The region surrounding the Texas capital of Austin is referred to as the “Hill Country,” so it stands to reason that this area of the Lone Star State provides ample opportunities for challenging and picturesque hiking excursions. These six hiking routes can all be found within 50 miles of the Austin city center—with difficulty levels ranging from easy to truly strenuous—and fans of natural beauty will find plenty of views to keep them engaged on every single trail listed here.

River Place Nature Trail - Far West Austin

If you view hiking as a fitness opportunity above all else, then you’ll find your match in the River Place Nature Trail, located in far west Austin (just a brief drive from the popular Steiner Ranch master-planned community).  This 5.5-mile trail is favored by adventure-seeking Austinites training for mountain climbs, and its multiple vertiginous slopes (complete with staircases) make it a smart move for those types of intense practice hikes.

This challenging trek does come with visual rewards. The trail courses past waterfalls, several clear ponds and pools, and plenty of intriguing rock ledges, and it offers sweeping views of the Hill Country at its highest points. The path is also dog-friendly if you prefer to hike alongside your four-legged friend. Hikers can gain access to the River Place Nature Trail by paying a $10 fee per adult hiker (and a $10 fee per dog), but kids under 12 are welcome to hike for free.

Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve - West Lake Hills

Attention all birdwatchers and nature enthusiasts: Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve gives visitors abundant opportunities to scope out local wildlife, colorful blooms, and soaring trees. It's located within Austin city limits but on the border of West Lake Hills, a Travis County suburb beloved by affluent ATX commuters.

From a geological perspective, Wild Basin Wilderness Preserve has plenty to recommend it. It can be found on the Balcones Fault Line, a surface area “disrupted” by a past earthquake that now features unique and beautiful caves and stone formations. The preserve includes several different trail routes, giving visitors the option to design their own experience. None of the trails involve significant levels of difficulty, making Wild Basin a strong pick for a leisurely solo hike or an outing for the whole family (minus your dog, as Wild Basin is a dog-free area). Admission to the preserve is free, but Wild Basin does accept donations.

Barton Creek Greenbelt - Barton Hills

Zilker Park is widely considered Austin’s most famous public greenspace, thanks to its host status for outdoor events like Austin City Limits and the ABC Kite Fest. It’s also the starting point for the Barton Creek Greenbelt Trail, a 12-mile running, hiking, and cycling route with 7 distinct legs.

Hikers tend to gravitate to the sections near the Greenbelt’s main access point, which provide hiking routes to scenic regions of the park like Twin Falls and Sculpture Falls. If you make it to the end of the Greenbelt trail system, you’ll find a section fittingly called “Trail’s End,” which counts among the most challenging and steep segments in the park.

Should you choose a hot summer day for your Barton Creek Greenbelt excursion, you’ll be glad to know that the trail network courses past a number of swimming holes ideal for a quick cooldown dip. The trails in the Barton Creek Greenbelt can be accessed free of charge.

McKinney Falls State Park - Southeast Austin

For a hiking adventure within city limits that nonetheless feels like a visit to another world, head to McKinney Falls State Park in Southeast Austin and hit the hiking trails. McKinney Falls includes 7 distinct hiking paths, each with its own unique features.

Arguably the most popular McKinney Falls hiking trail is the Onion Creek and Homestead Trail Loop, a 6.5-mile route that offers views of two waterfalls. It’s a dog-friendly path that calls for an intermediate skill level; many stretches of the path are paved and easy for hiking beginners, but the deeper sections involve dirt foundations and more inclines. If the goal for your hike involves coming across beautiful natural landmarks, then don’t miss “Old Baldy,” a stunning bald cypress tree with an estimated age of over 500 years. Park visitors can gain access for an entry fee of $6 per day.

Pedernales Falls State Park - Johnson City

Looking for a trail system with lots of variety? Then head to Johnson City, a town about 40 miles southeast of Austin, and pay a visit to Pedernales Falls State Park, where you’ll find over 15 hiking trails with varying degrees of difficulty. Forests, rock formations, waterfalls, swimming holes—Pedernales Falls has them all.

One of the longest paths in the park (and the longest specifically dedicated to hiking) is the Juniper Ridge Trail, offering picturesque views and a great cardio workout. Pedernales Falls State Park charges $6 per person for access.

Milton Reimers Ranch Park - Dripping Springs

With its abundance of breweries, distilleries, restaurants, and bars, Dripping Springs counts among the Hill Country’s most beloved destinations. It’s also a prime spot for hikers, thanks to Milton Reimers Ranch Park.

This nature preserve is home to a 13.2-mile loop trail, which welcomes hikers and their dogs (as long as the dogs remain on-leash). It’s a moderate-level trail with waterfront views, wildflower clusters, and a few notable rock formations and caves. Admission to this park costs $10 per hiker for the entire day.