for a relentless hike down (and back up again) a rocky decent that seems to go on for a good half hour. Bringing lots of water is required for sure and wear comfortable shoes. The water was quite low at Sculpture Falls and was just sitting still as a mere puddle. No one was there. It was just hot and dried up. More towards the middle between the trailhead and Sculpture Falls we found a nice place that had running water and a baby waterfall. It was so nice! But yeah, once the trail evens out after the rocky decent, it is a lovely hike with lots of trees and wildlife (birds and little lizards, etc.). We only ventured as far as Sculpture Falls and back.
I walked this trail while visiting Austin and was not disappointed. Great views and several people which made me feel safe in an unfamiliar area.
Cyclists ringing their bells at me when I’m already on the far right is SO irritating! It IS noise pollution!!! Don’t ring hell’s bells at pedestrians who are already on the proper side of the trail!
I can’t say enough about this great trail. I rode it in early February 2025 on a perfect Texas day. It’s wide, scenic, and smooth. It might be a bit busy on the weekends. I highly recommend checking this trail out. I rate it a strong 5 stars! Traveling cyclist Facebook
I rode the Mission Reach in early February 2025 on a gorgeous Texas day. This trail is super and a testament to the trail building San Antonio has done. I highly recommend checking this trail out. I give it 5 stars! Traveling cyclist Facebook
I rode the Medina River Greenway in early February 2025. I started at the NE end after it connected from the Riverwalk. I only made it just a bit past Mitchell Lake. I hope to return to ride the entire trail soon. What I saw of the trail I give 5 stars! Traveling cyclist Facebook
I rode this trail in early February on an 85° day. I enjoyed it very much. I noticed a few homeless on the trail. 5 stars Traveling cyclist Facebook
I happened upon this nice connector trail. It’s a very enjoyable ride away from traffic. 5 stars! Traveling cyclist Facebook
The Salado Creek Greenway is another gem in San Antonio. I discovered it at Eisenhower Park and rode to the south end of the north section. I tried to ride to the south section of the trail but I turned around and drove to Jack White Park to do the south section. Superb trail! Five stars!! Traveling cyclist Facebook
The Leon Creek Greenway is a super nice wide paved trail through the woods. It’s curvy and hilly. It’s one of the nicest trails I have ridden. I envy the people who live in San Antonio for the wonderful trails here. FIVE stars! Traveling cyclist Facebook
Although labeled as separate trail called "Austin to Manor" here, most local cyclists start at Govalle park in Austin and consider this the northern end of the Southern Walnut Creek trail. This section is not as pretty as the sections closer into to town but it is commonly used by long distance cyclists who start in Austin and ride out to Elgin and Coupland. There are a couple of special concerns on this section. First, as ride along Daffan ln, note that you will cross the driveways of a couple of residential communities. Residents tend to be aware that the bike path crosses the entrance of the community but be cautious of cars that may be coming in or out of these driveways as you ride past. Second, use extreme caution when crossing Decker lane (FM 3177). This is a highly traveled road with many heavy trucks driving at high speed. There is a light and a crosswalk so just use the crosswalk button. Third, this path uses concrete "plates" with expansion joints rather than continuous asphalt. Many of the plates have become misaligned vertically between Decker and Lindell so be careful that you don't hit one of these when you are not paying attention or you may loose control or even get a pinch flat if you hit one hard enough.
* 2024 Update. There is now a new 3 mile extension of this trail. When you reach the end of the path at Lindell ln, you will see a new path that continues east. This path will take you about 3 miles into a small non descript park in the city of Manor called "Ben Fisher" park. The new extension follows the rail road tracks, is very nice (5 stars) well marked. The pavement is generally smoother than Southern Walnut Creek. There are a few sections where you have to cross major streets but they are much easier to cross than Decker lane. The path goes underneath SH 130 so crossing the tollway is not a problem. Please note at the time of this update, the new path doesn't yet appear on Google maps. On Ride with GPS, it's labeled as "Austin to Manor Trail". Once you reach the park in Manor, there is a convenience store a short distance away (.5 miles) but you'll need to take a few neighborhood streets to get there.
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