- Difficulty: Easy
- Terrain: Paved, dedicated two-way path
- Distance: 13 mile out-and-back
- Starting & end points: Govalle Neighborhood Park (Austin, TX) to Ben Fisher Park (Manor, TX)
Otto’s Greenway is a 26-mile out-and-back (13 miles one way), paved, dedicated hike and bike route that connects the Walnut Creek Trail series and the Austin to Manor Trail. Otto’s Greenway is a 26-mile out-and-back (13 miles one way), paved, dedicated hike and bike route that connects the Walnut Creek Trail series and the Austin to Manor Trail.
While not an official Austin Parks Department trail name, “Otto’s Greenway” is the name the Otto on the Trail community has given to this series of interconnected paved trails, which begin at the Govalle Neighborhood Park and run all the way to the City of Manor’s Ben Fisher Park. This is the first time these trails have been described as a single, continuous route: one of Austin’s hidden biking gems, and the longest paved hike-and-bike trail in all of Austin.
With only a few road crossings and a 10-foot wide, 2-way path, Otto’s Greenway provides a largely uninterrupted and safe route for cyclists and joggers.
This path has several trailheads and parking lots, providing several access points for those wanting a shorter route. Otto’s Greenway starts at Govalle Park next to Otto on the Trail apartments, whereby residents have direct access to the greenway.
“This [trail system] is one of Austin’s hidden gems,” Keith Buchanan, founder of Buchanan Capital Partners and the developer behind Otto on the Trail, said. “The parks department did something really special here, and most Austinites still do not fully know it exists. If the city tried to recreate this kind of fully paved trail and park system today, it would likely cost well over $20 million.”
In Remembrance of Dr Otto Friedrich Jr
Otto’s Greenway is named after Dr. Otto Friedrich, Jr, a Research Engineer and Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at UT Austin, where his career lasted 48 years. Dr. Friedrich was a fixture in East Austin and a longtime steward of the adjacent Govalle Neighborhood Park, and both Otto on the Trail and the and the newly dubbed Otto’s Greenway pay homage to the long-time Austinite.
Upon passing in 2016, Dr. Friedrich’s 14.8-acre home estate became contested by residents and developers over plans to turn the land into a multi-family home development. Despite debates, The City of Austin opted to turn this land into a multifamily apartment building to provide more affordable housing to Austin.
This land, located at 1125 Shady Lane, had direct access to Southern Walnut Creek Trail and was officially developed and branded as Otto on the Trail apartments in 2026.
Trailheads and Marking Points
These distinct trailheads create a 13-mile one-way route of consistent paved terrain, which we refer to as Otto’s Greenway. Guide yourself along Otto’s Greenway with this list of trailheads and marking points, starting from Govalle Neighborhood Park in Austin to Ben Fisher Park in Manor, TX.
Govalle Neighborhood Park to Jain Lane
Otto’s Greenway beings at Govalle Neighborhood Park next to Otto on the Trail. There is public parking available along Shady Lane, and at the Govalle Neighborhood Pool – across the park from Otto On The Trail. You’ll start on Walnut Creek Trail going east toward Jain Lane. This will be the only street crossing until Loyola Lane.
Jain Lane Trailhead to 183 Trailhead
After crossing Jain Lane, a bridge crosses over a slim waterfall from a tributary of Boggy Creek. The path then meanders through heavily wooded green far from city traffic, going in and out through shade then greeted by the first mile marker near the first underpass at the 183 Toll.
183 Trailhead to Garden View Drive Trailhead
Many parts of the path are wide and fenced off – so no worries of falling off the trail into the wood.
From the 183, you’ll ride under a railroad traveling north along Walnut Creek, through the MLK underpass, and near a few athletic fields.
The Garden View trailhead marker is within a residential neighborhood without a dedicated parking lot. If street parking is not available, park instead at the 51st street and YMCA trailhead and follow the paved path going east which then accesses the larger Walnut Creek Trail.
Garden View Trailhead to Loyola Lane
After Garden View Drive, the trail continues north. There is a dirt parking lot and trailhead near Loyola Lane, offering another meeting point. You will ride under Loyola Lane, avoiding traffic, and continue again along the paved pathway undulating through wood and farmland.
Near Loyola Lane is a small offshoot dirt trail, closer to the water. This is a nice place to explore, especially if you have pets.
Loyola Lane to Johnny Morris Road
The trail begins to move far away from city life, making it the most peaceful part of the ride. You may run into native ferns and deer.
Once you cross Johnny Morris Road, you will have reached the 7.5-mile mark. There is no underpass here but there is a pedestrian crossing.
Johnny Morris Road to Ben Fisher Park
Upon crossing Johnny Morris Road, the dedicated bike path runs alongside Daffan Lane, which then crosses Decker Lane, past Decker Tallgrass Prairie Preserve, and across Lindell Lane, remaining largely unshaded on the entire portion of the route.
You’ll take the underpass of highway 130 and shortly find yourself surrounded by farmland and Texas wildflowers like Prairie Coneflowers and American Basketflowers.
Otto’s Greenway ends at Ben Fisher Park in Manor, TX.
Live with Direct Trail Access to Otto’s Greenway
If you’re looking for an apartment with direct park and trail access in Austin, check out Otto on the Trail, East Austin’s newest luxury apartment community.
Otto on the Trail offers studio, one, and two-bedroom apartment homes with modern features and highly desirable amenities for East Austin, including a bike garage and a repair station, a shaded and tree-covered dog park, a resort-style pool and lounge, outdoor kitchens, pickleball, and covered coworking and dining spaces.
Explore our apartments at Otto on the Trail today!