9 Essential Bike Paths in Austin

Austin's reputation as one of America's most bike-friendly cities is well-earned!

With its mild winters, beautiful scenery and commitment to alternative transportation, the Texas capital offers cyclists an impressive network of trails that cater to every skill level and riding style. 

For residents from the urban core to the suburbs and beyond, these bike paths provide an excellent way to stay active, commute sustainably and experience the city's natural beauty wherever your starting point may be. Whether you're a serious cyclist or a casual weekend rider, here's a guide to some of Austin's most impressive bike paths, with special attention to routes near the city’s most popular residential neighborhoods.

9 popular bike trails in Austin, TX

Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail

Distance: 10 miles (full loop)

Location: Downtown Austin, circling Lady Bird Lake

Bike type: Road bikes, cruisers, hybrids

Elevation change: Minimal, mostly flat with slight inclines at bridges

The crown jewel of Austin's urban trails, the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail (formerly known as the Town Lake Trail) offers a spectacular 10-mile loop around Lady Bird Lake. Perfectly situated for residents of downtown Austin and the 2nd Street District, this trail provides an easily accessible escape from city life without leaving the city center.

The trail is primarily crushed granite with some boardwalk sections, making it ideal for hybrid and road bikes. The recently completed boardwalk on the south shore also offers stunning views of the downtown skyline, which are particularly beautiful during sunset. With minimal elevation change, the trail is perfect for riders of all fitness levels.

Notable landmarks along the route include the Congress Avenue Bridge (famous for its bat colony), Auditorium Shores, Zilker Park and the Pfluger Pedestrian Bridge. Water fountains, restrooms and bike repair stations are strategically placed throughout the trail, making longer rides comfortable and convenient.

What makes this trail unique is its balance of natural beauty and urban accessibility. You'll ride through tranquil tree-covered sections that make you forget you're in the city, then emerge to breathtaking skyline views that bring you right back. For downtown residents, it's an unparalleled amenity that supports both recreational riding and car-free commuting between Austin’s many downtown neighborhoods.

Southern Walnut Creek Trail

Distance: 7.3 miles (one way)

Location: East Austin, from Govalle Park to Johnny Morris Road

Bike type: All types, optimized for road bikes and hybrids

Elevation change: Moderate, with several gentle hills

The Southern Walnut Creek Trail is one of many that represents Austin's commitment to developing dedicated urban bikeways for the city’s residents. This particular 7.3-mile concrete path cuts through the eastern part of the city, connecting multiple parks and neighborhoods while providing a largely car-free riding experience.

The trail begins near Mueller, making it easily accessible for residents of this already-bike-friendly community. Built to Urban Trail standards, the 10-foot wide concrete path accommodates both recreational cyclists and commuters., and while it’s primarily used by road bikes and hybrids, the smooth surface works for everything from racing bikes to kid trailers and more.

What makes this trail special is its immersion in nature despite being in the city. Riders pass through lush greenery, cross bridges over Walnut Creek and can often spot various wildlife including deer, rabbits and common backyard bird species. Notable stops include Govalle Park, Davis White Northeast District Park and the Walnut Creek Sports Complex, and the trail includes several underpasses that eliminate the need to cross major roads, creating a safer, more continuous riding experience.

For Mueller residents, this trail offers both recreational opportunities and a practical cycling route toward downtown, exemplifying Austin's vision for sustainable urban transportation!

Northern Walnut Creek Trail

Distance: 3.2 miles (one way, with expansions planned)

Location: North Austin, from Balcones District Park to Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park

Bike type: All types, optimized for road bikes and hybrids

Elevation change: Moderate, with several extended climbs

The newer companion to the Southern Walnut Creek Trail, this northern section continues Austin's vision for a comprehensive and interconnected urban trail system. The 10-foot wide concrete path winds through north Austin's natural areas, providing a safe corridor for both recreational riders and commuters.

For residents of northwest Austin and the research corridor, this trail offers a practical car-free transportation and commuting option. The wide, smooth surface accommodates all types of bikes, from racing bikes to children's training wheels, and several access points along the route make it easy to join the trail from nearby neighborhoods.

What distinguishes this trail is its integration with Austin's broader mobility network. The current phase connects to multiple neighborhoods and parks, while planned extensions will eventually link to the Southern Walnut Creek Trail, creating a continuous route from north Austin to downtown.

Notable features include the boardwalk sections that traverse sensitive environmental areas and several creek crossings with scenic views. The trail also connects to the extensive mountain biking network at Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park, allowing cyclists to combine paved and off-road riding in a single outing.

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park Trails

Distance: 15 miles of interconnected trails

Location: North Austin, near Yager Lane and Parkfield Drive

Bike type: Mountain bikes, gravel bikes

Elevation change: Varied, with technical sections and elevation gains

Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park houses one of Austin's most extensive networks of off-road cycling trails, with options for every skill level from beginner to advanced. Located in north Austin, these trails provide an accessible natural escape for residents of the area.

The park features over 15 miles of interconnected trails with impressive variety — the blue and green trails offer more accessible riding for beginners and intermediates, while sections of the black trail challenge even experienced riders with technical features, drops and berms. The trail system's design allows riders to customize loops based on their skill level and available time, so you can make it exactly as long and complicated as you want!

What makes Walnut Creek special is its community — it's a popular gathering place for Austin's mountain biking enthusiasts, with regular group rides and a supportive atmosphere for newcomers. The trails are also well-maintained by volunteer groups, reflecting the collaborative spirit of Austin's cycling community.

The park includes open meadows, dense forests and multiple creek crossings, with common wildlife sightings of deer, armadillos and various bird species regularly spotted from the trails. 

Veloway Trail

Distance: 3.1 miles (loop)

Location: Southwest Austin, in Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park

Bike type: Road bikes, racing bikes, hybrids

Elevation change: Moderate rolling hills

Unique in Austin and rare nationwide, the Veloway is a paved circuit built exclusively for cyclists and inline skaters — no pedestrians, no cars, just wheels. This 3.1-mile loop provides a safe, controlled environment particularly appealing to serious cyclists looking to train without traffic concerns.

The track features smooth asphalt with moderate rolling hills, making it perfect for road bikes and those looking to build endurance. The loop design allows riders to customize their distance by doing multiple laps, while the one-way traffic pattern enhances safety.

Situated within the Circle C Ranch area in Southwest Austin, the Veloway is surrounded by native Texas Hill Country landscape, so riders enjoy shade from juniper and oak trees through much of the course, with glimpses of wildflowers in spring. The trail's dedication to natural scenery means you won't find water fountains or facilities directly on the path, so come prepared with your own filled water bottles. 

For those of us in Southwest Austin, the Veloway Trail offers a convenient training ground for cycling enthusiasts without requiring a drive to more remote areas. Its controlled environment also makes it ideal for families with older children and beginner cyclists looking to build confidence before tackling more challenging routes.

Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail

Distance: 13.8 miles (one way)

Location: Southwest Austin, from Zilker Park to Highway 290

Bike type: Mountain bikes, gravel bikes (some sections appropriate for hybrids)

Elevation change: Significant in places, with technical sections

The Barton Creek Greenbelt offers some of Austin's premier off-road cycling experiences with miles of trails ranging from easy to extremely challenging — though all are stunning and well worth the trip.  While primarily known as being a mountain biking destination, the main trail can also accommodate gravel bikes and experienced hybrid riders during dry conditions.

The trail winds alongside scenic Barton Creek, offering numerous swimming holes that provide welcome relief during hot Texas summers. Access points throughout southwest Austin make this trail particularly convenient for residents in many neighborhoods, with the Spyglass entrance offering a good starting point for many riders.

What makes the Greenbelt trail unique is its variety  of terrain and conditions — technical single-track sections challenge experienced riders, while wider paths accommodate intermediate cyclists and beginners. The trail's terrain changes dramatically based on recent rainfall, transitioning from dry, rocky paths to lush, green surroundings after rain.

Landmark features include Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls, popular swimming spots during flowing water periods, and the limestone cliffs that provide both scenic views and climbing opportunities for those looking to combine activities. 

Shoal Creek Trail

Distance: 3.9 miles (one way)

Location: Central Austin, from Lady Bird Lake to 38th Street

Bike type: Hybrids, road bikes, cruisers

Elevation change: Moderate, with some steep but short sections

One of Austin's oldest urban trails, the Shoal Creek Trail follows its namesake waterway from downtown Austin northward for just under four miles, offering a practical north-south route for cycle commuters as well as a pleasant recreational path that connects several central neighborhoods.

Perfect for residents of downtown Austin and the 2nd Street District, the southern portion of the trail links directly to the Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail, creating extended riding options across the city. The surface varies from paved sections to crushed granite and dirt paths, making hybrid bikes the most versatile choice for this particular trail. 

What makes this trail unique is its blend of urban convenience and natural features, with scenery alternating between quiet, creek-side stretches and more developed sections that pass through parks and neighborhoods. After heavy rains, small waterfalls form along the creek, creating unexpectedly scenic moments in the heart of the city.

Notable landmarks include Pease Park with its iconic "Thinker" art installation, Duncan Park and the House Park BMX facility, as well as several popular restaurants and coffee shops — perfect for casual social rides that include refreshment stops!

Mueller Lake Park Track

Distance: 1.3 miles (loop)

Location: East-central Austin, in the Mueller development

Bike type: All types, ideal for cruisers, hybrids and road bikes

Elevation change: Minimal, essentially flat

For residents of the Mueller neighborhood, this short but picturesque loop offers a convenient cycling option right outside your door! The wide, paved path circles Mueller Lake, providing scenic views and connecting to the broader Mueller street grid and trail system.

While modest in distance, the loop's location in one of Austin's most bike-friendly planned communities makes it a focal point for local cycling. The smooth surface accommodates all bike types and skill levels, making it particularly well-suited for families with young children and beginners.

What makes this path special is its integration into the community, as the trail connects directly to Mueller's network of bike lanes, the children's museum, farmers' market location and retail areas, creating a truly bike-centric neighborhood experience. The lake setting also attracts abundant birdlife, with the iconic Mueller sunflower art installation providing a perfect photo opportunity.

For Mueller residents, this trail represents just the starting point of an extensive bike-friendly infrastructure that makes car-free living a practical reality. The path also connects to the wider Austin trail network via the Cherrywood neighborhood, offering routes toward downtown and the University of Texas campus.

Lance Armstrong Bikeway

Distance: 6 miles (one way)

Location: Downtown Austin, from Shoal Creek Trail to Comal Street

Bike type: Road bikes, hybrids, commuter bikes

Elevation change: Moderate, with some street-level inclines

Named after Austin's controversial cycling son, the Lance Armstrong Bikeway represents the city's commitment to bicycle infrastructure. This east-west corridor cuts through downtown Austin, providing a designated route for cyclists navigating the urban core.

The bikeway features a combination of dedicated bike lanes, shared lanes and off-street paths, creating a continuous route across downtown. For cyclists based in the downtown Austin and 2nd Street District areas, this path offers a safer alternative to riding on major thoroughfares while also connecting to other trails like Shoal Creek and the Ann and Roy Butler Trail.

What makes this path unique is its focus on practical transportation rather than recreation — the bikeway connects key downtown destinations including the Convention Center, government buildings and entertainment districts, making it valuable for commuters and those running errands by bike.

Notable features include the distinctive green painted lanes in high-traffic areas and special bicycle traffic signals at major intersections. While not necessarily the most scenic of Austin's bike paths, the Armstrong Bikeway represents important infrastructure for those committed to car-free mobility in the urban core.

If you live anywhere in or near our luxury Austin apartments, these bike paths offer not just some fun recreation, but also access to a lifestyle choice that embraces outdoor activity, sustainable transportation methods and a connection to our natural world. From the downtown accessibility of the Ann and Roy Butler Trail to the challenging terrain of the Greenbelt, Austin's cycling infrastructure caters to every type of rider.

The city continues to invest in expanding this network, with plans for new trails and connections between existing paths. This commitment to cycling infrastructure enhances Austin's reputation as a forward-thinking city where alternative transportation is not just accommodated but encouraged.

Whether you're looking for a car-free commute option, a challenging weekend ride or just a pleasant way to explore your neighborhood, Austin's bike paths provide the perfect opportunity to experience the city from a different perspective. So grab your helmet, fill up your water bottle and discover why Austinites are so passionate about their two-wheeled adventures.

Have fun!

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Featured photo by James Toose on Unsplash

Second photo by Richard Burlton on Unsplash

Third photo by Ümit Yıldırım on Unsplash

Fourth photo by Murillo de Paula on Unsplash