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Southern Walnut Creek Trail
4.8 ★★★★★ 401 Google reviews · Running trail in Austin, Texas · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Paved
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Tree cover
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from Southern Walnut Creek Trail's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
Paved, well-maintained trail for cycling, hiking and dog-walking that passes through scenic areas and parks.
What runners say about Southern Walnut Creek Trail
“The path is well kept and typically free from debris and dog poop except after heavy rains (mud and creek runoff at times).”
“Beautiful ride, also great for hiking running, and walking!”
“You will pass through some heavily treed and shady areas and also be exposed on other parts of the trail.”
Great hiking and biking trail with tree coverage along a big part of it for shade. What’s great about this trail is that it’s completely stand-alone and you don’t have to worry about traffic. Great views of the city skyline towards the end!
Summary: Bring water, limited parking in the morning, unfortunately lots of garbage in the creek. Great place to ride otherwise. Details: You can get in about 24 miles round trip currently and the trail is being expanded.
This paved path is tree-lined for most of the trail and kept well maintained most of the year. When starting from Govalle park, the first 4 miles are relatively flat and good for beginning cyclists. The big hill around mile 6 can be challenging and provides a good workout.
I've biked and rode my one wheel here, both times were great. Trail is paved and clean easy to get to. There are little side trails you can ride or walk around in around the dense tree areas. Haven't seen this place yet very busy at all.
Trail conditions & character
“It’s a paved path basically the whole way with marks on the path letting you know when you’ve reach each half mile mark.”
“Beautiful ride, also great for hiking running, and walking!”
“It is a gorgeous trail it's not that difficult, not a lot of steep grades but some really fun downhilling.”
“You will pass through some heavily treed and shady areas and also be exposed on other parts of the trail.”
“The path is well kept and typically free from debris and dog poop except after heavy rains (mud and creek runoff at times).”
“When starting from Govalle park, the first 4 miles are relatively flat and good for beginning cyclists.”
Plan your run at Southern Walnut Creek Trail
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- SurfacePaved — asphalt or concrete. Fast and predictable, runnable year-round, and fine with a stroller
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeRunners describe real tree cover here — it makes a summer afternoon workable
- DogsWelcome, per reviewers. Leash rules vary by park — the trailhead sign is the authority.
- Websiteaustintexas.gov
Hours
| Monday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Tuesday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Wednesday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Thursday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Friday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Saturday | 5 AM–10 PM |
| Sunday | 5 AM–10 PM |
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