If you’re a cyclist or hiker in Austin, you live steps from miles of scenic paths. At Otto on the Trail, brand-new apartments offer trailside living connected to nature and the lively community of East Austin. With direct trail access, outdoor gathering spaces, a pickle ball court, and preserved green spaces, we make apartment living supportive of an active lifestyle.
Austin is a city made for exploring. There’s no better way to do it than on two wheels through some of the scenic greenery and beginner-friendly loops that the city has to offer. From the rugged limestone of Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt, to the wooded greens of the Southern Walnut Creek Trail, to the buzzing loops near Lady Bird Lake, there are options for beginners and seasoned mountain riders.
Otto’s Greenway
- Distance: 13 miles, one-way, 26 miles round trip
- Elevation: Mostly flat, ~400 ft
- Terrain: 10 to 12-foot wide, fully paved multi-use path – Longest paved path in Austin
- Location: Govalle Neighborhood Park – 5200 Bolm Road
Otto’s Greenway is our name for the connected route that links a series of East Austin trail segments, starting from Govalle Neighborhood Park and running north and east toward Ben Fisher Park in Manor, TX. At roughly 13 miles end to end, it’s the longest continuous paved trail in town. The name is a nod to Otto Friedrich, who owned this land beginning in 1975, when much of the site was an East Austin tree farm. Many of those heritage trees have been preserved on the grounds of Otto on the Trail today, tying the community’s name and landscape back to the property’s roots.
This 10-feet wide trail passes along East Boggy Creek, Walnut Creek, and through several parks along the way. This trail is perfect for cyclists and runners as it travels along mostly paved concrete paths through thickets of trees providing shade and seclusion from city streets.
Southern Walnut Creek Trail
- Distance: 7.3 miles, one-way
- Elevation: 400 ft
- Terrain: Mostly paved with dirt paths
- Location: Govalle Neighborhood Park
The Southern Walnut Creek Trail is beautiful and quiet. Starting at Govalle Neighborhood Park and going east along Boggy Creek, you go across railroad tracks, through greens and open grass, under Loyola Bridge, and end north at Austin Tennis Center. This trail is the central segment of Otto’s Greenway, our connected Govalle-to-Manor route.
The best trails feel away from the city and shaped by nature. On Southern Walnut Creek Trail, you can bike and walk on wide paved paths while ensconced within trees and shrubbery. There are offshoot dirt trails too that are perfect for mountain biking.
Bike along the creek, have a picnic along the way, and stop at Davis White Northeast District Park for a break. Fortunately, there won’t be any cars nearby and the trail is wide, but keep an eye out for walking folks!
If you’re a cyclist or outdoor enthusiast, Otto on the Trail apartments are located right at the trailhead, giving you direct access to the trail’s many beloved features.
Barton Creek Greenbelt
- Distance: 7 miles, one-way
- Elevation: 546 ft
- Terrain: Dirt, rugged
- Location: Zilker Park
Barton Creek Greenbelt is a bit more difficult of a trail. It starts at Zilker Park and runs through forest along Barton Creek. Best for sight-seeing, Barton Creek Greenbelt features several scenic stops and entry points including Twin Falls, Campbell’s Hole, and Gus Fruh.
While the trail starts on a paved path, it becomes rocky after about a mile. You’ll find cliffs, swimming holes, and even a few endangered species while biking along the creek. While scenic, this trail might not be suitable for beginners to bike on. There are multiple entry points too, making Barton Creek easy to access.
Roy and Ann Butler Hike and Bike Trail
Credit: “Lady Bird Lake From a Bridge (Butler Trail) 1” by Cesar’s iPhoneography is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.
- Distance: 10 miles, loop
- Elevation: 249 ft
- Terrain: Gravel, some paved, some boardwalk
- Location: Lady Bird Lake
Located in downtown Austin at Lady Bird Lake, the Roy and Ann Butler Hike and Bike Trail is where you’ll find runners, walkers, and cyclists enjoying the outdoors within the heart of the city.
This is a very easy trail to ride. It gets crowded with walkers and runners on the weekend, so this is ride is best done on a weekday or early morning on weekends.
You’ll get a sight of the water, the Steve Ray Vaughan statue, the Fannie Davis Town Lake Gazebo, and downtown’s bustling buildings. Take a ride on this beautiful, easy trail then grab coffee along the boardwalk.
Maxwell Trail
- Distance: 5.4 miles, loop
- Elevation: 213 ft
- Terrain: Gravel, some rocky trail
- Location: Southwest Austin, 9900 FM 1826, Austin, TX 78739
Located 15 miles southwest of Austin, Maxwell Trail is a mostly narrow, dirt loop near Slaughter Creek. It’s open to hikers, cyclists, and horseback, but no dogs are allowed.
Spanning miles of open land, this bike trail surrounds you with the peace and quiet of nature. It’s protected by the City’s Water Quality Protection Land, so it is closed during and after rain. Beautiful native grasses spread through a savannah ecosystem flourish in this land.
Maxwell Trail is also known for limestone formations. It sits on top of the Edwards Plateau, an expansive bedrock of limestone that acts as a filter to the underlying aquifer.
As a note before you go: Mountain bikers ride in a clockwise direction.
Violet Crown Trail
Credit: “Violet Crown Trail Connector” by Austin Transportation and Public Works is marked with Public Domain Mark 1.0.
- Distance
- Mile Zero Trailhead to 290 Trailhead: 5 miles, one-way
- Whirlpool Trailhead to La Crosse Avenue: 3.6 mi, one-way
- Elevation: 480-780 ft
- Terrain
- Mile Zero Trailhead to 290 Trailhead: gravel, rocky
- Whirlpool Trailhead to La Crosse Avenue: gravel, paved
- Location: Zilker Park (start)
Violet Crown Trail is a project by The City of Austin and the Hill Country Conservancy to create a recreational 30 mile path through various Austin terrain from Zilker Park to Hays County. As of May 2026, 13 miles are complete. Though, not all sections are best for bike-riding.
The southern section of the trail which is from Convict Hill Road to Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center is good for standard gravel bikes. The terrain is mostly stone and paved paths, about 3.6 miles long.
The North section from Mile Zero Trailhead to 290 Trailhead has a bit more rocky terrain with sharp curves and is more suited toward mountain bikers. Nevertheless, this is a fun biking path!
If you’re looking for a more even terrain for road bikers, heading north from Whirlpool Trailhead to La Crosse Avenue is a good bet. At the starting point is Whirlpool Cave, a small enclosure that acts as a good meeting point for bikers. Along the way, you’ll encounter Dick Nichols District Park, Slaughter Creek, and pass Circle C Ranch Metropolitan Park. But, be sure not to cross over to the Veloway at the end of your route.
Shoal Creek Trail
Credit: “Lucas on the Shoal Creek trail through downtown Austin” by Lars Plougmann is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
- Distance: 3.25 miles, one-way
- Elevation: 173 ft
- Terrain: Concrete, gravel, dirt
- Location: Lady Bird Lake (south end) / 38th Street (north end)
Shoal Creek Trail runs from Lady Bird Lake to 38th street near the Medical Center in Hyde Park. It’s broken up by sections: Downtown, Pease Park, 24th street, and 31st street to the end point. Each section has a different difficulty, but is overall easy for most mountain bikers or road cyclists.
For urban mountain bikers, we’d recommend coming from the northern end of the trail because it’s the most fun. After biking through Split Rock Canyon, the trail declines and becomes easier to navigate.
Here is a map of the trail to visualize your ride.
Veloway
Credit: “Image” by Gideon Tsang is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
- Distance: 3 miles, loop
- Elevation: 114 ft
- Terrain: Concrete
- Location: Veloway Park, 4900 La Crosse Ave, Austin, TX 78739
The Veloway is where cyclists can safely ride concrete roads away from car traffic. It’s 23’ wide and about 5K meters long, allowing for cyclists, skaters, E-bikers, and wheelchair riders to exercise comfortably.
This bikeway is notably well-maintained with nature, restrooms, and water fountains. No walkers or pets are allowed, creating the perfect year-round track for those cycling recreationally or for training.
Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt
Credit: “Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt Trail Austin Texas 2022” by Larry D. Moore is licensed under CC BY 4.0.
- Distance: 5 miles, loop or out-and-back
- Elevation: 550 feet
- Terrain: Limestone, rock garden, dirt, creek
- Location: Bull Creek District Park
The Bull Creek Greenbelt trails start from the Bull Creek Preserve, a protected ecological area designed to preserve the endangered Golden-cheeked Warbler and Black capped Vireo. The Upper and Lower Greenbelt trails offer scenic hiking and biking, but the Lower portion accommodates bikers in a more flat and wide path.
The Lower Bull Creek Greenbelt can be accomplished as an out-and-back trail or as a small loop. Riding here is better for mountain bikers than road cyclists. It’s very scenic with a beautiful waterfall, lots of rock gardens and picturesque grottos. On the upper portion, you’ll reach Orion Falls, a little off-path but scenic if you take your water shoes and dismount to take a peek!
To access the path, you can park at Bull Creek District Park’s Main south lot.
Boggy Creek Greenbelt
- Distance: 1.6 miles
- Elevation: 518 feet
- Terrain: Concrete, asphalt
- Location: Capital Metro MLK Station
Boggy Creek Greenbelt, located in East Austin along Boggy Creek near Rosewood Neighborhood Park, is a scenic, easy bike trail within the Capital Metro’s Red Line Trail network. It starts at MLK Station Neighborhood Park then runs along the Capital MetroRail tracks on the west side, passing through parks and grassy areas. This is a peaceful, easy bike ride that can be done there-and-back for a 3.2 mile ride.
Boggy Creek Greenbelt is a dual-track trail, allowing for cyclists to ride without running into pedestrians.
View a map here to see your ride.
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