Step into spring on a wide variety of hiking trails
By TONYA WARREN | Photos by BECKY STINEHOUR and COURTESY PHOTOS
Longer daylight hours, warmer temperatures and sightings of brightly colored wildflowers dotting fields and roadways means one thing: spring has arrived in Texas.
There are only a few good weeks of warm, not hot, weather, so get out and hit the trails for some sunshine and fresh air. Our great state offers a variety of hiking trails only an hour or two driving distance from the house.
Hiking can help lower blood glucose as well as cortisol levels which in turn can help keep us physically healthy. Also, hiking has been associated with lower stress levels. Additionally, the National Park Service website notes walking in nature improves cognitive function and memory, and just five minutes walking in nature improves mood, self-esteem and relaxation. Granted, that yard work is calling your name, and that closet won’t clean itself, but go ahead and lace up your sneakers and hit the trail.
Big D hikes
Dallas is more than just urban sprawl with eye popping skyscrapers and impressive shopping centers anchoring every intersection. About 20 minutes from downtown Dallas is Cedar Ridge Preserve. A sprawling area of 633 acres located in southwest Dallas,this jewel of an outdoor space is managed by Audubon Dallas and enjoyed by many locals as well as visitors in search of some green space.
Various trails emerge in Cedar Ridge offering something for everyone. The Escarpment Trail is a little less than a mile and starts out flat later descending to Cattail Pond. Enjoy some nice birdsong before ascending back up. Rated moderate in intensity, this popular trail gets crowded on spring weekends.
Possumhaw Trail is a 0.8-mile trail loop and another moderate level hike. Although there are sections of stairs on this trail, hikers are rewarded with canopied shade, colorful springtime flowers and the occasional sighting of bunny rabbits.
Coming in at just over a mile hike, Bluebonnet Trail is another crowd favorite in the spring. Enjoy nice views from the overlook tower and don’t forget to try your luck spotting different bird species at the bird blind. Oh, and the bluebonnet flowers on this trail are so thick and lovely you’ll appreciate being a Texan once again.
White Rock Lake in Dallas boasts over nine miles of trails for all types of outdoor enthusiasts. Centuries old oak trees, eastern redbud, pecan and other varieties offer respite from the predictably warm spring and summers. Relatively flat and paved trails make this Dallas favorite popular with folks in strollers and wheelchairs. With trail width approximately 12 feet, pedestrians and road bikes share the trail comfortably and safely.
Need a break from hiking? Shoreline benches are available to enjoy mallard and wood ducks gliding peacefully along the water’s edge. Scampering squirrels and pigeons hoping for a small bit of bread add light moments on your peaceful trek around the lake. Taking in the golden-kissed fading Dallas sunlight from this trail is a memorable way to end your hiking adventure.
Waco area
Not in the mood for traveling far to enjoy a nice spring hike? Waco’s Cameron Park offers 26 miles of hiking trails for just about any level of hiking aficionado. Hiking inside the lush tree-lined trails and limestone rock area you forget you’re in the middle of the city.
The trails are marked skill level, so green, blue, black, and double black trails are easy, moderate, difficult, and expert, respectively. Trails are open to hikers, runners and mountain bikers, so being vigilant to others is key to a safe and fun time on these trails. Wooded areas, riverbanks and 100-feet bluffs offer a nice scenery change for those enjoying this Waco gem of a park.
Located between Waco and Moody is Mother Neff State Park, one of our earliest state parks. Land donated by Isabella Neff in 1921was developed into park land by the Civilian Conversation Corps of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal program. These men constructed trails and structures in hundreds of parks across the United States.
While not the largest park to enjoy a springtime hike, there are three and a half miles of easy to more moderate hikes available. Visitors will enjoy native prairie grasslands and abundant wildflower showings. Of special note at this park there are two all-terrain wheelchairs for guests with disabilities to enjoy some trail time.
Available in both adult and junior size, these manually operated wheelchairs come equipped with seatbelts, all-terrain mountain bike tires and chains, a foot strap and sturdy back handles should the rider be accompanied by a visitor. Check out the Mother Neff Park website for more chair specifics and reservation information.
Belton’s backyard
Family-friendly trails are located not far from your front door. Located north of Lake Belton Dam and Spillway is Miller Springs Nature Center. Over ten miles of trail with nice shady portions and scenic bluff views of the Leon River make for a pleasant time outdoors. Nature will reward you with a lovely little waterfall at trails’ end. Look for scampering white-tail deer. Need a quick in-and-out hike? Located on the Lampasas River on the other side of the dam of Stillhouse Hollow Lake is the 2.5-mile Chalk Ridge Falls trail. A slight ascent gives a nice workout and the path alternates between paved and rocky terrain. The footbridge and steep steps add a bit of excitement when crossing the creek. Stay the course and you’ll be rewarded with crystal blue waterfalls.
Austin strides
Don’t let Austin’s urbanism scare off planning a nice day of hiking in our lovely capital city. Lady Bird Lake trail is a 10-mile loop trail winding through downtown with access points along the way for those wanting shorter hikes. This wheelchair friendly trail is mostly flat and paved terrain. Shade trees canopy trail sections and the trail is plenty wide to accommodate both pedestrian and bike traffic. Lazy turtles sun themselves along the shoreline, and ample benches along the trail offer rest time for wildflower gazing.
Winding through South Austin is the Barton Creek Greenbelt trail. Enjoy beautiful birdsong while hiking through lush forest foliage and commanding limestone cliffs that easily dwarf outdoor enthusiasts. This moderately challenging trail consisting of rocky terrain with ascent makes this trail command a hiker’s careful attention. The main trail is about 7.5 miles long and hikers can enjoy the full 15-mile round trip with many access points for convenience. Don’t miss the hike to Sculpture Falls and Twin Falls where you can dip toes in the cool water.
San Antonio trails
Who doesn’t love a trip down south to the Alamo City? Need a break from the crowds or to walk off that hot plate of bubbling Mexican food? If so, head to Greenway Trails, a 20-year-old network of trails with plans for future expansion. The paved path, which is wheelchair and stroller accessible, consists of over 50 main trailheads offering convenient access. Scan the greenspace while hiking, and you might be lucky enough to see a wild turkey strutting along the path.
The Mission Reach Hiking Trail is both a fun and educational trek along the San Antonio River. Unlike the crowded downtown San Antonio Riverwalk, this trail connects all missions which remain active parishes where weekly services are held. The distance between each trail is about 2.5 miles, and most of these trails offer minimal shade. The stroller and wheelchair pedestrians appreciate the paved pathways.
Know before you go
Stay on marked trails. Bring a full water bottle, sunscreen and mosquito repellent. Wear a hat. Watch out for snakes on the trail and in rock crevices. Have a charged phone and be aware of your surroundings. Most trails require dogs to be leashed and remember to take bags to clean up your dog’s waste and dispose of waste properly. Remember, some trails may be closed due to recent rainfall and uncleared trail debris. Check the trail website before heading out for any special alerts or information. Oh, and we won’t tell anyone about that garage or closet. Just enjoy the nice weather.
