GUIDE
A guide to hiking in the Texas Hill Country
WORTH THE TRIP Government Canyon State Natural Area
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Located just northwest of San Antonio near Helotes, Government Canyon State Natural Area o ers more than 40 miles of hiking and biking trails that cross from easy rolling grassland hikes to rugged canyons. Some trails are for hikers only, and others accommodate trail running and mountain biking. Camping, picnick- ing and bird watching are all available at the historic site, which features the only dinosaur footprints in Bexar County. The name stems from the 1850s, when soldiers from Fort Sam Houston laid a military supply route through it to connect to western forts. H B E 112861 Galm Road, San Antonio www.tpwd.texas.gov
Dry Comal Creek
COURTESY COMAL TRAILS ALLIANCE
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COMPILED BY ERIC WEILBACHER With more than 8 miles of hiking and biking trails within New Braunfels, the city and neighboring areas o er a plethora of options for getting out and enjoying nature at one’s own pace. Within New Braunfels and Comal County, the nonpro t Comal Trails Alliance creates and maintains the trails along with providing educational opportunities and resources. This list is noncomprehensive. SOURCES: CITY OF NEW BRAUNFELS, COMAL TRAILS ALLIANCE, GUADALUPE BLANCO RIVER AUTHORITY COMMUNITY IMPACT
Panther Canyon
COURTESY COMAL TRAILS ALLIANCE
KEY
H Hiking
B Biking
E Elevation gains
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New Braunfels 1 County Line Memorial Trail
of the park’s 62 acres is reserved as a native blackland prairie that provides sanctuary as a migratory pathway for birds, butter ies and other wildlife, according to the city. Distance: 2+ miles H B E 1935 Hilltop Summit Road, New Braunfels www.nbtexas.org/3379/Fischer-Park 4 Panther Canyon Located near the headwaters of the Comal Springs in Landa Park, Panther Canyon trail crosses a dry creek bed in a forested area of live oak, Ashe juniper, cedar, elm and Mexican buckeye as it ascends the Balcones Escarpment to the Edwards Plateau. Distance: 1 mile H E Located near the intersection of Ohio Street and Landa Park Drive, New Braunfels www.comaltrails.org/trails/panther-canyon
This linear, paved trail runs along and near the border of Guadalupe and Comal counties, and o ers benches and rest areas along the path. Distance: 2.18 miles H B Extends from County Line Road near FM 1044 to FM 725, New Braunfels www.comaltrails.org/trails/county-line- memorial-trail 2 Dry Comal Creek Trail Winding through several di erent habitats within the city, this trail o ers a variety of vegetation to admire from various thick forested areas to savannas. Distance: 2.25 miles H B Located o Loop 337 southeast of Landa Street near the little league baseball elds, New Braunfels www.comaltrails.org/trails/dry-comal-creek 3 Fischer Park The 62-acre park o ers more than 2 miles of greenway trails winding through its shing ponds and lush native elds. More than half
Government Canyon
Canyon Lake Gorge
COURTESY TEXAS PARKS AND WILDLIFE
COURTESY GUADALUPE BLANCO RIVER AUTHORITY
9 Old Hancock Trail This trail follows the lake line of Canyon Lake and has very little elevation change, making it an easy, relaxed hike or bike. Horseback riding also is allowed on this trail. Distance: 3.5 miles H B Located at the end Hancock Road, Canyon Lake www.comaltrails.org 10 Guadalupe River State Park Situated along the Guadalupe River, this state park o ers more than 13 miles of hiking and biking trails to explore, leading to a scenic overlook of the river. Distance: various trails range from 0.32.86 miles H B E 3350 Park Road 31, Spring Branch www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/ guadalupe-river 11 Curry Nature Center This loop is under a mile and considered easy for hiking and walking near Canyon Lake. Distance: 0.9 miles H 1889 Skyline Drive, Canyon Lake www.comaltrails.org/curry-nature-center
H 601 Coe Road, Canyon Lake www.comaltrails.org 6 Canyon Lake Gorge
Created from the ood of 2002, which set o a torrent of water that breached the dam, the Canyon Lake Gorge o ers a lesson in the his- tory and geology of the Texas Hill Country and the exposed Trinity Aquifer. Tickets for guided and self-guided tours are available from the Guadalupe-Blanco River Authority. Distance: 1.3 miles H E 16029 S. Access Road, Canyon Lake
Comal County 5 Canyon Lake Dam
www.canyongorgetours.com 7 Guadalupe River Trail
The Canyon Lake Dam trail o ers great views of Canyon Lake and the Hill Country on an easy, 1-mile round-trip jaunt. Distance: 1 mile
This moderately di cult trail runs along the Guadalupe River, where it exits Canyon Lake and begins its way toward New Braunfels. It is popular for both hiking and biking. Distance: 1.8 miles H B E 16510 S. Access Road, Canyon Lake
Trail visitors should be prepared before their hikes or excursions with adequate supplies for hydration,
www.comaltrails.org 8 Madrone Trail
protection from the outdoor elements and other essentials. In almost all these hiking areas, uneven surfaces and slick rocks are common, and encounters are possible with snakes, bees, wasps and mosquitoes. Hikers should bring or have available:
A rocky and demanding trail, the Madrone is popular among mountain biking enthusiasts for its rapid changes in elevation and obstacles. Distance: 7.6 miles H B E 1769 Canyon Park Road, Canyon Lake www.comaltrails.org
Scan the QR code to view a detailed map of the hiking trails in Comal County.
Water
Food
Proper shoes
Sun protection
Insulation
Bug spray Socks
SOURCE: NATIONAL PARK SERVICE, COMAL TRAILS ALLIANCE COMMUNITY IMPACT
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COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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