Return to Ann and Roy Butler Hike & Bike Trail

it was crowded
User: jimmy peace - 9/29/2019  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 6.00 Miles Duration: 4 hours, 20 minutes

started out early, problem is most of the bikers do not tell you they are coming up on a walker, .. and still dog owners let their dogs crap and not pick it up

Quieter Walk from Roy G Guerrero Park, Awesome Boardwalk
User: plectrudis - 11/7/2016  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 4.01 Miles Duration: N/A

I've started doing the Ann & Roy Butler hike-n-bike trail on the south side of the lake, starting E of I-35 at the Roy G Guerrero Park. This has a couple of advantages:

(1) It's a heck of a lot less crowded than the main stretch of the trail, east of Mopac, with a somewhat more chill vibe.

(2) You get to walk on the lovely boardwalks that the city constructed over the lake.  

You can get an ~4-mile walk between Guerrero Park and East Bouldin Creek, including some really nice lake and city views.  Not a lot of shade, but for an after-work walk, that's not so important.

Great for runs. Get there early!
User: heatharcadia - 2/21/2016  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 10.27 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 52 minutes

My dad, his friend, and I all met up at this trail to run this morning. We parked under Mopac (them along the street, me in the parking lot that is reserved for Austin High during the week) around 6:30 am on a Sunday and while there were many cars already it wasn't full close to full. When we finished nearly two hours later, this had changed: It was packed in the area we had parked. Needless to say, this isn't a place to go for solitude, but I like it because it's fun to see everyone out enjoying the area differently (walking, running/jogging, biking, boating).

Our mileage varies from the one shown on here because with the addition of the Boardwalk we were able to run all the way to Pleasant Valley and cross on the dam. After crossing the dam is the area with a couple of murals (mentioned above), so it's worth it to do these extra miles, both for the fitness and the sights.

The trail is easy, mostly granite gravel with a few paved parts. It's really nice to run on. There are a lot of neat sights, such as good vantage points of the downtown skyline, sculptures, the Stevie statue, and and some cool graffiti murals.

Convenient & Pretty, But Crowded
User: plectrudis - 11/29/2015  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 1point5stars Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A

We walked from Mopac to S 1st and back again--a very pretty hike--the bridges offer lovely views of downtown.  But the trail is REALLY popular, to a degree that can be rather off-putting.  

However, for those looking to squeeze in an after-work hike before sundown during the short days of winter, it's too convenient to pass up. And if you're a woman hiking alone, those crowds do represent safety, so that's a plus as well.  

Great new boardwalk area.
User: Eveline - 6/28/2014  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1point5stars Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 6.20 Miles Duration: N/A

We did not walk the complete loop.   We walked from the Congress Street Bridge to Pleasant Valley Road.  About a fourth of the distance of that on a boardwalk.

My annual hike & bike b-day loop!
User: voolevoonye - 2/21/2014  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: 1star
Distance: 10.43 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 14 minutes

This has become a b-day tradition - taking a day off from the office and going to explore the good old hike & bike trail. I usually start at Deep Eddy or under MoPac bridge, cross to the south bank, cross again on Pleasant Valley bridge, and get back to Depp Eddy. The new boardwalk was not open yet when I did my 2014 loop (that was in February), but I read online it will be open June 2014. I love this trail; it was the first I hiked when I came to Austin back in 2002 and it's always nice to come back, even just for a short section, either for a run or a ride or a walk!

Great Long Hike
User: sswright84@gmaill.com - 4/13/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 1point5stars Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 10.50 Miles Duration: N/A
User: ValEpiscopo - 4/7/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 1star Difficulty: 1star Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 15 minutes
Hiked loop from Mopac trail head to Lamar bridge. Dusty. Good place to go after rain.
Walked it again
User: Eveline - 3/30/2013  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 6.20 Miles Duration: N/A

This time we walked it with our kids.

Did another loop around the lake.
User: Eveline - 7/7/2012  [View Log Page]
Rating: 2point5stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 6.20 Miles Duration: N/A

Just learned they changed the name of the lake from Town Lake to Lady Bird Johnson Lake.  Trail is still the same great trail no matter what the name.

User: crocodile235 - 10/1/2011  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 7.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Holly Shores and Festival Beach
User: fiftyandfat - 1/16/2011  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 3.00 Miles Duration: N/A

Was rainy all weekend so hiked Lady Bird Lake. Adding goal of hiking all of Lady Bird Lake trail to my 'to do' list for this year!

Easy walk--who hasn't done this yet?
User: swedegirl5 - 2/1/2010  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 1star
Distance: 3.20 Miles Duration: 55 minutes

Enjoyed watching the winter water birds, especially the swans.  I haven't walked Lady Bird Lake in a long time because it is usually so crowded.  This month, however, I am going to take a different hike/walk a day, all over Austin. This is an easy place to start and get into the mood--I have been inside a gym too long!

Great!
User: texaskdog - 10/22/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 4stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 1star
Distance: 5.00 Miles Duration: 1 hour, 35 minutes

Originally thought it was a bit overrated, but youre always seeing water and a beautiful view of Austin. 

I love austin
User: TristanPieper - 4/21/2009  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 2stars Solitude: 2stars
Distance: 7.20 Miles Duration: 3 hours, 35 minutes

Anyone who ever omes to Austin should always hike this trail once before leaving.

family hike
User: Marshall - 11/1/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 2stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 1star
Distance: 7.20 Miles Duration: 4 hours

took my wife and kids, there are a lot of people on trail and around lake but it was a nice day hike great weather.bring your dog or you can rent a kayak by the hour

Short walk with my dad
User: Riff Raff - 9/28/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 1star
Distance: 3.20 Miles Duration: 2 hours

My father was in town and wanted to go on a short walk, so we went from Mopac to the Lamar foot bridge (and I then walked back to pick up the car while he browsed at Book People).  Some more interesting sounds than usual, since the Austin City Limits festival was playing on the opposite shore.  Apart from that, the usual hectic trail activity.

Great trail with lots of activity
User: Eveline - 6/28/2008  [View Log Page]
Rating: 2point5stars Difficulty: halfstar Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 6.20 Miles Duration: N/A

You are never alone if you walk during the daytime.

Circled Town Lake
User: Eveline - 7/14/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 6.20 Miles Duration: N/A

This was a well traveled route, lots of joggers, bikes, dogs, and people of all speeds.  LOL. 

Love it!
User: aggiehiker - 2/16/2007  [View Log Page]
Rating: 5stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: 1star
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A
My favorite trail for a Saturday morning. Go run for a 4 miles and then stop off at the Farmers Market on Congress. Not really a hiking trail per se, more of a trendy place to work out and enjoy Austin.
Nice Training
User: big tex - 5/30/2006  [View Log Page]
Rating: N/A Difficulty: N/A Solitude: N/A
Distance: 7.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Good for running, biking, walking, general training. check out the bats under Congress Street Bridge.
Less traveled areas
User: Riff Raff - 5/26/2006  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 4.00 Miles Duration: N/A
Had a class get cancelled today, so took a spur of the moment walk around the lake. Went from South 1st Street to I-35 and back, which was a nice change of pace from the areas that I usually see on this trail. Stuck to the north side of the lake for the section between Congress and I-35, to avoid being bumped onto sidewalks and such.
The Expressway
User: Riff Raff - 5/11/2006  [View Log Page]
Rating: 2stars Difficulty: 1star Solitude: halfstar
Distance: 4.10 Miles Duration: N/A
Had been awhile since I'd been here, so went from the Mopac bridge to South 1st and back. If you like watching people I'm sure this would be an excellent walk for you, as there is never a shortage of people around you. Parts of the trail near Neff Point are closed currently for renovations (and will apparently reopen after May), so the trail was detoured through Zilker from the narrow gauge train crossing over to the footbridge.
National Trails Symposium
User: Eveline - 10/22/2004  [View Log Page]
Rating: 3stars Difficulty: 1point5stars Solitude: 1star
Distance: 6.20 Miles Duration: N/A
We hiked the downriver section of the trail. I had never been that way before.

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