Many of us run and walk the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail, formerly known as the Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail, and we see trails myseriously branching away from the main path. Most of us never venture off to see what these branch trails are all about. One of these shoots off the Lady Bird Lake Hike and Bike Trail is the Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail.
The Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail runs north and south near Lamar Blvd between Cesar Chavez and 38th Street. It is tucked into the lush green spaces along Lamar Blvd. Though it is still a little damaged from the summers storms and flooding, this trail is a delight to travel.
The Trail begins at Cesar Chavez between Lamar Blvd. and San Antonio Street. The Trail heads north as a point to point trail and according to the City of Austin it is 4.6 miles one way. From Cesar Chavez the trail connects to Pease Park continues on to 38th Street. The trail is green and many sections are shaded. The section from Cesar Chavez to Pease Park is a little broken up and secluded, but if you like a mild adventure it is a good way to get almost lost in a very familiar place. There are sections of the trail where you find it hard to believe you are in Downtown Austin.
A particularly unique part of this trail is the section just south of 31st Street. This section shoulders rock cliffs on one side and Shoal Creek/Greenbelt on the other. During warmer months this section tends to be a little cooler and a welcome oasis during a run or walk.
Along the Trail you'll also find: playgrounds, a disc golf course, pull up bars, sand volleyball courts, and lots of trees. I guess that is why they call it a Greenbelt.
Is it time to round out your trail experience? Give the Shoal Creek Hike and Bike Trail a try. For more information, the City of Austin keeps maps and mileage statistics on the City's trails at this web address: http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/parks/traildirectory.htm. Edward Tasch, Map Maker Extraordinaire, made this Adobe pdf version of the Trail back in 2005, http://www.runtex.com/shoalcreek_2006.pdf.
Other Trails:
