Your Guide to San Antonio Hike and Bike Trails
When you want to stretch your legs and explore the city, head to one of these hike and bike trails in San Antonio.
When people think about walking around San Antonio, they likely picture the often crowded River Walk. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of hike and bike trails waiting to be discovered, like the whopping 84 miles that make up the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails System. So grab your gear and let’s get started!
Friedrich Wilderness Park offers approximately 10 miles of hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty. It is home to rare birds, terrestrial orchids, steep hills, and deep canyons. It is internationally known for bird watching. Perched on the edge of the Balcones Escarpment, Friedrich is a nesting site for two federally listed endangered species of birds: the Black-capped Vireo and the Golden-cheeked Warbler. Restrooms and water fountains are found at the entrance to the park. Visitors are encouraged to bring water bottles for longer hikes in warm weather. In order to protect this wilderness area, it is important to observe the rules of the park. To protect the habitat of endangered species, pets, fires, and smoking are not allowed. Pedestrians only, no rollerblades, skateboards, scooters, or bicycles.
The Headwaters Sanctuary is widely revered as a beautiful, quiet, historic sanctuary at the headwaters of the San Antonio River, with the Blue Hole spring as its centerpiece. Headwaters is free and open to the public. Walking trails invite exploration of the Sanctuary and connect it to adjacent parks and natural areas. The river is connected from its historical source at the Blue Hole to the southernmost Mission, Mission San Francisco de la Espada. Interpretive signs and educational programs reflect on the area's ecology, hydrology, history, and prehistory. The Sanctuary is a haven for native plants, animals, and city-weary souls.
Dwight D. Eisenhower Park is a 420-acre park containing excellent examples of Hill Country landscapes, including wooded dry creek beds and rocky canyons. In addition to over 6 miles of paved and unpaved trails, the park features a reconstructed observation tower at 1,280 feet, offering a stunning view of downtown San Antonio. Pets are allowed on leash, but be prepared to remove any droppings your pet may leave. Barbecue and picnic facilities are available. No rollerblades, scooters, or bicycles are allowed, and hikers are required to stay on designated trails. To help preserve the health and beauty of this sensitive natural area, please do not disturb the plants, rocks, or animals.
This beautiful hike and bike trail takes you to four historic missions in San Antonio. One of them, Mission Concepción, is the oldest unrestored stone church in America. The wide trail can get a bit crowded, and it is more of a walk than a hike. Electric bicycles are also available to rent at some of the missions. This is the perfect place to take a stroll through history, and some people like to add The Alamo to their trip and walk approximately 3 miles to see it. The trail can also take you across some interesting wooden bridges and to Concepcion Park. Dogs are allowed, just make sure to keep them on a leash.
Hiking and biking along the Greenway trails are great ways to get fit and enjoy the outdoors. There are over 50 major trailheads and neighborhood connections to access the trail system around the city. The four major segments of the Greenway are the Leon Creek Greenway, the Salado Creek Greenway, the Westside Creeks, and the Medina River Greenway, each offering several miles of uninterrupted trails. In addition, the Greenway trails connect dozens of local parks and consist of approximately 1,600 acres of creek-side open space and natural areas.
Part of the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trail System, known locally as The Greenway, this trail is a great spot for bikers or even rollerbladers looking for a well-kept cement trail. San Antonio’s former mayor, Howard W. Peak, wanted to make trails along some of the city’s creeks. Funding began in 2000, and since then, these trials have grown immensely in popularity. If you’re looking for a less crowded spot, head slightly west to Cathedral Rock Park. While it used to get a bit of a bad rap, it’s since been remodeled, and lighting has been added to the paved trails, so it’s a great place for a bike ride.
There are 7.5 miles of trails throughout the park that are open to bicycles. The trails on the Blanco Road side of the park connect to the Salado Creek Greenway trails, which are another 14.5 miles. You could bike from Phil Hardberger Park to Fort Sam Houston and only cross traffic a couple of times. There are many options to explore, like the Geology Trail, Oak Loop, Savanna Loop, and Water Loop Trails.
Pearsall Park has 505 acres for the public to enjoy. If you’re looking to train for a 5k, this area has the only public running course that doesn’t cross streets. There’s plenty to do here, like a dog park and a skate park, but the main draw is the Pearsall Trailhead, which has markers along the path, rest areas, and trail options that are suitable for beginners. It’s paved concrete as well, making it an easier option than more rugged terrain, and it also makes for smooth biking. There’s a bit of shade along the trail, which is a must during the warmer months. If you want to head off the trail, there are large open fields to explore.
San Antonians can hike or bike nearly 40 miles of the uninterrupted trail after a connection was recently formed between the Leon Creek and Salado Creek Trails. A trailhead at Eisenhower Park merges the two separate sections. It’s incredibly popular amongst bikers, but hikers enjoy it as well. On the Salado trail, you can find Medicine Wall, an 80-foot limestone cliff for climbers. If you go east of Phil Hardberger Park, you’ll come across the Morningstar Boardwalk, a 3,400-foot boardwalk near the area’s wetlands. There are multi-use recreational trails along this section of the Greenway, and they’re perfect for exploring.
Head north of the city, and you’ll find McAllister Park, a 976-acre spot that’s perfect for biking and hiking. The park can get a bit crowded because it offers so much to the community, from playgrounds, picnic tables, dog parks, and soccer and baseball fields. But if you’re looking to hit up some of the best hike and bike trails in San Antonio, McAllister Park has four trails: Blue Loop, Mud Creek Trail, Salado Creek Greenway North, and Baseball Field Trail. Be aware, though, that some of the signage can get confusing, so you’ll want to make sure you’re prepared with plenty of water. For example, while the Mud Creek Trail runs about 1.5 miles, the Blue Loop Trail stretches for 6. In total, the park has five miles of asphalt trails and more than 10 miles of unpaved nature trails.
Guadalupe River State Park is located along the boundary of Comal and Kendall counties. The state acquired the property from private owners in 1974. The park opened in 1983. The clear-flowing waters of the Guadalupe River bisect the park. Ruggedness and scenic beauty characterize this slice of the Texas Hill Country. Explore 13 miles of hike and bike trails. Trails range from the 2.86-mile Painted Bunting Trail to the 0.3 Mile River Overlook Trail, which leads you to a scenic overlook of the river. Protect yourself and our river ecosystem by staying on designated marked trails.
GOVERNMENT CANYON STATE NATURAL AREA
When you hit the trails at this 12,000-acre natural area, you’ll be following in some pretty big footsteps—dinosaur footsteps, that is. Though great care must be taken to preserve these footsteps (you shouldn’t touch them), they are incredible to look at. With more than 40 miles of trails, this is an outdoor lover's paradise. They’re perfect for biking, hiking, and trail running, and they cross over smooth grassland and more rugged terrain. There are even sections that are just for hiking. If you want a great view, hike to the Chula Vista and Sotol overlooks. Make it a family outing by bringing the kids to explore the Discovery Trail and take advantage of the camping opportunities.
If you’ve ever been curious about a wildlife bridge set up to protect animals from crossing roadways, then make your way to the Tobin Land Bridge and the Skywalk. The Skywalk slopes calmly up 18 feet off the ground and stretches 1,000 feet in length. Because the bridge is 6 feet wide and not steep, the entire Skywalk is ADA accessible. While you can’t ride a bike across the Skywalk, you can walk it over the land bridge, which allows for a safe way to get across the bustling traffic of Wurzbach Parkway. The Land Bridge itself is 150 feet wide and around a half-mile away from the major nearby parking areas, making it an easy walk, but it also creates a connection to 7.5 miles of trails.
SAN ANTONIO RIVER WALK HIKE & BIKE PATH
Though walking along the river might seem like a crowded tourist activity, the trail is actually 30 miles long. You can walk from the San Antonio Zoo all the way to Mission Park. You can also stop by The Pearl, which has space to walk and bike around. While some parks and trails may have specific hours, the River Walk is open 24/7. One of the best things about the River Walk is that it's also technically a public park, and it’s visited by over 14 million people each year. The path also connects to many other San Antonio hike and bike trails, as well as Concepcion Park and the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park.
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