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San Marcos, Texas

Looking for the best hiking in San Marcos? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around San Marcos. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Hiking Spots in and near San Marcos

  • Austin, Texas

    Hike the Western Oaks Trail

    1.74 mi / 49 ft gain
    The Western Oaks Trail is a 1.7 mile trail located in the Legend Oaks neighborhood in Southwest Austin, Texas. The trail is looping however there are several interconnecting trails which can shorten or lengthen the duration of the hike. The trail is mostly flat and made of crushed gravel. It is p...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike the Homestead Trail

    4.0
    3.1 mi / 157 ft gain
    The Homestead Loop hike is a 3.1 mile loop featuring the Lower Falls of McKinney Falls State Park. The hike is pretty intermediate and is mostly shaded. There are not many inclines. It is both dog- and kid-friendly. The trail does cross small streams, so be weary to bring water shoes/sandals.  Th...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike Onion Creek And Homestead Trail Loop

    5.0
    6.5 mi / 387 ft gain
    The Onion Creek and Homestead Trail Loop is a 6.5 mile loop hike within McKinney Falls State Park, just outside of Austin city limits. The trail is long however pretty beginner level as there are not many inclines. The trail features two waterfalls: the Upper and Lower falls which are popular swi...
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  • Travis County, Texas

    Hike Violet Crown Trail: Zilker to 360 Trailhead

    3.0
    3.7 mi / 282 ft gain
    The Violet Crown Trail: Zilker to 360 is 3.7 mile out-and-back stretch through the Barton Creek Greenbelt. The trail begins in Zilker Park and follows Barton Creek all the way south to Loop 360. Parking can be found at Zilker Park. Though on weekends and during the summer time, the park is usuall...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Three Falls Hike

    7.35 mi / 600 ft gain
    The Three Falls Hike is a 7.35 mile out and back hike located in the Barton Creek Greenbelt in Austin, Texas. The hike is heavily trafficked. The trail takes you past three waterfalls, which during the summer time serve as extremely popular swimming holes. Please note that the flow of the waterf...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls via Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail

    3.0
    3.23 mi / 141 ft gain
    This hike is about 3.2 miles in total and is an out-and-back trail found within the Barton Creek Greenbelt stretch. The trail follows along the Barton Creek and is popularly known for the two major waterfalls it entails: Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls, which are very popular swimming destinations...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike the Violet Crown Trail: 360 to 290 Trailhead

    1.8 mi / 239 ft gain
    The Violet Crown Trail: 360 Trailhead to 290 trail is a 1.8 mile point-to-point hike that stretches from Loop 360 to Highway 290. Only a portion of the trail follows alongside Barton Creek before heading south towards HWY 290 while the creek veers off to the west. Dogs are more than welcome as lo...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike Barton Greenbelt Trail Via Barton Creek Plaza

    6.6 mi / 380 ft gain
    The Barton Greenbelt Trail via Barton Creek Plaza is a 6.6 mile out-and-back hike located within the Barton Creek Greenbelt. This trail follows along the creek and features a couple prominent waterfalls that also serve as popular swimming holes in the summer months. Depending on the rainfall for ...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Rock Climb at Gus Fruh

    0.5 mi / 50 ft gain
    NOTICE:For this activity it is necessary to have someone with lead climbing and belaying expertise. There is a wide range of difficulties on the routes. A guide that has climbed at this wall before is recommended. GETTING THERE:You can enter Gus Fruh from a couple of different points starting in ...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Swim at Gus Fruh

    4.0
    0.26 mi / 79 ft gain
    The trailheads are located in neighborhoods and parking isn't really too much of an issue. The shortest entrance is located off Barton Hills Dr. A quick google search and you will find it and the labeled trail. You walk down into the Barton Creek Green Belt and your spirits are uplifted. That cra...
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  • Barton Creek Greenbelt: Trail 11, Texas

    Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail via Spyglass Trailhead

    5.0
    3.03 mi / 128 ft gain
    Outside of the fantastic job market, one of the most magical things about Austin is how quickly you can go from city life to being immersed in nature. Nearly every day, I take a quick jaunt down to the Barton Creek Greenbelt with my trusty companion, Sage the Chocolate Lab. We live within walking...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike Hill of Life Hiking Trail

    4.5
    3.1 mi / 328 ft gain
    The Hill of Life hiking trail is an out-and-back hiking trail around 3 miles long total. Parking is parallel parking on the street and can be found in the neighborhood where the trailhead is located. The trail begins with a half mile descent down a very rocky and gravel-ridden trail. The descent ...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Sculpture Falls

    4.1
    2.23 mi / 577 ft gain
    Sculpture Falls is a hidden gem that is part of the 7.9 mile long Barton Creek Greenbelt in Austin. It's considered an urban oasis and is part of the Edwards Aquifer making the water temperatures in the summer about 70 degrees, and is a perfect way to cool off in the Texas heat! To find the trai...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Catch a Sunrise at the Look Out Point

    0.1 mi
    This look out point is less than a quarter mile hike and is located within the Rollingwood neighborhood, just west of Loop 1 (Mopac Expressway). It faces east and is a great location for catching sunrise. The trail to the overlook is crushed gravel, but is very flat. This overlook is kid- and dog...
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  • Austin, Texas

    Hike along Lady Bird Hike & Bike Trail

    10 mi
    The Hike and Bike Trail around Lady Bird Lake provides great views of the city skyline from several different perspectives. It's perfect for exercising or just taking a stroll on. It's about a 10 mile looping trail however there are several points in which you can cross the river and make the loo...
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  • Garfield, Texas

    Hike the Southeast Metropolitan Park Primitive Trail

    4.0
    2.17 mi / 223 ft gain
    The Southeast Metropolitan Park Primitive Trail is a quick 2.3 mile hike, perfect for families, hikers, and trail runners. This trail is dog friendly, and is open for use year round. This hike is lightly trafficked, so this is a great place to go if you are looking for some solitude. 
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